Thoughts on R2 options

[drm]

Bolt owner here who made a reservation while watching the Reveal online. Only had the Bolt a few months and traded in a Subaru to get it. I really do need more clearance and AWD and was hoping that might be Equinox EV, but 6.4" of clearance won't cut it. So now I guess I have to wait - impatiently - for the R2. R3 would probably be even better for me, but how much longer to wait?

What I am wondering about though is some of the R2 options. I think all of the R1s (plural, not R1S) have AWD, right? But R2 starts with one motor, which I assume is 2WD. So I will need the two motor version and we have no idea how much extra that will be with AWD. Is the 3-motor version just so I can accelerate faster than I ever need to and wear out my tires? And are there two or three battery pack options? I see the R2 clearance listed as 9.8", which is good enough for me. Not sure if all will have that or only upper trims, or AWD versions.

One thing you get addicted to with Subaru is AWD standard on almost all models, and 8.7" of clearance too. Every Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek has that from the baseline trim up. And having AWD standard is one reason why Subaru usually outperforms same-class vehicles like RAV4 and CR/V. Once AWD is an extra thing that gets bolted on at the factory, it impacts performance. But that is for ICE AWD. I guess that might not apply to adding a motor, as opposed to transferring drive power from one ICE to another axle. I guess once you add the motor, it is just a software difference.

Anyway, lots of time to consider all this while we wait two years. Hopefully that wait time is well-planned and there will be no extra delays, like so many manufacturers stick us with. Thinking of all those trailheads my Bolt can't get to . . .

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[kurtlikevonnegut]

The easy answer is, there just isn't enough detail yet to know. Based on what RJ has said, it sounds like the base model with the smallest battery and single motor will have a physically smaller battery and that's what starts at $45k. Reasonable to expect the single motor with the standard size battery to be $47,500 based on the leaked data. From there, it's tough to say how much the premium will be to go up to dual motor or tri-motor. My guess is that DM will be low 50s and top line Tri-motor will nest just under the starting point for R1 in the high 60s. I don't anticipate more than 2 physical battery sizes, but it's certainly possible that they have range unlocked with an upgrade.

I think for what you're looking at, I'd expect something in the low 50s.

 

[mabowden]

I'm guessing long range dual will start in the high 50's.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I'm guessing long range dual will start in the high 50's.

My read on it based on what was put out is that there won't be a "long range" version. It sounded to me like there will be a "standard" which is likely 100ish kwh pack and a "small" which is likely 85kwh for the base model. That small pack will get 270 miles and the standard will do 325 or so. Based on the numbers presented, I don't think there is room in there for more than 2 range options and I doubt they will do a Max pack like variant for the R2.

 

[DuoRivian]

I can see going from single to dual motor being upto $5k and going from standard to large battery (assuming about 20kWh since range increases from 270 to 330miles at an estimated 3miles/kW) would be no more than $5k.
I wonder if they will have just one spec (like Tesla) since glass roof and dual screens are standard or if there will be Explore and Adventure trims.

 

[drm]

Didn't RJ say that all version will have a range of at least 300 miles?

 

[SANZC02]

Didn't RJ say that all version will have a range of at least 300 miles?

He said all configurations will have a 300 mile option but the base model is single motor around 270.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I can see going from single to dual motor being upto $5k and going from standard to large battery (assuming about 20kWh since range increases from 270 to 330miles at an estimated 3miles/kW) would be no more than $5k.
I wonder if they will have just one spec (like Tesla) since glass roof and dual screens are standard or if there will be Explore and Adventure trims.

I think they will follow the Tesla model with all hardware being standard and all upgrades being software based, whether that's subscription or one time upgrade.

 

[GreenOptimist]

Didn't RJ say that all version will have a range of at least 300 miles?

He corrected that later in follow up conversations to say that it is 270 miles for the base version.

 

[DuoRivian]

I think they will follow the Tesla model with all hardware being standard and all upgrades being software based, whether that's subscription or one time upgrade.

Agree. Just checked the VW website for the ID4 and it’s $5k to gain 70 miles of range and $4k to do from RWD to AWD. I would assume Rivian is close to that.

 

[jupiterking]

Here’s my ideal build:

Base: $45,000
Upgrade to dual AWD: +$4,000
Color options: +$1,000

I hope Rivian keeps it like the R1 and avoids locking too many features into higher trim levels like a lot of OEMs.

 

[BCondrey]

Didn't RJ say that all version will have a range of at least 300 miles?

I think he said they will be capable of 300 miles. The lower trims with smaller packs will be "slightly less" as he put it.

 

[BCondrey]

The single motor will probably not be the first one they launch with. I think the DM and the TM with the 300 mile pack will be first models.

 

[BCondrey]

My read on it based on what was put out is that there won't be a "long range" version. It sounded to me like there will be a "standard" which is likely 100ish kwh pack and a "small" which is likely 85kwh for the base model. That small pack will get 270 miles and the standard will do 325 or so. Based on the numbers presented, I don't think there is room in there for more than 2 range options and I doubt they will do a Max pack like variant for the R2.

I think you are right. I hope they keep it simple so they can produce a ton of them and sell them at a profit. A 100 kwh pack will be a lot quicker to charge than my R1T.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I think you are right. I hope they keep it simple so they can produce a ton of them and sell them at a profit. A 100 kwh pack will be a lot quicker to charge than my R1T.

Agreed, after 1.5 years with an R1T, I'd much rather have a battery that charges faster than a bigger battery that can go farther. I think there are diminishing returns after 300 miles of range with battery size and how that translates to road tripping. I'm good to stop every 250 miles, I'd just like for that stop to be a little shorter.

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