Rivian Automotive is not going to allow the “tank flip” function in its R1 off-road autos as a result of the four-wheel thrust wanted to rotate in a circle is doubtlessly damaging to trails, CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed in response to a query on social media.
The function was the topic of a viral video posted on Christmas Day 2019 that confirmed a silver R1T pickup spinning in a circle, clockwise, in a muddy area. The promotional spot was made earlier than the electrical truck went into manufacturing in 2021. The video attracted 2.3 million views on YouTube.
“This was one thing early in this system that we deliberate to do,” Scaringe stated on an Instagram video final week as he answered questions from followers of the California EV model. “In reality, we confirmed a video of it.”
Tank flip is made doable by the inclusion of 4 motors on the top-end R1T, one at every wheel, Scaringe stated. When left-side motors are pushing ahead and right-side motors are pulling backward, the pickup can spin on its heart axis. The quad-motor configuration places out 835 hp, Rivian stated.
However because the video reveals, the trick is tough on the dust floor beneath the spinning off-road tires.
Scaringe addressed the lacking tank flip function within the question-and-answer session final week. “During the last yr and a half, we have arrived on the view that it is a function that, whereas we are able to do it, it is so simply abused and so laborious to be sure that we do not tear up the paths and actually do issues which are in distinction to what we stand for as an organization.”
MotorTrend additionally identified, in September 2021, that the tank flip function is tough for a driver to regulate.
After speaking to a Rivian government, MotorTrend stated, “Rivian found the quantity of energy wanted to get all 4 wheels spinning leads to loads of wheel pace, which finally ends up making the truck spin round very quick. From the within of the truck, it is a hell of a journey, a lot so there’s concern it will scare drivers who aren’t prepared for it, which may end in a lack of management if the motive force panics.”
In final week’s question-and-answer session, Scaringe appeared briefly in entrance of a clay mannequin of a future Rivian car that shall be constructed on its R2 platform. Rivian has stated R2 autos shall be considerably extra reasonably priced. The bottom R1T now begins at $74,800 with delivery.
The R2 clay mannequin was coated with tarp, leaving solely the final outlines of a crossover.
The InsideEVs web site estimated the clay mannequin is about 70 inches tall and 177 inches lengthy, a bit of larger than the Ford Bronco Sport, which is a compact crossover.
Rivian’s R1T and R1S crossover are midsize autos. The three-row R1S is about 201 inches lengthy.
Scaringe supplied no commentary on the R2 design. In response to a query about Rivian exports to Europe, Scaringe stated R2 autos are anticipated to be bought in a number of markets.
Rivian is constructing a manufacturing unit in Georgia to assemble a number of autos on the R2 platform, beginning in 2026.
The manufacturing ramp of R1 autos from Rivian’s Regular, Sick., manufacturing unit can be accelerating, Scaringe stated. Further motor and battery configurations are coming this yr, he added.
“We proceed to ramp, this can be a core focus,” Scaringe stated. “You are going to see quarter over quarter, increasingly more manufacturing models popping out and, together with that, the enterprise actually begin to obtain its clear path to profitability.”