Would you go with 20" wheels or 21" wheels on Launch Edition R2?

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

After asking AI about the brakes on different trim levels of the R2, it seems the paint color may be the only difference but it went on to say that the suspension is the biggest difference since only trim that gets the Semi-Active Suspension will be the Performance trim. That and the various modes like rally, sand, and launch plus the 656 hp are notable.

No one knows if there will be different size brakes. All that is known is what is in production right now, on the LE (which is a variant of the Performance trim, with 13.8" rotor). And based on understanding of manufacturing costs and economy of scale, one can make an educated guess and assume the brakes will be the same for all trims announced so far. Another data point to inform that educated guess is what's been done on the different R1 trims—i.e. same size, cosmetic differences only, to differentiate the different price levels.

It's possible Rivian could go with smaller brakes for the ~$45k variant of base trim. But, that adds unnecessary production complexity and manufacturing cost. Staying the same across all variants, they buy from supplier at larger volume, have more negotiating leverage and enjoy lower volume pricing. Lower cost = higher profit margin. Besides, even with fewer cells it will still weight more than an ICE of equal size. And, again, the brakes are right-sized not oversized. In contrast, legacy OEMs consistently cheap out and put undersized brakes on lower priced production trims/model lines. For them, with much higher production volumes/leverage, good enough is enough.

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[Big Kidd]

After seeing this picture, I have decided I'm going with the 21 inch wheels. This R2 looks great on 21's.

 

[Jeremy3292]

After seeing this picture, I have decided I'm going with the 21 inch wheels. This R2 looks great on 21's.

Ironically, after I saw this photo it confirmed the 20" wheels for me as I think the 21" look goofy large.

 

[sparked]

Ironically, after I saw this photo it confirmed the 20" wheels for me as I think the 21" look goofy large.

I keep seeing the same thing. Rubber bands.

 

[iamnid]

Ironically, after I saw this photo it confirmed the 20" wheels for me as I think the 21" look goofy large.

I had the same reaction. Any doubt I had over whether to get the 20" wheels was erased. The 21" look comically large and it makes the brakes look tiny. No thank you.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I'll go with 21 and then look at what Martian is making for R2

 

[CD1973]

After seeing this picture, I have decided I'm going with the 21 inch wheels. This R2 looks great on 21's.

Are you not concerned with damaging tires over rough surfaces. And not off road, but highway expansion joints, crumpling asphalt, uneven concrete, etc. Seems like the thin amount of rubber between wheel edge and roadway would be a liability on any car, and even more so on one that is considered light offroad capable. EDIT: And don' smaller wheels offer better range and more cushioning? Or perhaps the designers have an engineering type reason for NOT offering 19s on the more powerful models.

 

[DaveA]

Are you not concerned with damaging tires over rough surfaces. And not off road, but highway expansion joints, crumpling asphalt, uneven concrete, etc. Seems like the thin amount of rubber between wheel edge and roadway would be a liability on any car, and even more so on one that is considered light offroad capable.

So everyone everywhere needs to ride around on off-road tires? Sounds like a war zone where you drive. I've never heard anyone that had the 21s or 22s on their R1 have any issues and those vehicles are 2000 lbs heavier.

 

[Thebandit]

Are you not concerned with damaging tires over rough surfaces. And not off road, but highway expansion joints, crumpling asphalt, uneven concrete, etc. Seems like the thin amount of rubber between wheel edge and roadway would be a liability on any car, and even more so on one that is considered light offroad capable. EDIT: And don' smaller wheels offer better range and more cushioning? Or perhaps the designers have an engineering type reason for NOT offering 19s on the more powerful models.

The 21" tires have 5.5" of sidewall. That's more than a Forester Wilderness. These are not low profile tires.

 

[Josh X]

Ironically, after I saw this photo it confirmed the 20" wheels for me as I think the 21" look goofy large.

Better more realistic angle.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Better more realistic angle.

To each his own. I still think they look goofy as hell. Not a fan of the "no sidewalls" trend anyways. My wife's GX460 has upgraded F sport 18" rims...and that's a much bigger vehicle. R2 should have 19" available at minimum and not just base trim wheel IMO.

 

[RomanMF]

I didn't clock any difference in drive feel, or road noise, from 20 and 21s in my demo drive, but they were like 3 days apart. I was all set on 21s for the range, but the range difference isn't that crazy, and I plan on taking this car to Death Valley and the Redwoods this year, so the BFs will come in handy. Depending on how much I end up offroading in my first few years with the car, I'll decide whether to swap to AS afterwards.

 

[Just Passing By]

I've never heard anyone that had the 21s or 22s on their R1 have any issues and those vehicles are 2000 lbs heavier.

The R1 has a 34" tire, so the 21/22 rims on that tire give 6.0-6.5" sidewall, versus the 5.5" sidewall of an R2 with 32" tire and 21" rim. I'm not saying the R2 would have potential issues with a 21" rim, but the sidewall is less.

 

[rfkxyz]

To each his own.

Yep. I actually like the Premium 20” wheels because they remind me of electric motor brushes.

 

[windblowlc]

The R1 has a 34" tire, so the 21/22 rims on that tire give 6.0-6.5" sidewall, versus the 5.5" sidewall of an R2 with 32" tire and 21" rim. I'm not saying the R2 would have potential issues with a 21" rim, but the sidewall is less.

No, 21/22" rims on R1 have 33" diameter so the 22" rims have 5.5" sidewall, same as 21" on R2. Side wall is perfectly fine.

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