en.Wedoany.com Reported - Rivian has demonstrated the iterative thinking of a tech company with the R2 compact SUV, which features a new electrical architecture, 4695 battery cells supplied by LG Energy Solution, and an improved Maximus electric drive unit. The bill of materials cost is 45% lower than the second-generation R1, with 90% fewer components in the underbody and a 30% cost saving on the Maximus drive unit compared to the R1's Enduro drive unit.
Company founder and CEO RJ Scaringe specifically mentioned that the R2's rear window can slide into the door like a regular side window, similar to the Toyota 4Runner, and produces no wind noise even when opened at high speeds. The new vehicle offers 90.1 cubic feet of total cargo space and 5.2 cubic feet of front trunk space, with seats, door panels, and dashboard made from Advantex material containing at least 50% recycled content. The interior features a Haptic Halo steering wheel, which enables multiple function controls through vertical rollers on both sides and provides noticeable tactile feedback. The R2 has a low entry height but lacks rear overhead handles; Rivian says customers do not need them for getting in, but passengers may use them for stability on bumpy roads.
Rachel Jewkes, Director of Vehicle Lines for the R2, stated that the new unibody body uses high-pressure die-cast parts in key areas, and the battery pack structure contributes to stiffness, eliminating the need for a large central casting. The battery pack has a capacity of 88 kWh, with the standard rear-wheel-drive version achieving a range of 345 miles, using 4695 cells supplied by LG, each with six times the energy of the R1's 2170 cells. Vidya Rajagopalan, Senior Vice President of Electrical Hardware, told Design News that the battery pack is a 400-volt system because the R2 is designed for its target price, and the incremental benefits of 800 volts are minimal. The R2 also abandons the 48-volt electrical system in favor of a traditional 12-volt system; Rajagopalan stated that customers gain no benefit from 48 volts, and 12 volts achieves the same functionality at a lower cost.
The R2 offers eight driving modes and is equipped with a dual-pinion electric power steering rack. The battery pack integrates a Powerhouse electronic module, consolidating five components from the R1 into one, with wiring harnesses weighing 44 pounds less, 2.3 miles shorter in length, and 60% fewer connectors compared to the second-generation R1.
The R2 plans three powertrain options: a high-performance dual-motor all-wheel-drive version rated at 656 horsepower and 609 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, priced at $59,495; a Premium version with 450 horsepower and 537 lb-ft of torque, accelerating in 4.6 seconds, priced at $55,485; and a standard single-motor rear-wheel-drive version with 350 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque, accelerating in 5.9 seconds, priced at $49,985. A base version will be delivered in summer 2027, priced at $45,000, with actual cost including destination fees at $46,485, featuring a smaller battery pack and a range of 275 miles. The rear window lowering function is not available as an option on the standard version.
The R2 comes with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, capable of charging the battery from 10% to 80% in under half an hour, and supports bidirectional charging up to 11 kW. The vehicle offers a subscription-based Level 2 hands-free driver assistance system, equipped with a ten-camera and five-radar sensor suite, including dual-mode units replacing ultrasonic sensors. Rajagopalan stated that at launch, the hands-free system will not recognize stop signs or traffic lights, but plans to add lidar sensors in the future to enable driving capabilities without the driver's eyes on the road.
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