R1S Suspension concerns - recent Car & Driver article

[carcrazydoc]

I'm sure that some of you (most) have read the Car & Driver article about the R1S vs ixM comparison. It again was mentioned about the apparent lack of finesse on the part of the R1S' suspension tuning especially in light of the rave reviews of the R1T. The writer specifically mentions that it seemed the suspension tuning was performed on the R1T and then just transferred to the R1S which obviously has a different weight distribution and shorter wheelbase. People seem to rave about the R1T suspension.

For those who have driven both back to back, your thoughts? As really a development and software issue, anyone hear about further tuning to be performed by Rivian on the R1S suspension and it being an OTA update for existing R1S vehicles?

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[cypressroots]

We have an R1S and got an R1T as a loaner, so got to drive back to back. 20s on R1S and 21s on R1T, so that is definitely a consideration... But... This article is exactly our experience. R1T was night and day smoother than our S. Every height. You know where they repair streets across and there is a "seam?" Our S rattles our bones on those.

To add to this mystery, I made a ticket for this, and after inspection they told me it was the normal ride. Then today I got a call from the SC to bring our S back in because their suspension telemetrics we're showing something off.

I have been living with it because we chose the 20s, but after riding in the T it is very clear that the Ts suspension feel is amazing.

 

[carcrazydoc]

@cypressroots thank you for the feedback. I am concerned about the issue. Possibly enough to switch back to R1T I'm unsure. I would think the 20" on the R1S would actually provide more dampening/cushion versus the 21" option? If correct, the ride delta between the R1S and R1T is more than what you are experiencing

 

[Matty J]

We have an R1S and got an R1T as a loaner, so got to drive back to back. 20s on R1S and 21s on R1T, so that is definitely a consideration... But... This article is exactly our experience. R1T was night and day smoother than our S. Every height. You know where they repair streets across and there is a "seam?" Our S rattles our bones on those.

To add to this mystery, I made a ticket for this, and after inspection they told me it was the normal ride. Then today I got a call from the SC to bring our S back in because their suspension telemetrics we're showing something off.

I have been living with it because we chose the 20s, but after riding in the T it is very clear that the Ts suspension feel is amazing.

I had this same experience.

I should give service another try.

Let me know what you learn

 

[madgrey]

The higher sidewall profile of the 21" (and 22"s) are probably worse over expansion joints and other imperfections over the ATs but can't account "A plethora of ride and handling sins" as reported by Car and Driver. Let's hope some of this can be fixed with firmware updates but it think this may require revisions in the damper specs.

 

[Redline]

I'm hopeful this is something that can indeed be addressed with software updates.

 

[AdamsFan1983]

R1T definitely is the smoother ride. I don't know that I'd say that R1S suspension is uncomfortably different though... Its just not as great.

 

[kanundrum]

R1T definitely is the smoother ride. I don't know that I'd say that R1S suspension is uncomfortably different though... Its just not as great.

I've been saying this for a while now but they meet you adjust the rate of compression and rebound for both the front and the rear and do a complete retune of the suspension. Since they can adjust dampening on the fly it should be 100% possible to retunue it for a softer more of a syncd setup I would imagine and would also avoid the porpoising which not sure if you've experienced it.

 

[AdamsFan1983]

I've been saying this for a while now but they meet you adjust the rate of compression and rebound for both the front and the rear and do a complete retune of the suspension. Since they can adjust dampening on the fly it should be 100% possible to retunue it for a softer more of a syncd setup I would imagine and would also avoid the porpoising which not sure if you've experienced it.

I have, yes.

 

[screamingkarts]

I felt a slight difference between my R1S and the Loaner R1T suspension in the same road, R1T being more smoother. And both had 20 ATs. I thought I was just imagining but looks like R1T's ride is bit smoother. May be worth testing more and reaching out to the SC.

 

[freshpow]

Can someone who is a lot smarter than I am explain, in simple terms, whether or not this is something that can be addressed through software updates? Or is it a hardware issue based on the different size wheelbases?

 

[mkg3]

From vehicle dynamics standpoint, regardless of make and model, longer wheelbase vehicle is ALWAYS going to ride smoother than shorter wheelbase. Just think of stretch limo vs the same vehicle that has not been stretched.

Now think of T vs S for Rivian. S wheelbase is over a foot shorter than the T. Its natural to feel smoother rider for the T, given that both share the same suspension components and weigh somewhat similar.

The shorter wheelbase has better turn-in characteristics than longer wheelbase. In designing a passenger vehicles, this is one of the tradeoffs to balance the wheelbase, overall length and center of gravity relative to both for ride quality and handling of a vehicle. Also in case of the truck, the bed length enters into the equation. I believe the T's wheelbase is longer to accommodate the bed (relatively short already) and still maintain decent departure angle. The S clearly does not have the bed issue and to keep the overall length such that it fits the majority of home garages.

 

[AdamsFan1983]

Can someone who is a lot smarter than I am explain, in simple terms, whether or not this is something that can be addressed through software updates? Or is it a hardware issue based on the different size wheelbases?

Software tuning to the dampening system could conceivably make it much better. Its not surprising to me. They're obviously still figuring things out. Give them a few software update cycles post R1S roll out to before forming any real judgments. Overall, the R1S feels pretty solid to me, but like I said, just not as fully baked as I feel in my R1T 6 months after delivery.

 

[Gymdent]

Regarding this whole discussion, there's a difference between a "smooth ride" vs one that's jarring and lack of body control that leads to porpoising, head toss, etc. Remains to be seen how much can be rectified with a software update without some hardware design changes.

I have an R1S deposit which I assume won't be fulfilled until 2024. I may need at that time to rethink my purchase because of this issue if it's not corrected. The new Porsche Macan EV will be available at that time. Of course, it'll be a different and smaller animal. But, being a Porsche, its handling, I'm sure, will be superb.

 

[BeanEW]

When I was younger (much) and had an A on my report card, my mom would say... where is the A+? Is A a real concern? And that was only one subject; there were other subjects that I was good at but overlooked.

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