Rivian has been announced since its inception as the Tesla of pick-ups. Planned for a while for 2022 in Europe, the first model is just starting to be distributed in the USA. After some setbacks, the whole program is delayed, but still there. We were able to approach a copy at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.
On the Goodwood green, a little flavor of America, a 21st century version well under way, has invited itself alongside the thousands of historic cars, racing cars and other supercars and prototypes that delight the 50,000 daily spectators of the Festival of Speed. With its 5.51 m length and its revisited traditional pick-up silhouette, the Rivian R1T does not go unnoticed in the rows of cars on demo during this incredible celebration of the automobile in all its forms, including the most modern, therefore.
A design that does not go unnoticed
Massive and yet harmonious, it does not exude an ounce of aggressiveness with its soft-looking front with its small vertical pill-shaped lights housing 4 LED headlamp elements and its wide horizontal LED bar. In its almost military green livery, highlighted with 20 inch rims, off-road tires and matt black fender flares and bright yellow XXL brake calipersit looks great and attracts the curiosity of enthusiasts.
“I assure you, it’s a very nice car”, insists a visibly enthusiastic Briton to his telephone interlocutor to whom he gives a dithyrambic description of the Rivian. We naturally find the so typical “trunk” which crosses it from side to side behind the rear doors, its huge transport tray (1.37 m long) and a rear also barred with a wide strip of LEDs. There is no shortage of storage with the large frunky (trunk under the front bonnet).
Classic interior as possible
Entering the cabin, we are surprised not to have to climb the running boards as the height is reasonable. The width of the cabin is also in standards ultimately close to what we know on our largest vehicles (total width: 2.08 m anyway, mirrors folded). With its large instrumentation screen (12.3 inches) and its very large infotainment screen (15.6 inches) both horizontal, the dashboard is quite classic, with a very correct presentation quality and an assumed sober style.
Wood, aerators stretched across the width, very few buttons, touch controls served by a fast screen: ergonomics seems simple and well thought out. Different driving settings are offered, for the suspension, the body height, the distribution of energy, the crossing off-road or even the traction of a trailer. Huge storage separates the front seats, which are particularly stylish. The raised rear seat offers plenty of space for 3 people.
Already available in the United States
Sold in the USA from $67,000 (€63,500 before taxes) and $85,000 (€80,500 before taxes) in the limited high-end Launch Edition version presented here, it is also joined by an SUV derivative, the R1S. The autonomy can reach up to 640 km (with a battery with a capacity of 180 kWh) and, in 4 wheel drive and 4 engine versions, the Rivian pick-up is capable of accelerating like a super sports car, from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
In terms of equipment, everything is possible, including choosing the optional camp kitchen… Semi-autonomous driving (level 2) is also on the program, thanks to 11 cameras, 5 radars, 12 proximity sensors. Enough to ensure long-distance travel, on the asphalt as well as at the end of the most delicate tracks.
We look forward to it in Europe, but the brand has not announced a specific date for its availability on the old continent. We imagine that the delicate financial situation of Rivian should not play in favor of an immediate European exit.
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