Rivian
Exactly a year and 10 days ago, Elon Musk said that Tesla was planning on making an electric pickup truck. However, a new player has entered the game in the absence of an electric pickup truck from Tesla. Introducing the Rivian R1T, the electric pickup truck that beat Elon Musk’s Tesla to the punch.
In a prelude to the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Rivian R1T made quite the star-studded debut this week at the Griffith Observatory where La La Land filmed and Rihanna on hand who posed with Rivian CEO and founder RJ Scaringe.
Rihanna at Rivian’s official reveal of the first-ever R1T Electric Pickup Truck at the LA auto show.
The eco-friendly pickup can achieve approx 200 miles (321 km) of range in just 30 minutes of charging. Arriving late 2020. pic.twitter.com/lx10qeSK1v
— Ultimate Rihanna (@URihannaFansite) November 27, 2018
Rivian is a Michigan-based startup and they are attempting to steal some of Tesla’s spotlight by creating an electric pickup. But Rivian doesn’t want to make just any electric pickup truck, this vehicle has some eye-popping specs.
The all-electric truck that seats five passengers will be available in three different battery pack sizes with varying power levels. The base model comes equipped with a 105 kWh battery boasting 300 kW and 413 lb-ft of torque, which propels the truck from 0-60 mph in 4.9 mph. That’s extremely quick. Then there is the long-range version with 522 kW and 826 lb-ft of torque. This battery pack option can power you to 400 miles on one single charge, plus this truck zooms 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
Then there is the 135 kWh model with a 300-mile range and a neck-snapping 0-60 mph acceleration of 3 seconds. That kind of unparalleled truck performance makes it the fastest production pickup on the planet and faster than a 2018 Callaway Camaro SC750 that goes 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. To compare, the Tundra TRD Supercharged sport truck goes 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The Rivian R1T will also feature a towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,763lbs to round out the incredible specifications.
The Rivian R1T is considered to have a “roller skate” platform design with dual control front suspension where the batteries are embedded in the chassis. That means that there is plenty of storage space in the 11.6 cubic foot front trunk. There is also a storage area called the “tunnel” that is perfect for long, narrow objects such as golf clubs and skis. The fold-down tailgate can drop down 180 degrees. The vehicle can lower sight inches to make getting in and out the truck easier. Other features include a built-in flashlight in the driver’s side door and ultrasonic sensors that provide level 3 type highway driving assistance.
Rivian
The R1T will start at $61,500 after the $7,500 IRS tax credit and deliveries are scheduled to ship out beginning in 2020. Rivian will also make an R1S, a seven-passenger electric SUV that starts at $65,000 after the $7,500 IRS tax credit and should be available in 2012.
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[Forbes]