Dual Motor Lag

[CaptainMax]

I’m about to configure my R1S. After much deliberation, I was going to go for the dual performance over the quad primarily for the added range for the mid length trips where it could mean the difference between having to stop to charge or not - up and back ski days, Seattle to Whistler (one way), etc.

A few times in my research, I’ve come across comments in reviews where lag was briefly noted when accelerating in the dual motor vehicles, but nobody really discussed it further. I think it occurs when driving in All Purpose mode above 19 mph and the rear motor has been disabled to conserve battery. The delay is likely due to the time it takes to reengage the rear axle. I’ve heard there is also an audible (but small) clunk.

My car now has a small delay accelerating from a full stop, and it drives me nuts. I enjoy driving assertively so I’m wondering how bad the lag is. Yes, I know I can go with the quad and likely need to decide if range is more important than this potential delay, but without being able to test drive a dual, it’s hard to determine how minor (or not) this is.

I’d sure appreciate some insight from those of you with dual/dual performance motor experience out there…

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[Citrinite]

I can't speak to the R1S as I have the dual R1T. I don't notice any lag in acceleration. The truck is plenty fast. If you fully depress the accelerator you will find yourself significantly over the speed limit very quickly. The truck is also very stable at high speed. It's easy to find yourself traveling very quickly without realizing how fast you are going.

 

[Tarball]

I’m sure if you roll into the throttle you won’t notice it - but if you stomp it, is there any discernible lag? Didn’t Kyle from out-of-spec mention it when reviewing the dual performance R1T vs his own quad?

 

[Citrinite]

I’m sure if you roll into the throttle you won’t notice it - but if you stomp it, is there any discernible lag? Didn’t Kyle from out-of-spec mention it when reviewing the dual performance R1T vs his own quad?

When starting from a full stop both motors always engage. I don't notice any lag, but I'm also not specifically looking for one. Essentially if it's there it's so minor it's never an issue for me. You can hear the rear motor disconnecting if you listen specifically for it. It's subtle and I typically don't notice since it's not loud. To be honest the entire process is smooth.

That said if you have any concerns or questions I'd sign up for a test drive and drive both versions.

I bought the dual motor version for the higher efficiency. While I sacrificed performance, in daily driving I have never felt like I needed more power. I can't speak to the quad, but the dual motor truck doesn't feel underpowered.

 

[Tarball]

What about at highway speeds when the rear is disengaged?

 

[MrMusAddict]

What about at highway speeds when the rear is disengaged?

I find that if I need to accelerate while at speed on the freeway, the rear motor engages by the time the accelerator is halfway to the floor. I don't even have the performance DM, and it's extremely responsive. No lag at all, although there is a noticeable sensation when the rear motor engages.

 

[booslim45]

From my experience all the rivians have a little lag in the throttle.

9:13 time stamp

 

[MrMusAddict]

After much deliberation, I was going to go for the dual performance over the quad primarily for the added range

For what it's worth, Quad in Conserve mode has essentially the same mileage as DM.

 

[Chrisy]

FWIW: I am very similar to MrMusAddict's observation.

Background: My rear drive unit died on freeway while engaging and I got it replaced with a new unit.
Since I got the new unit I tested in the same scenario when the old one gave up: quick acceleration at freeway when on a steep ramp.

My observation with the new unit that it engages very fast (no feeling of lag) and super smooth. I cannot even feel with this new unit when it engages I need to check on the main screen. Probably the acceleration feeling is much higher than the feeling of the engaging motor so I can't feel it

But I have a normal DM not a performance one.
Maybe the different SW tuning causes some minor lag on the performance DM (as the HW is the same only the SW would be different).

 

[bummin]

Both my vehicles are quad so no lag. That being said I am wondering if the new enduro quad in the works will do a disconnect in a similar manner to the DM? I always wondered why the quad does not have a conserve mode that allows rear to kick in if pedal is pressed beyond certain point. Maybe to abrupt under acceleration for driveline?

 

[R1Tom]

For what it's worth, Quad in Conserve mode has essentially the same mileage as DM.

This fact...has been very interesting to watch how Rivian has marketed and seemingly convinced much of the customer base...that somehow they developed a significantly more efficient motor than Bosch....but in reality is mostly attributable to automatic disengagement of rear motor.

 

[Magicbus]

As others have indicated, my DM Performance R1T has no lag and no clunk. I saw those claims on a YouTube video, but as far as I can tell they sure don’t apply to recent production.

 

[EVnewb]

I’m wondering if it’s a safety thing for the drivetrain. Imagine pulling the trigger on a drill and then inserting the bit into the head of the screw. It would most likely strip it. The software probably engages the drive unit before allowing full power and torque to be applied. Just speculating haha.

 

[mtberman]

This fact...has been very interesting to watch how Rivian has marketed and seemingly convinced much of the customer base...that somehow they developed a significantly more efficient motor than Bosch....but in reality is mostly attributable to automatic disengagement of rear motor.

I don’t know if it’s a “fact” that a quad in Conserve gets the same efficiency as a dual motor. Someone posted it here, but that’s not a “fact”.

I have an R1T dual motor, 6500 miles on it. Tell me what my efficiency is.

 

[mtberman]

My Dual motor doesn’t have any lag, I am aware of the rear lock and Yes you can hear it. It sounds similar to my Audi e-tron, which has a similar dual motor setup, except it disengages the front and defaults to rear drive instead of vice versa with the Rivian. Both have locking mechanisms and neither has any lag.

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