Rivian: Surprise in California 🎥
EUROPEAN DIMENSIONS Although the financial data currently looks anything but rosy, the American electric car manufacturer Rivian is launching a product offensive that should also gain a foothold in the European markets from 2027.
At an event in Laguna Beach, California, the brand presented two model series based on a new, mid-size vehicle architecture. Only the R2 was announced in advance. The slightly smaller R3 is therefore a real surprise.
Compact SUV with two rows of seats
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 drivetrain with one, two or three electric motors. There are two battery sizes, both of which are fitted with the new, efficient 4695 cells. The rear window can be lowered electrically and the seats can be folded down completely. Prices in the USA are expected to start at 45,000 dollars.
Premium variant R3 X for the terrain
Another model joins the R2. Nobody had expected the R3 and the premium variant R3 X (gallery). It shares the drive and platform with the R2, but is even more compact and is also to be priced more affordably. 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 designed 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 were inspired by European compact cars of the 70s and 80s such as the VW Golf and the Lancia Delta, but also by the Russian off-road icon Lada Niva.
Launch in Europe in two years' time
Both models are set to roll off the production line in the US state of 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, and the EDV/ECV van originally developed for the online mail order company Amazon has already been on our roads for a short time for the parcel service.
