Michigan-based start-up Rivian has officially opened its online configurator to the public, giving us a first look both its electric R1T ute (aka pickup) and R1S SUV in all fully-optioned glory.
With the “Launch Edition” of both highly anticipated vehicles sold out to pre-order customers within five days, it is the “Adventure Package” and “Explore Package” that are now available.
Both the R1T and R1S – which have been pegged for an Australian release, although without any solid timeline – promise to satisfy the needs of those wanting an electric vehicle that can stand up to rugged outdoor adventures.
The R1T’s inclusion in the recent Apple series “Long Way Up” gave viewers a taste of how well it could actually do this.
With two battery pack options for up to 400 miles (643km) driving range on one charge, plus a range of off-road inclusions, the upper end Adventure offers “Maximum capability paired with a premium interior designed for adventure” according to the Rivian website.
The “entry-level” Explore options is described as, “Ruggedly capable with a sport interior built for the elements.”
The configurator gives potential buyers and curious pundits alike the ability to choose various external colour options, plus the more subtle interior differences which centre around finishes, three colour choices of vegan upholstery, heated (and ventilated for the Adventure option) headrests, and recycled floor mats.
It’s certainly nice to see the inclusion of the seven-seater option for the all-electruc R1S SUV, also.
Both Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe and head engineer Brian Gase have indicated the R1T and R1S will come to Australia at some point in time, but there is not yet any indication of when this will be and how much it will cost.
Although the company has not revealed how many Launch Editions vehicles were available for order, it is the only version that will be made and delivered to customers from June 2021 until the launch of the Adventure and Explore versions in the US in January 2022.
Specifications for the Adventure and Explore options are as follows:
| Adventure Package | Explore Package |
|---|---|
| 300+ mile Large pack standard | 300+ mile Large pack standard |
| Off-Road Upgrade with reinforced underbody shield, dual front bumper tow hooks and air compressor | – |
| Powered tonneau cover | Manual tonneau cover |
| Gear Guard | – |
| Rivian Elevation 360° audio | Standard surround sound |
| Natural-grained ash wood interior finishes | Matte black interior finishes |
| Perforated vegan leather seating with patterned stitching | Vegan leather seating with performance stitching |
| Heated and ventilated seats | Heated seats |
| Driver and passenger lumbar adjustment | Driver lumbar adjustment |
| Compass Yellow interior accents | – |
| 100% recycled microfiber headliner | Textile headliner |
| Chilewich floor mats | 100% recycled textile floor mats |
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.