Why the Rivian R1S Should Give Competitors Nightmares
Rivian’s fully-electric SUV is seriously formidable. In fact, some supercars and sports cars have less power output. Some of the most popular off-road vehicles in the industry don’t have as much capability on trails. The R1S isn’t to be trifled with. Here’s why Rivian and the R1S’ name should strike fear in the hearts of competitors.
The Rivian R1S has two mighty powertrain options
The standard R1S powertrain is a dual-motor setup that makes 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant amount of power, even for a full-size SUV. The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the most popular internal combustion engine full-size SUVs. It has a max horsepower output of 420 horses.
The R1S Launch Edition uses a quad-motor system to produce an astonishing 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque. That’s more horses than a Lamborghini Urus Performante. The Urus Performante makes 657 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.
The Rivian R1S is more powerful than the majority of SUVs on the market. Frankly, it has the power of a supercar. The R1S proves that electric vehicles can be just as powerful, if not more powerful, than internal combustion engine vehicles. The full-size SUV isn’t just powerful, it’s also quick. According to MotorTrend, it can go from 0-60 miles per hour in around 3.1 seconds. How many full-size SUVs can compete with supercars on a track?
The R1S can go where most SUVs cannot
The Rivian R1S is an off-road SUV designed for serious adventurers. The SUV has 14.9 inches of ground clearance. It’s able to tackle extreme obstacles off the beaten path. The R1S allows drivers to take the road less traveled because of its unique design.
It has around 3.0 feet of wading depth. The EV can climb rocks, and it has an off-road driving mode. Its near-instantaneous torque is perfect for when drivers need power in a pinch. The great outdoors are your playground with a vehicle as capable as the R1S. The Launch Edition configuration takes things to a whole new level.
The Rivian R1S is just the beginning for Rivian
Rivian has to produce more affordable electric vehicles to compete with automakers like Tesla. The R1T and R1S are far too expensive for the average consumer. Money.com claims that the average new vehicle price is close to $50,000. The R1S’ base price is $78,000.
Rivals should be very afraid of the R1S because it shows what Rivian can accomplish as a brand. A more affordable midsize or small SUV could make a huge impact on the EV space. Granted, a more affordable SUV won’t be as powerful or capable, but it will still share several traits with the impressive R1S.
If Rivian eventually produces a small and midsize SUV, it could be a fierce competitor in the electric vehicle space. The brand may not seem like a threat to companies like Tesla, General Motors, and Ford now, but it has great potential. The R1S walked so future Rivian SUVs could run. It may not be a feasible purchase for most drivers, but it’s certainly making an impact in the industry.
