Gen 2 Quad launch, more thoughts

[bmedfo1]

I am getting impatience waiting for the Gen 2 Quad.

I am a Rivian fanboy and have owned 2 R1T Launch Editions. I like to upgrade my vehicle every 2-3 years. When I found out about the Gen 2 quad this seemed perfect but now I have been waiting for so long I am considering moving to something else. For me the Tri motor is just not an option knowing that the quad is coming "Soon".

There is also some speculation about something like an R1X (kind of a beefed up special version of the quad) that is keeping me holding on. I know R2 is the main focus of the company but I just wish they would come out and give us something more to go on even if they are not ready to start production. Just like Tesla did - IMO they need to keep their halo product at the top and cutting edge so that when they do come out with cars for the masses they are still seen as a premium brand.

Big news so far:

• Motor Trend reviewed it in September and still have the release date posted on their review as "Early 2025"
• June 2024 - They ran a Gen 2 quad in the Pikes Peak race
• RIvian has had the Gen 2 quad on their website since June 2024
• • "r1s up to 1025 HP" 0-60 times as low as 2.5s ect
  • accepting preorders
• Feb 11th "big announcement" seemed like it had to be the quad and then they just gave us the California Dune.
• Kyle from Out of Spec got to test it back in September 2024
• TFL truck and some other got to do the 1/4 mile in the Gen 2 and post about it back in June 2024
• Jan 2025 MT published an article stating that the Gen 2 quad fastest 0-60 SUV
• • Only vehicle they let on the list that is not in production

Competition is heating up.

• Cybertruck
• • Under 100k with big saving deals coming out Impressive engineering 800V / 48v low voltage, Variable Steer by wire. better features : 4 wheel steering ,Active noise cancelation ,Faster than any current Rivian, Larger screen... Yea its ugly and Elon is not for everyone
• Hummer EV
• • Dealers are desperate to move these and you can get them under $100k ($25k off) with 0% GM financing
• Escalade IQ
• • MSRP starts at $130k but dealers are already discounting and I feel they will be just like the hummer. I have driven these and they are slow in comparison but so much more lux.
• EV G wagon
• • If price is no issue and you want a Lux EV offroad style SUV some will like this better
• Lucid Gravity
• • All around impressive but its a minivan
• Tesla Model X 2025 pending refresh
• • This will be coming this year and if they give the X the tech from the Cybertruck and maybe a bit more big SUV style to differentiate from the Y this this could be an awsome SUV. It will also be faster than the Gen2 quad for sure.

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[DayTripping]

I think that is a great synopsis of the current state of play. Out of all those, Rivian does have the worst service as a bonus.

If something happened to my R1T, I'd be looking at pretty much the same list. At this time, i am far less inclined than I'd be a few months ago to go with a G2 quad. One of the main reasons is there still is a lot of wind noise on the G2's that isn't coming from a poorly adjusted window. It seems to be coming from around the front windshield and A pillar and on my G1, it drives me crazy at any speed over 75 mph. I am at the point I am trying different aftermarket molding and seals to try and help.

The other things that weighs on my mind is that if the R2 launch doesn't go well, Rivian is toast. I'd hate to be left holding a more expensive version of a Fisker Ocean while hoping someone buys up the company and provides continuing service. At the same time, even if the R2 is a success, they'll likely clog the service centers with new issues and service for my R1 either G1 or G2 could become even worse for a while.

At this point, I'd focus on the last 3 in your list, the G wagon, Lucid and a refreshed Model X. I do have some concerns about Lucid's viability as well.

If Tesla can really make a better X, it would probably move to the top of my list. At the same time a G63 was one of my all time favorite cars. I went for a ride in my neighbors G55 and it reminded me of how much I missed mine.

While I love my R1T so far, if I can't get the wind noise sorted, I may have to seriously think about parting with it. Texas highways normally move at 80+, and the wind noise is really getting to me. At 70 mph, the cockpit noise is great and subjectively quieter than my Teslas.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

If anyone is worried about Rivian’s viability as a company that should take Lucid off the table. Lucid is in far worse shape than Rivian.

 

[carsly]

With the high end EV market all but evaporating, launching a quad motor Rivian should be a much lower priority than getting R2 built, tested and in production. Maybe there are 5,000 units/year of demand for the new quad Rivian given the power of the dual performance and tri. Feels like it it, and should be, we'll get to it when we get to it. Or never. It could go the way of the Model S/X Plaid+ which is technically feasible but not a strong enough business case to put it in the world.

PS the Lucid and Model X are both minivans so not comparable across use cases.

PPS the Volvo EX90 is probably closer to R1S as a three-row somewhat boxy SUV, and having a hard time selling.

 

[portdirect]

When I was up at the factory recently they mentioned to keep an eye out for manufacturing samples of the quad. They are coming - s00n - I'm still expecting the exact same roll out as the tri last year - prices and order likely opening this month, and September/October to make it to customers. I'm now a bit kinder in my assessment of what happened - they likely felt they "had" to announce the quad a year early - as otherwise I'm sure headlines would have focused on how they 'decontented' the yellow trimmed R1's for gen2 by removing a motor or something.

 

[André]

If anyone is worried about Rivian’s viability as a company that should take Lucid off the table. Lucid is in far worse shape than Rivian.

Lucid has bottomless support from Saudi shareholders…

 

[DayTripping]

PS the Lucid and Model X are both minivans so not comparable across use cases.

I would argue that an SUV has become the new minivan anyway.

 

[carsly]

I would argue that an SUV has become the new minivan anyway.

Completely agree.

