Rivian has finally revealed the most anticipated version of its R1S and R1T. The Rivian R1 Quad models are the ones with four motors that give a total of 1,025 horsepower.
They also come with one of Rivian’s coolest features, or at least a version of it. The spin-in-place Tank Turn never made it to market, but a new version called Kick Turn is more useful and now actually available.
4 Motors for R1 Quad Means Supercar Speed
With four powerful motors, the Rivian R1T pickup and R1S SUV are suddenly supercar fast. And 0 to 60 takes just 2.5 seconds in these electric monsters. At 10.5 seconds through the quarter mile, they disappear more quickly than Rivian’s sasquatch-like Gear Guard monster when there’s a camera around.
Heck, the new Quad is so quick that it gets a special version of the Rivian mascot with its fur blown back in the breeze.
Rivian builds off-roaders, though, not drag racers, and the four electric motors help make it better when there is no pavement, and not just quicker on it. Four motors allow even more precise torque vectoring and traction control, as the two front wheels are now completely independent, like the rears were.
The motors are oil-cooled now, too. Rivian says that should improve performance in high-torque, low-speed driving. That is, rock crawling.
Get a Kick Out of This New Turn Feature
Those motors power the new Kick Turn feature. Instead of spinning in place like a top (or a G-Class), Kick Turn is meant for tight trail switchbacks and similar corners.
The driver can set how far around a circle it will rotate and how quickly it will spin. It’s easier on you, on the vehicle, and crucially easier on the trail than Tank Turn. It’s also likely easier on Rivian’s software development team. It will work from a stop or at a slow roll, up to about 15 mph.
Rivian’s max range estimate is 374 miles in the standard modes, while it can manage up to 400 miles in Conserve mode. That goes for both the truck and the SUV.
Rad Tuner is another feature that will be handy for on and off-road. It gives the driver way too much control over ride and handling, letting you set up your own drive modes. Instead of simple modes like “comfort” and “sport,” you can adjust damping over a wide range, roll stiffness, stability, even wheel slip, and torque balance. That one’s going to be fun.
Rivian R1 Quad Models Available Now
The R1S and R1T Quad models are arriving first in Launch Edition trim grades. They come with lifetime access to Rivian’s connected car services as well as bonus features like a built-in camp speaker and Launch-specific interior and exterior details. The two EVs will come with Storm Blue or the Launch Green that was available for a limited time on the first run of Rivian vehicles.
Both Rivian R1 Quad models are available to build and order on the company’s website now. The R1T pickup starts from $119,990, with the R1S SUV starting from $125,990. Deliveries should start within the next month.
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