On Thursday, Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, introduced the R2 SUV at an event held at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach. With an estimated range of 300 miles, the car model is expected to be a game-changer for the company, known for its higher-end R1S and R1T models.
The recently unveiled R2 is also equipped with an impressive range of sensors. It incorporates 11 cameras and five radar systems that is accompanied by advanced computing capabilities. This enables a remarkable degree of “self-driving,” as articulated by RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian.
The car model, priced around $45,000, is designed to be more accessible to a broader audience.
The R2’s reveal was not a solo affair; Scaringe also surprised the attendees with a sneak peek of two additional electric vehicles under the R3 platform, along with production updates and accessory teasers that align with Rivian’s active lifestyle brand. The R3 utilizes the R2 platform, with the R3X model offering enhanced performance.
“It takes the package of R2 and the platform, it shrinks it, it puts it into our take on what is a crossover,” Scaringe says.
He also expressed his enthusiasm for the R2 and R3 vehicles, which are set to offer multiple powertrain options, including single, dual, and tri-motor configurations.
“I’m so excited about what it represents for us as a company in terms of achieving scale,”
The R2’s production has been expedited, with plans to roll out the first units from Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory in the first half of 2026.
The company’s shift in production strategy and the introduction of new battery technology signal their commitment to innovation and sustainability. Additionally, with the launch of the R2, Rivian is making a strategic move to secure its position in the highly competitive EV market.