My hope is that the LE will come in 2 versions, large battery dual motor and dual motor performance, assuming the performance is just a software unlock. My target price is $53,000 for the dual motor with the performance version costing a $4,000 premium. I am still expecting the Gen 3 autonomy...
While there would be a marginal cost to have two different hardware options I doubt it would be significant. The non LiDAR R2 would just require a simple sheet metal blank over the LiDAR recess. The biggest advantage to keeping the R2 without LiDAR around for a few model years is on the revenue...
From the Rivian press release Dec 11, 2025:
"Our Gen 3 Autonomy hardware including ACM3 and LiDAR is currently undergoing validation and we expect it to ship on R2 models starting at the end of 2026."
Emphasis added by by me. I am expecting R2 to launch with ACM2 and no LiDAR and that later...
I'm wondering if the R2 Gen2 hardware continues in parallel with Gen3/LiDAR once it gets released. I could see Rivian offer Gen2 as standard and Gen3 as a $5000 option.
If R2 Gen2 is really just a 6 month production run I would stay away from it due to low production numbers and future...
LIDAR is "Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging."
Think of it as one of these:
but takes millions of distance measurements per second across an arc (both horizontally and vertically) in the front of the vehicle. The computer can then use these distance measurements to build a live 3D model of...
Now that I've had time to review the presentation and the press release it seems to be indicating that there will be R2s with and without LiDAR.
The language in the press release clearly points to two separately available hardware pieces: 1) Rivian Autonomy Processor (RAP1) coming on all R2s...
The way that I understood this is that the Gen 3 functionality will be implemented at the end of 2026 but that all R2's will have the Gen 3 hardware installed from the start of production. Just like with the R1 Gen 2 quad and how tank turn/RAD tuner are future adds on existing hardware.
That's...
There are two different versions of R2 in the wild. There is the prototype (only one exists as far as I am aware, it was white and then painted silver) that has been displayed at auto shows and Rivian showrooms. The second are the dozens of validation builds with the camo wraps.
The prototype...
It has been mentioned as a technology that Rivian has always been evaluating but never confirmed for a production vehicle until today.
The big question for me is how this announcement will effect the desirability of the current R1. Clearly the sensor stack of the R1 as it exists today will have...
Rivian has confirmed Lidar!
Watch the Autonomous & AI Day livestream:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/rivian-autonomy-ai-day-livestream-watch-here.53633/
I think 18 inch rims are a real possibility. The R1 is 7k lbs with 9k or 11k tow rating. R2 could reasonably be 5k with 5k towing which is very much in the realm of vehicles with 18 inch and smaller rims.
Older 4runner does have the wiper below the rear window but it is exposed so any water would not be captured inside a recess like the R2 design shown here. Newer 4runners have the rear wiper hidden above the window.
I was wondering today about what the tire/wheel size is on the R2 validation builds. I wasn't able to find anything definitive that has been posted. Using the photos posted and some math it looks like the R2 validation builds are running on different rubber size than the R2 prototype:
255/55R20...
I get your point about waiting a year, the biggest question mark is the Maximus drive units which are a totally new component for the R2. However, I agree with the others above that there are a ton of lessons learned from R1 that will be put into R2 and the design of R2 is simpler than R1...
Did Rivian already remove the $7500 lease credit? The Dual Standard R1T had a $566 per month lease deal last week and now it is $800. It doesn't seem like they are that interested in moving out the 2025s with the launch of 2026 next week.