Rivian hasn’t let the coronavirus pandemic impact development of its all-electric R1T pickup and in a newly released video, has shown the grueling tests the R1T is being put through.
Unlike most other electric vehicles that were released in recent years, the Rivian R1T, and its R1S SUV sibling, are not designed strictly for urban or highway use. Instead, they are aimed to consumers with an adventurous outdoor lifestyle and, as such, the R1T is being tested in all kinds of difficult conditions.
In this video, we can see the R1T using its four independent electric motors to powerslide around corners on a racetrack while also using its advanced technologies to provide superb grip and great handling balance across gravel and sand. What’s more, the truck is shown climbing over rocks, showing just how capable it will be off road.
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A Rivian engineer states that the vehicle’s software will become so advanced that it will be able to automatically detect what kind of surface it is on and adjust various powertrain settings as necessary without any human intervention.
Earlier this month, Rivian confirmed their pilot production line in Normal, Illinois is up and running. It expects to start deliveries of the R1T in June of 2021, while the R1S will start to reach the hands of buyers in August 2021.
Various different powertrain configurations will be offered, with 105 kWh, 135 kWh and 180 kWh battery packs on offer. Grunt from the four electric motors will range from 402 hp in the base model to 700 hp in the range-focused variant, and 754 hp in the highest performance model.