Drifting a giant three-row SUV round a muddy gravel dealing with course may not be one thing your typical Rivian R1S proprietor would ever do.
However merely that I can do it is a testomony to the depth of engineering and tuning that goes into the 2025 Rivian R1 collection, together with the R1S electrical SUV and R1T electrical pickup. Each fashions have been given an in depth revamp that features new motor layouts, battery packs, lighting, and interface particulars—successfully boosting these vehicles’ capabilities whereas serving to set the stage for the arrival of the model’s mass-market R2 SUV household in a pair years.
Relatively than left-foot-braking, as I would do in a rally-driving scenario, I elevate off the accelerator and the entrance wheels scrub velocity momentarily, loading up the regen. Simply as that occurs I chuck the steering wheel sideways and stab my proper foot down, sending the rear of the car kicking outward. Conserving my proper foot planted, the rear wheels churn away on the gravel and keep a wonderful drift, with only a little bit of energy delivered on the entrance wheels to maintain it going.
Rivian R1S within the mud, at DirtFish
That’s primarily what Rally mode helps do—rotate the rear of the car and slide, whereas sustaining management with the steering (and countersteering). I’m working in Rivian’s “diminished” stability management mode, which reels you in with a slight brake drag at one of many entrance wheels—however you’ll be able to flip it off and be actually by yourself in Spin Metropolis.
Deciding on Drift as a substitute, I observe that Rivian’s hydraulic roll management, with its electronically managed valving, softens appreciably, absorbing extra of the harshness from the gravel and extra simply permitting sustained slides however not serving to as a lot to get across the corners.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
Rivian R1T and R1S have “tunable” torque distribution
After heading out on that slippery course twice, at Washington State’s DirtFish rally faculty, I hold circling again to Rivian’s dynamic staff in command of tuning the R1 household and extracting this stage of enjoyable out of the car, as a result of I’m surprised that it’s this accessible, and that the car feels this steady all of the whereas.
“In Rally, we’re speaking about how we get the automotive pointed in the precise path earlier…in order that we are able to optimize grip and get straighter sooner,” stated Luke Lynch, Rivian’s director of auto dynamics. “Whereas Drift, you’re there to go sideways, and so we’re altering that by way of the nook as properly.”
“The torque distribution is our tunable,” summed Lynch, and it varies between these vehicles’ drive modes.
With stability management off, the system within the Tri-Motor R1S defaults to about 30/70, explains Lynch, and it varies between the completely different modes. Tri-Motor variations are a little bit extra difficult to tune, as a result of Quad-Motor variations get a motor for every wheel and you may very exactly management them. With the entrance you’re on the mercy of the differential, and it’s important to use the brakes extra to right course, which isn’t as easy.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
The Rally and Drift modes I’m obsessive about are unique to the Tri-Motor and Quad-Motor variations of those vehicles, two of the variants which can be fully new within the revamped 2025 Rivian R1 lineup.
The Quad-Motor, with twin 2-motor modules, one on the entrance and the opposite on the rear, delivers a mixed 1,025 hp, with 1,198 lb-ft of torque in launch management mode, and it gives 0-60 mph acceleration in lower than 2.5 seconds in accordance with Rivian. Tri-Motor variations, with a single motor at entrance wheels and a 2-motor module on the rear wheels, make 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft, for a 0-60 mph time of two.9 seconds.
There aren’t many electrical SUVs which have this type of multi-motor efficiency or know-how credentials to rival these Rivians straight, dynamically. One in all them is the 2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron, though the Audi doesn’t in any respect have the off-road prowess.
To spherical out Rivian’s contemporary lineup, Twin-Motor fashions break up into common and efficiency variations, with the previous making 533 hp and 610 lb-ft (4.5 seconds) and the latter making 665 hp and 829 lb-ft (3.4 seconds).
There’s little or no to tell apart these fashions on the surface. Quad-Motor brake calipers get a brand new coloration, Laguna Blue, with a low-key “QUAD” badge in the course of their rear badge, whereas Tri-Motor fashions get yellow calipers and a yellow badge strip in again.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
R1S and R1T get new battery packs, not quicker charging
These so-called Era 2 variations of Rivian’s R1S and R1T go properly past motor configurations. Battery packs now supply 92.5-kwh, 109.4-kwh, and 141.5-kwh usable capacities, for Normal, Massive, and Max sizes, respectively, and regardless of much less power in Normal and Massive packs it’s managed to reach at related projected EPA vary scores—beginning at 270 miles for the Normal Pack model and as much as 420 miles for the Max Pack R1T. That’s all enabled by a brand new era of aero wheels (the 22-inchers for one of the best aero, now!), a warmth pump system, and mass financial savings from the physique, the battery pack, and extra.
Regardless of these adjustments, the R1 vehicles retain the low, flat cargo ground in R1S variations and the innovation of the Gear Tunnel in R1T variations. The frunk is a helpful 9.9 cubic ft, and little, considerate touches just like the flashlight built-in into the motive force’s door underscore that those that designed these autos took them out on their very own adventures.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
Then I’m hopping right into a base, Twin-Motor Normal Pack R1T, which is now powered by bigger lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pouch cells. It’s the mannequin that goes a projected 270 EPA miles and prices $71,700, together with the $1,800 vacation spot cost, and I take it on a distinct type of problem, one among Rivian’s off-road programs. It actually provides the suspension a exercise, in the way in which that an particularly washed-out forest service observe may, on the way in which to a hiker’s trailhead.
It consists of fording greater than three and a half ft of water, set within the R1S’ highest journey peak, permitting 14.7 inches of floor clearance. The brown water is lapping up towards the R1T’s newly bejeweled face—with distinct active-matrix headlamps laid out vertically plus the horizontal lightbar’s new RGB functionality, that originally will assist visualize how a lot cost you’ve gotten within the battery.
Later I’m hopping into Quad-Motor R1S and R1T variations at Pacific Raceways in close by Kent, Washington, for a pattern of what precisely they’re able to. Of their launch management modes. The launch feels breathtakingly fast, and Rivian notes that versus earlier Quad-Motor variations, these can keep close to peak energy to a better velocity than earlier than.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
2025 Rivian R1: Softer, extra livable on the highway
I received highway time as properly—with a Twin-Motor Max Pack R1S and Tri-Motor Max Pack R1S, the place I discovered these massive EVs and their newly softer suspension tune, total, to be livable and quiet. The R1S tracks properly on backroads and fast-moving freeways alike. Potential house owners will need to know, although, that these fashions nonetheless cost at a 220-kw most (or 200 kw for the LFP model), that means a 10-80% cost will take 30-41 minutes, in accordance with Rivian.
Rivian has up to date the sensing system and digital structure, flattened and brightened the consumer interface, and added assist for Apple Music and its Spatial Audio requiring a $14.99 connectivity service. You may also use an Apple Pockets or Apple Watch to unlock the Rivian or share keys with household or buddies, however no model of the R1 lineup permits the sharing of your cellphone’s connection through Apple CarPlay.
2025 Rivian R1 lineup
The second-gen R1 household arrives for first deliveries this Friday, June 7. Quad-Motor Max Pack fashions haven’t but been priced and shall be coming a bit later. As Rivian goals towards its mass-market R2, these new R1S and R1T variations stand as harbingers of all of the enjoyable but to come back.
Rivian supplied Seattle lodging and a few wholesome meals to assist facilitate this evaluation.