But there are a lot of folks (myself included) who are happy owning three-row, 4wd SUV's who don't want a minivan. The Model X is unquestionably a minivan, watch the unveil in 2015/2016. The Rivian R1S? Has about the same interior size as my first-generation Honda Pilot which, ironically, was built on the Honda Odyssey (ha! a minivan!) underpinnings.

Maybe some people cross shop, I can't claim to have conclusive data, but anecdotal evidence is people fall into one camp or the other - minivan or SUV. BTW, there are other places where lines blur, like 4wd station wagons and four door sedans that are really hatchbacks like the BMW i4, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S. As an EV buyer, I'm happy to have more choices.

 

[bmedfo1]

Great discussion here, thanks for all the feedback. especially @portdirect as this is some useful info. please if you have anything else please do share

@DayTripping I agree about the wind noise being an issues especially for the quad that is going to be in the price range where all the competitors have: Active noise cancelation, Duel pain glass, more sound insulation, The escalade IQ i drove was silent. small things like the almost carpet lined fender wells all add up to the quite cabin. I think if Range Rover ever gets their EV to market it will probably be the best in this area.

I completely agree on the X also being a minivan and personally hate that about it but if they made the new one right I might consider it anyway. I just hope I can get my G2Q soon and dont end up waiting so long that I feel inclined to see what they do to the X.

I am not excited about the R2 launch at all. I think it is going to water down the brand, it might be good for the company and as RJ would say "our kids kids kids" but it will certainly take away from the cool factor of the R1 when I park my $125k 1000 HP quad and one of my coworkers says, "oh i think my sister/mom just got one of those, they are so cute" referring to their base R2. Along with the service issue. I also feel like we have dropped from 100% of rivian owners being enthusiasts at the start to maybe 1/3 now and after R2 things might just be different.

Please please please let the be an R1X Quad! launched soon.

 

[savethemanual]

If one doesn't need the 3rd row, Polestar 3 is an interesting alternative, granted is has nowhere near the power of the quad but is made here in the states so no tariff.

 

[bfilippo]

Great discussion here, thanks for all the feedback. especially @portdirect as this is some useful info. please if you have anything else please do share

@DayTripping I agree about the wind noise being an issues especially for the quad that is going to be in the price range where all the competitors have: Active noise cancelation, Duel pain glass, more sound insulation, The escalade IQ i drove was silent. small things like the almost carpet lined fender wells all add up to the quite cabin. I think if Range Rover ever gets their EV to market it will probably be the best in this area.

I completely agree on the X also being a minivan and personally hate that about it but if they made the new one right I might consider it anyway. I just hope I can get my G2Q soon and dont end up waiting so long that I feel inclined to see what they do to the X.

I am not excited about the R2 launch at all. I think it is going to water down the brand, it might be good for the company and as RJ would say "our kids kids kids" but it will certainly take away from the cool factor of the R1 when I park my $125k 1000 HP quad and one of my coworkers says, "oh i think my sister/mom just got one of those, they are so cute" referring to their base R2. Along with the service issue. I also feel like we have dropped from 100% of rivian owners being enthusiasts at the start to maybe 1/3 now and after R2 things might just be different.

Please please please let the be an R1X Quad! launched soon.

I hear you, but I also think by putting the R3X in front of us, RJ knows he needs to keep appealing to the early adopters who made this whole thing work on a prayer.

I’m sure folks who bought Model S/Plaid felt the same way when everyone started buying the Y, but the path to profitability must be had. Then they can go back and make awesome vehicles like R3/X and many of us will have kids old enough by then to potentially justify that purchase for them? (Only if they put in the teen driver feature like Tesla has…)

 

[Newtonrj]

Completely agree.

But there are a lot of folks (myself included) who are happy owning three-row, 4wd SUV's who don't want a minivan. The Model X is unquestionably a minivan, watch the unveil in 2015/2016. The Rivian R1S? Has about the same interior size as my first-generation Honda Pilot which, ironically, was built on the Honda Odyssey (ha! a minivan!) underpinnings.

Maybe some people cross shop, I can't claim to have conclusive data, but anecdotal evidence is people fall into one camp or the other - minivan or SUV. BTW, there are other places where lines blur, like 4wd station wagons and four door sedans that are really hatchbacks like the BMW i4, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S. As an EV buyer, I'm happy to have more choices.

Many have a commandment rule: Thou shall not commit minivan.

 

[RNFinCA]

I also have two R1T Launch Editions and put my deposit down about the same time. (I wonder where our respective positions are in line.). However, I differ with you in two areas:
1) I am fine with waiting. I waited years after putting my deposit down the first time. Take all the time they need to get it right. As someone says, this is the halo version. Meanwhile, I am fine with the ones I have.
2) I don’t see that list as competitors. There are no competitors for the R1T. The Hummer seriously? Who would want that thing? I have two Porsches. The Germans fail miserably at the electronics. Look at the background behind the VW deal. A cybertruck? I am still on planet Earth thank you. Finally, I would never, ever buy a minivan.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Lucid has bottomless support from Saudi shareholders…

There will come a point where the Saudis will cut their losses. They fired Rawlinson already, it shows their patience is running thin.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I hear you, but I also think by putting the R3X in front of us, RJ knows he needs to keep appealing to the early adopters who made this whole thing work on a prayer.

Really hoping the timing of my R1S lease last week works out in my favor for the R3X launch.

I end up with spinning tires on every launch in the tri-motor R1S, but I got the AT tires. I'm not sure that Rivian could really do much better with quad motor, since the fronts are chirping over and over on my tri, and they are probably going to share the exact same rear drivetrain. I might try to put the Gen1 sport tires+wheels on my R1S, but I don't think I'll be able to find the time to do it soon.

I'm definitely less interested in the quad after having gotten the tri, even if Rivian would let me trade in without a loss at all.

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