Hot off the heels of the reveal of the R2 and R3, Rivian is not resting on its laurels but because it now brings to market these two electrical SUVs. While we’re a couple of 12 months or two away from these two fashions hitting the showroom flooring, a patent submitting has lately been unearthed that Rivian can be engaged on a 3rd automobile as nicely.

That third automobile, nonetheless, belongs to a mannequin vary that already exists, however it’s nonetheless very a lot a major automobile. That patent filing points to a new model in the Rivian R1 range called the R1X. This signifies that it is going to be a big electrical automobile (EV) for the reason that R1 vary is the model’s flagship. Bu,t what’s an R1X, what is going to it seem like, and what’s its objective within the Rivian lineup?

In order to provide the newest and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with US PTO, Rivian Owners Forum, AutomobileBuzz, Rivian, The Verge, Reuters, and Cox Automotive.

‘X’ Marks The Spot

The trademark submitting for the Rivian R1X was filed in March 2021 and accepted in October 2023, however it wasn’t till lately that customers from the Rivian Owners Forum managed to discover this trademark filing. The query now’s, what does the X stand for, for the reason that Rivian R1 vary is available in an R1T pickup format and an R1S three-row SUV?

It Could (Possibly) Indicate A Performance Model

With the invention of the Rivian R1X, it now begs the query of what its objective will probably be within the R1 vary. Well, if the brand new R3X is any indicator, the R1X might most likely be a high-performance model of the R1 mannequin vary. Take this one with a grain of salt for now, since Rivian has confirmed nothing of the kind and is solely primarily based on what the American EV producer did with its newest fashions.

As talked about, the R1T and R1S are two different body styles, and an R1X is much less prone to point out a 3rd physique fashion. This now begs the query of whether or not it will likely be the pickup R1T or the R1S three-row SUV that may get the “X” remedy. R1SX or R1TX would have made probably the most believable sense, however nicely, we do not know what’s within the minds of the engineers and advertising group at Rivian.

How Much Performance We May See Out Of An R1X

Again, if the R3X is anything to go by, then we hope for a model of the R1 mannequin vary that packs lots of energy. The factor is, at its most potent Quad Motor kind, the R1T and R1S are already so highly effective, that we do not even understand how a lot energy the oldsters at Rivian might construct upon with the R1X.

The Quad Motor variations of the Rivian R1T and R1S are at the moment the quickest and most potent Rivians you should purchase for the time being. With 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, these behemoths can dash from zero to 60 mph in simply three seconds.

Therefore, we hope that an R1X will most likely have greater than 1,000 horsepower–putting it on par with one other extremely potent electrical pickup, the tri-motor model of the GMC Hummer EV with 1,000 horsepower and an earth-shattering 1,200 pound-feet of torque. which is nice sufficient for a 60 mph dash from a useless cease in simply 3.1 seconds.

What Else Rivian Needs To Make The R1X Appealing

To construct yet one more go-fast model of the Rivian R1 fashions will most likely lead to a restricted quantity of curiosity. With the Quad Motor variations already producing 835 horses, the facility enhance will not have an enormous impact in bettering the R1S and R1T’s already spectacular attraction. Therefore, it must be extra than simply one other dose of fast acceleration to ensure that the R1X to be actually interesting and to set itself aside farther from the R1T and R1S.

It Needs Improved Driving Characteristics

Our associates from CarBuzz have already driven the Rivian R1T and have been left impressed with the way it drives. On the highway, the automobile feels surefooted and brisk, whereas off-roading prowess is second-to-none. However, if the R1X’s promoting level would be the improved power–which most likely nobody ever stated was missing within the R1T and R1S, then that will not be sufficient to justify one other go-fast model within the R1 mannequin vary.

What it wants is improved driving traits than it already is immediately. Granted, the R1T and R1S are already good, so to make it really feel much more sporty and much more off-road succesful can be welcome upgrades. The R3X is claimed to be a greater driving automobile than the usual R3, so if that mannequin is any indication, then the R1X also needs to be parallel with the R3X. Just how a lot the R1X will enhance upon the usual R1T and R1S remains to be unknown, since even the R3X is likewise in its growth phases regardless of already being revealed earlier this 12 months.

Also Improved Functionality

Now that is going to be a tricky one, as a result of if something, the R1T and R1S are already the pinnacle of functionality in terms of fashionable automobiles. For occasion, the R1T’s Gear Tunnel–a lengthy storage space that is positioned in between the truck’s mattress and the cab, is an progressive storage answer that might’ve been in any other case attainable if the R1T was a pickup with an inside combustion engine (ICE). That Gear Tunnel doubles as a range and kitchen sink when fitted with an non-obligatory bundle that is price $5,000.

Now, for the R1X, Rivian might construct upon the ingenious and intelligent storage options it has already developed, and mix it with new methods that showcase the rugged capabilities of the R1 mannequin vary. The sky is just about the restrict for the engineers at Rivian–or maybe the fee and technical feasibility of no matter it’s cooking for the R1X.

Rivian’s engineers might even create hooks and partitions that would make the R1X interesting to those that plan to carry a mud bike or perhaps a provision for an awning since overlanding has been a thing among SUV and pickup owners lately.

The Challenges That Lie Ahead For Rivian

Developing a brand new automobile is simpler stated than carried out, and for a corporation like Rivian, this has been confirmed many instances primarily based on the delays its clients have skilled with the R1T and R1S. The firm could not but have the production scale of a brand like Tesla, which already constructed a manufacturing and provide chain over its lifetime, however it do be taught from its errors, which makes it a model that is additionally looking forward to its future.

Ramping Up Sales And Profitability

Rivian as an organization is not but worthwhile. They’re churning out nice EVs, however it’s one other problem to truly become profitable out of your personal operations. As a end result, the corporate’s future–and even the R1X since that is only a mere patent submitting, remains to be unknown at this level. Only time will inform when Rivian turns into worthwhile, however to ensure that that to occur, it additionally wants to beat one other problem.

The present scenario of the EV market is that, whereas 2024 remains to be anticipated to be a 12 months the place extra EVs are bought than earlier than, sales growth will be much less than in past years. The so-called EV gross sales slowdown is actual, which is why a ton of automakers like Aston Martin recently announced its plans to delay the EV rollout by a couple of 12 months or two.

Unfortunately for Rivian, it does not promote any ICE vehicles, so assembly its profitability objectives may very well be tough within the present market scenario. Likewise, the corporate has yet to be able to scale up its production output, however that most likely will probably be delayed as nicely as a result of aforementioned EV gross sales slowdown.

A Company That Learns

While we could have seen this patent submitting for the R1X, it might take some time earlier than they really launch this automobile. That’s as a result of, aside from being busy with the R2 and R3, it has realized loads from the simultaneous release of the R1T, R1S, and the EDV commercial van. By working and aiming to launch three EVs concurrently, these fashions skilled lots of delays, and even recollects the second that they obtained into the market.

Therefore, the R2 and R3 will not be launched concurrently. The R2 will come out first, and in an effort to attain its $45,000 base value aim, the R2 was simplified as a lot as attainable while retaining the quirky core values of Rivian.

This contains excessive inside flexibility, such because the flashlight that is mounted on the doorways, however the detachable Bluetooth speaker, which is commonplace on the R1T and R1S, will probably be eliminated within the R2. Also, the R2 won’t come with air suspension, however with fastened, metal spring suspension as a substitute.