2025.06 Update: Dual Motor Owners Can Software Upgrade to Dual Performance + Rally Mode first look!

[DD4ST]

I think 45 mph is the stability reduction. I just did a drive with stability reduced. At some point it reverted to full stability. My guess after seeing this it was when I hit 45.

Sponsored

 

[HaveBlue]

Someone did drag strip runs measuring acceleration in normal and sport. After 45mph the curves were identical. The half second quicker is all in 0-45mph.

 

[mpshizzle]

Someone did drag strip runs measuring acceleration in normal and sport. After 45mph the curves were identical. The half second quicker is all in 0-45mph.

Half second quicker?

Dual is rated at 4.5s, Performance Dual at 3.4s. So if the difference between the two drive modes in your testing is only .5s, that must mean that performance dual also unlocks some extra power on AP

 

[Schroederhc]

This was the announcement on Rivian Trackr

Rivian Performance Upgrade

This upgrade boosts 0-60 mph to 3.4 seconds. Horsepower jumps to 665 hp, and torque increases to 829 lb-ft. It also adds three new drive modes. Rally Mode improves handling on loose surfaces. Sport Mode sharpens performance for street driving. Soft Sand Mode enhances traction in deep sand.

The upgrade will only be available for R1T and R1S models equipped with Dual Standard+, Dual Large, Dual Large+, or Dual Max packs. Rivian will not offer the upgrade for Dual Standard vehicles, likely due to hardware limitations.


This update lets owners upgrade power whenever they want. No need to choose the Performance model at purchase. Just tap a button and unlock more speed and capability.


Rivian is following Tesla’s lead with post-purchase software upgrades, but with real performance gains. Earlier in February, Rivian also confirmed that wheel swaps will be available in 2025.06, allowing owners to change wheel sizes without a service center visit.

 

[HaveBlue]

Not my testing. You can see the thread here. It was focused on 1/4 mile times. The point is that sport mode isn't faster 50-90 mph than AP.

https://rivianforums.com/forum/threads/dragy-and-timed-runs-post-your-data-here.37922/#post-687833

 

[tbrockhurst]

I agree. I’d rather have larger battery capacity. Also, depending on your VIN, people might either have a software locked Large or Max - the VIN decoder somewhere on this forum should have that info

Recently had the 6month appraisal survey from them & there were a couple of intriguing questions. One was how much extra range (in miles) would you be willing to pay for? (Ours has the Max pack so no sure if that’s applicable). But that ? was then followed by, ‘how much would you pay for that (nominated) increase in range?’
Beyond the Large+ built as a Max (but software locked), maybe they have a software upgrade in the works that can make the current battery management & motor control more efficient therefore delivering extra range ?

 

[Schroederhc]

They can sell the entry model dual motor standard batt no future OTA upgrades available. The upgrade model dual motor large with upgrades to Performance and more range available OTA

 

[barrelproof]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with leased non performance Dual motor, Standard+ battery sized models after they're returned.

Imagine Rivian will unlock both performance mode and the battery (making it a Large) for every returned vehicle with that spec. Its likely they'd make more money on that approach rather than getting a small percentage of used buyers to pay full price for a perf or range improvement at post purchase.


Basically, at a certain point, all Rivian sold "pre roamed" Gen 1 duals will be perf dual motors and either standard, large or max.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with leased non performance Dual motor, Standard+ battery sized models after they're returned.

Imagine Rivian will unlock both performance mode and the battery (making it a Large) for every returned vehicle with that spec. Its likely they'd make more money on that approach rather than getting a small percentage of used buyers to pay full price for a perf or range improvement at post purchase.


Basically, at a certain point, all Rivian sold "pre roamed" Gen 1 duals will be perf dual motors and either standard, large or max.

That’s my guess. It would cost them nothing but would improve the margin on that sale.
I could also see the opposite occurring. Too many PDM’s in stock, not moving - they can software lock it and sell it for less with the chance the new owner buys a new software unlock later.
Either way, they win.

 

[DD4ST]

Too many PDM’s in stock, not moving - they can software lock it and sell it for less with the chance the new owner buys a new software unlock later.

