Rivian R2 and R3: A surprise in California
Even if the financial data is anything but rosy at the moment: The American electric car manufacturer Rivian is launching a product offensive that will also include Europe. At an event in Laguna Beach, California, the brand presented two model series based on a new, medium-sized vehicle architecture. Only the R2 was announced in advance; the smaller R3 is a real surprise.
The R2 is an electric SUV with two rows of seats, which at 4.71 meters long, 1.90 meters wide and 1.70 meters high is aimed at the Tesla Model Y, among others, but has classic off-road vehicle proportions. Stylistically, it looks like a smaller brother of the well-known R1, with propulsion provided by an electric drive with one, two or three electric motors.
There are two battery sizes, both of which are fitted with the new, highly efficient 4695 cells. The rear window can be lowered electrically and the seats can be completely folded down. Prices in the USA are expected to start at 45,000 dollars (around 41,000 euros).
There is also another model: no one had expected the R3 and its premium variant, the R3 X. It shares the drive and platform with the R2, but is even more compact and is also to be priced lower. The X model is designed to be sportier than the regular R3 and will have better off-road characteristics.
Both the R2 and R3 are expected to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around three seconds in their top versions. In terms of style, the designers of the R3 have taken inspiration from European compact cars of the 70s and 80s such as the VW Golf and the Lancia Delta, but also from the Russian off-road icon Lada Niva.
Both models are set to roll off the production line in Illinois; the R2 will be launched in 2026, followed by the R3 a year later. Both will also be available in Europe from 2027. According to Rivian, the R1 models already launched in the USA are too large for Europe, while the EDV/ECV van, originally developed for online mail order company Amazon, has recently been on the roads for the parcel service. (aum/jm)
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