Is the performance upgrade a software upgrade ?

[franklinb]

I’ve been looking at the different rivians and currently have a reservation in for the R2. When looking at the R1S I saw they have a performance upgrade. Is that upgrade actually physical like different motors or is it a software update that squeaks more power out of the drivetrain?

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[bfilippo]

Yes. Entirely software.

 

[KBabione]

Yes. Entirely software.

It actually unlocks more power - the normal DM motors are software limited so they can sell the Performance upgrade, but the motors are the same.

 

[CharonPDX]

On R1, there are three drivetrains available:

Dual-motor
Tri-motor
Quad-motor

"Performance" is purely a software upgrade available to the dual-motor. The motors themselves add up to 665 horsepower, but are software limited to 533 horsepower if you don't have the Performance upgrade.

For R2, all we know is that it will have single-motor, dual motor, and tri-motor options. We don't know any more than that yet. We don't know if it will have a software-unlock able "performance" option like R1.

The vehicles that journalists were invited to drive were the "launch" dual-motor, with 656 horsepower. That is close enough to the R1's dual-motor-performance, that it's probably the same motors with slightly different gearing. With them going to offer a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version, I would imagine that will be the "cheaper low-performance" model, and all dual-motors will have "full power". But that's just speculation on my part.

 

[franklinb]

If you don’t get it when purchasing it can you upgrade to higher performance later on?

 

[VandalSibs]

Yep!

 

[savethemanual]

For R2, all we know is that it will have single-motor, dual motor, and tri-motor options. We don't know any more than that yet. We don't know if it will have a software-unlock able "performance" option like R1.

The vehicles that journalists were invited to drive were the "launch" dual-motor, with 656 horsepower. That is close enough to the R1's dual-motor-performance, that it's probably the same motors with slightly different gearing. With them going to offer a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version, I would imagine that will be the "cheaper low-performance" model, and all dual-motors will have "full power". But that's just speculation on my part.

It's been confirmed the R2 Launch Edition will be the dual motor performance version, 656 Hp and 609 pound-feet of torque. The motors are different than the Enduro units found in the R1, I believe they are called Maximus.

 

[2kwik4u]

If you don’t get it when purchasing it can you upgrade to higher performance later on?

No discount for upgrading later, though. $5k at time of vehicle purchase, or $5k through the app later. The price is the price it appears.

Not sure we've seen enough go through the used market to have any bearing on it it actually changing the residual value at much of any level. So, be aware, buy it because you want it, not because you think you'll get your money back later (like any automotive modification ever) when you sell it.

Also, there was some speculation early on, that the performance difference was only available in "sport" mode. This isn't quite accurate. While in modes like "all purpose" and "Off Road" you might not get the full 665hp, you do get more than the standard 553hp. I drove a dual performance R1S back to back with my non-performance dual R1T. I mean, like literally drove 90min in one, hopped out, drove 90min in the other. There is a marked difference in power between the two in every mode. The dual performance feels "snappy" all around, all the time, and the non-performance is only snappy when it feels like it. The non-performance falls on it's face around 60-70mph, the performance pulls stronger on the top end.

If I had $5k sitting around without nothing else to do with it, I might consider it, but ultimately I always have something better to do with the cash. The non-performance isn't a slouch, but it's not overly impressive either. Especially if you've spent much time around anything else that is remotely quick before.

 

[Weekend at Gary’s]

…When looking at the R1S I saw they have a performance upgrade. Is that upgrade actually physical like different motors or is it a software update that squeaks more power out of the drivetrain?

Please also note: there are two battery chemistries for R1 dual motor. The “Dual Standard” comes with LFP battery and is not available with Performance Upgrade at purchase or later.

 

[savethemanual]

If I had $5k sitting around without nothing else to do with it, I might consider it, but ultimately I always have something better to do with the cash. The non-performance isn't a slouch, but it's not overly impressive either. Especially if you've spent much time around anything else that is remotely quick before.

The thing is, even the non performance DM is quicker than nearly all ICE equivalents (60 mph in 4.5 sec). BEV's have spoiled us with their power and speed.

 

[2kwik4u]

The thing is, even the non performance DM is quicker than nearly all ICE equivalents (60 mph in 4.5 sec). BEV's have spoiled us with their power and speed.

I both agree and disagree. I do think we're spoiled with the EV drivelines, and I think they do a great job, I also think that the non-performance dual motor isn't anything to write home about in terms of performance.

The standard DM is plenty adequate, and significantly faster than most competitors in the space. Easily the fastest mid-size pickup, and nearly the fastest fullsize. You have to get into Raptors, and other special models to find fullsize pickups that exceed (in terms of acceleration) Rivians "base model". SO, it might be quicker than most, but that doesn't make it impressive either.

Is it competitive? Yes.
Is it impressive? No.
Is it adequate? More than.

I came from an Audi Q7 with a tune. The Rivian would eat it's lunch to 60, but the Audi didn't throw an anchor out at 70 like the Rivian does. It was a relatively pedestrian soccer-mom SUV with a simple tune on it. Before the Audi, I was in a Sierra that was slower than molasses, before that was a Tralblazer SS, before that an A4 with a tune and mods. My point being, if you've been around or driven anything that's reasonably quick, the dual motor Rivian feels "about the same". It's not bad, in fact it's quite enjoyable to drive daily. Have 31k-ish miles on mine, and have mostly enjoyed the drivetrain in it. It's just not this earth shattering fast that I think most people think it is. A $20k GTi with a tune is just as quick, just about any fullsize pickup tows just as well, and in daily driving, I think it's important to maintain that perspective.

ALL of this goes 100% out the window with a dual performance, or a tri, or a quad. Those are downright impressive, no matter which way you slice it. In particular the tri and quad motor vehicles. Those require judicious use of the fast pedal to keep speeds legal.

 

[DD4ST]

I noticed that the latest update will add “Sport” mode to non-performance dual motors. This is where the “performance” really kicks in the most. I wonder if the update will also unlock more power in that mode? Personally, I already have a Gen1 dual performance that was software updated at purchase, so I can’t help answer this question. Never drove it in non-performance mode.

 

[R1ship]

I have been thinking about buying it for my r1s but 5k seems steep. I test drove an r1s with it and concluded that no its not worth it

 

[TTedP]

I noticed that the latest update will add “Sport” mode to non-performance dual motors. This is where the “performance” really kicks in the most. I wonder if the update will also unlock more power in that mode? Personally, I already have a Gen1 dual performance that was software updated at purchase, so I can’t help answer this question. Never drove it in non-performance mode.

My understanding is that the reason they made Sport mode available to all now is to enable full time AWD in normal suspension (vs low) without having to use Snow mode or reduced stability. And for that, it works great.

I had a DM Gen 1 and I really only wanted the Perf unlock for sand & off-road options which I got anyhow with the AT package. For my Gen 2, it came with Perf and yes, it's quicker but I am not using the difference very much. I still drive it pretty much the same - but launch or the occasional rip on a curvy road are extra fun!

I also found myself wishing we could have the rear drive only option vs FWD in All Purpose and was jealous of that with the R2 reveal. With the Sport unlock of 2026.03- Performance or not - it's much more fun to drive around in AWD now.

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