Hadn’t thought of that but my guess that is not a winning proposition. Most won’t buy a used vehicle with the idea they would have to sink another $5K, if that is the cost. Besides the fact that the performance can’t be used all the time, unless in sport, most people buy used to save money and $5K is a bigger percentage of the purchase price for used.

 

[Schroederhc]

I agree it certainly opens a lot of possibilities. The key will be how much functionality they will incorporate into PDM like adding the Rally mode.

 

[2kwik4u]

Hadn’t thought of that but my guess that is not a winning proposition. Most won’t buy a used vehicle with the idea they would have to sink another $5K, if that is the cost. Besides the fact that the performance can’t be used all the time, unless in sport, most people buy used to save money and $5K is a bigger percentage of the purchase price for used.

I think this is somewhat analogous to buying an ICE powered vehicle "with a tune" or without. When buying used Audis, if a potential purchase had an aftermarket tune, I would exercise more caution when evaluating it. Could have meant the previous owner beat on it a little harder than normal, or they could have been an enthusiast that took really good care of it. With that said, I always put a tune on my cars, and even traded my tuned Q7 in on the Rivian.

Considering I'm 6mo into a 36mo lease, I'm really curious if there is any consideration given to upgrades such as this. My expectation is that the contract is what it is, and I won't see any change. Any upgrades I put on the truck will only affect the resell value at lease end, however the residual already agreed upon will remain the same. Might affect my decision to buy out versus turn in, but otherwise I don't expect much change.

Regarding the used store; If I was in charge, I would list the same truck 2-3 times on the store with all configurations possible. Or perhaps setup the filters on the used store to only show dual/tri, and then let the performance and battery upgrades be options during purchase. This will maximize exposure to potential buyers, then just ensure the software matches the configuration sold during delivery.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

You have to remember PDM is a different type of luxury… kind of like buying an ICE truck and modding up the engine to make it faster/stronger. I would imagine that too could be a limited market.

But battery unlocks are an entirely different story. It’s a more functional luxury… A large battery on a gen1 might be worth paying a premium on. People always want range. Especially if it lived its former life as an NMC Standard or Standard plus pack.

I guess my point is Rivian has a lot of unique options with their used fleet and a lot of levers they can pull to mark up or move inventory.

 

[2kwik4u]

I guess my point is Rivian has a lot of unique options with their used fleet and a lot of levers they can pull to mark up or move inventory.

Agreed on all fronts here. In particular the optionality in selling.

 

[DD4ST]

I think this is somewhat analogous to buying an ICE powered vehicle "with a tune" or without. When buying used Audis, if a potential purchase had an aftermarket tune, I would exercise more caution when evaluating it. Could have meant the previous owner beat on it a little harder than normal, or they could have been an enthusiast that took really good care of it. With that said, I always put a tune on my cars, and even traded my tuned Q7 in on the Rivian.

Considering I'm 6mo into a 36mo lease, I'm really curious if there is any consideration given to upgrades such as this. My expectation is that the contract is what it is, and I won't see any change. Any upgrades I put on the truck will only affect the resell value at lease end, however the residual already agreed upon will remain the same. Might affect my decision to buy out versus turn in, but otherwise I don't expect much change.

Regarding the used store; If I was in charge, I would list the same truck 2-3 times on the store with all configurations possible. Or perhaps setup the filters on the used store to only show dual/tri, and then let the performance and battery upgrades be options during purchase. This will maximize exposure to potential buyers, then just ensure the software matches the configuration sold during delivery.

I’m in a lease, too, and when I leased I asked about the SC-applied XPEL protection being added. Nope! Not part of the lease. So I dropped. All at my cost And no change in the Terms. I’m pretty sure any performance upgrades will be handled the same way. So really a steep cost for a couple of years of 1 second better acceleration.

Also, to provide a relevant comparison. About 10 years ago I bought a new Volvo C70 for the hardtop and interior space. But I did not like the turbo lag. Actually preferred how BMWs handled. Subsequently Volvo offered an official chip upgrade for $1000 to reduce lag and improve acceleration, which I did. However, I owned that car and could reap any upgrades I made upon selling.

Sponsored