Looks like the Main Stream Media is starting to wake up - and realize the R2 is a home run!

[Wilber]

This article mentions two big advantages of the R2: 1. It looks and is shaped like a 'normal' SUV, instead of the blob shape of the Model Y. 2. Every bit as efficient as Model Y.
https://www.thestreet.com/automotive/rivian-just-achieved-something-tesla-has-long-dominated

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[Jeremy3292]

The article seems to written by someone with little knowledge of EVs as they assume EPA ratings are the end-all be-all. The Model Y will absolutely crush the R2 at highway speeds in terms of range. That’s not an opinion; that’s just simple physics. Much larger frontal area + much worse COD = much worse range for R2. The R2 is impressive and Rivian should be commended, but the truth should also be stated. EPA ratings are meaningless data points to real world life.

 

[Wilber]

The article seems to written by someone with little knowledge of EVs as they assume EPA ratings are the end-all be-all. The Model Y will absolutely crush the R2 at highway speeds in terms of range. That’s not an opinion; that’s just simple physics. Much larger frontal area + much worse COD = much worse range for R2. The R2 is impressive and Rivian should be commended, but the truth should also be stated. EPA ratings are meaningless data points to real world life.

I know what you mean, and that is what i typically think as well. and you may be right. BUT, I suspect the engineering at Rivian is superior to Tesla so other aspects of the car make up for the increased CD of the R2. The folks at InsideEVs agree with me. But of course, a month from now we will have some real world data from new owners and really know the score. https://insideevs.com/news/792230/rivian-r2-epa-range-efficiency/

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

I know what you mean, and that is what i typically think as well. and you may be right. BUT, I suspect the engineering at Rivian is superior to Tesla so other aspects of the car make up for the increased CD of the R2. The folks at InsideEVs agree with me. But of course, a month from now we will have some real world data from new owners and really know the score. https://insideevs.com/news/792230/rivian-r2-epa-range-efficiency/

I cannot stand Tesla. That said, their engineering is superb from an efficiency perspective.

 

[Wilber]

I cannot stand Tesla. That said, their engineering is superb from an efficiency perspective.

Yes, their engineering used to be superb. I owned a few Teslas in my time. BUT, as we know things change fast in the EV world. And I suspect Tesla has had a hard time attracting and retaining top talent the last 2 years due to the behavior of the CEO. Rivian has plenty of former Tesla engineers on board. And, have you noticed how efficient BMW's new iX3 is? I think BMW and Rivian have proved the Tesla monopoly on efficiency is over.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Yes, their engineering used to be superb. I owned a few Teslas in my time. BUT, as we know things change fast in the EV world. And I suspect Tesla has had a hard time attracting and retaining top talent the last 2 years due to the behavior of the CEO. Rivian has plenty of former Tesla engineers on board.

To be frank, that is wild speculation influenced heavily by personal opinions and not really grounded in reality.

 

[SANZC02]

I cannot stand Tesla. That said, their engineering is superb from an efficiency perspective.

From an effeciency standpoint point the Lucid tech is king. Hard to believe there were real world test getting to 4.4 miles per kWh with the Air. Not bad for a car the size of a Model S.

I think the R2 will surprise people in the efficiency.

I just finished a drive a few days ago ( SoCal to Florida Panhandle) in my R1S G1 Quad. Averaged 2.34 over the drive doing following speed limits 65, 70, and 75 (did 77 on the 80 mph sections). Had driver plus engaged in conserve low on most highway stretches. I think one of the last updates did something with conserve, last trip about a year ago over the same roads I got 2.2.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I know what you mean, and that is what i typically think as well. and you may be right. BUT, I suspect the engineering at Rivian is superior to Tesla so other aspects of the car make up for the increased CD of the R2. The folks at InsideEVs agree with me. But of course, a month from now we will have some real world data from new owners and really know the score. https://insideevs.com/news/792230/rivian-r2-epa-range-efficiency/

I’m waiting for Kyle and Tom to do accurate testing of range. Everything else is noise.

 

[NinjaWrap]

Averaged 2.34 over the drive

Surprisingly my lifetime average over 15k miles (two winters) in my Cyberbeast is 400 Wh/mi (2.5 mi/kWh). I thought for sure it would be worse. I agree that R2 will probably surprise people considering its shape vs a Model Y

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I cannot stand Tesla. That said, their engineering is superb from an efficiency perspective.

I think you mean you can’t stand Elon. Tesla is a company that employs over 100,000 people, including many talented hardware and software engineers. They don’t all think and act like the CEO, just like any other employee and their boss. In fact a large group of employees wrote an open letter to the board asking to have him removed. Of course they refused because Elon has them in his pocket. It’s a shame, because as you said their engineering is superb. I’m glad options like Rivian are becoming a viable option.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

I think you mean you can’t stand Elon. Tesla is a company that employs over 100,000 people, including many talented hardware and software engineers. They don’t all think and act like the CEO, just like any other employee and their boss. In fact a large group of employees wrote an open letter to the board asking to have him removed. Of course they refused because Elon has them in his pocket. It’s a shame, because as you said their engineering is superb. I’m glad options like Rivian are becoming a viable option.

Oh I definitely cannot stand Elon. Guilty as charged.

But I also cannot stand Teslas. Is there anything more soulless on the road than a white model Y?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Oh I definitely cannot stand Elon. Guilty as charged.

But I also cannot stand Teslas. Is there anything more soulless on the road than a white model Y?

Yeah, I definitely identify more with Rivian. There are so many blob-like crossovers out there. Everything basically looks alike and they’re all the same 4 neutral colors: black, white, silver, or gray.

 

[NinjaWrap]

Is there anything more soulless on the road than a white model Y?

Oh, there are plenty - think of pretty much everything from Nissan, Toyota, VW, Honda. None of them make me go “Wow” in a good way or bad way. I will say I think the new Prius is actually a nice looking car which is surprising since they’ve been historically so ugly.

 

[rfkxyz]

Honestly, all you’re going to see coming up is the “press release reviews“ where people go to launch events and write glowing assessments in return for free travel, lodging, meals, punch and pie. Otherwise they don’t get invited next time.

The more objective comparative reviews that come later will be more insightful.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Oh, there are plenty - think of pretty much everything from Nissan, Toyota, VW, Honda. None of them make me go “Wow” in a good way or bad way. I will say I think the new Prius is actually a nice looking car which is surprising since they’ve been historically so ugly.

That new Prius would make a killer EV, if Toyota wanted to make EVs that sell well.

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