Rivian's CEO Claims RAD Vehicles Will Be Essentially Distinct.

      Kristin Shaw

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      Rivian’s RAD vehicles promise significant enhancements. The Rivian Adventure Department (RAD) will concentrate on important hardware changes rather than mere superficial updates.

      Performance and excitement take precedence. RAD aims to boost both on-road and off-road capabilities, making vehicles more dynamic and adventurous.

      Inspired by motorsports and adventure, RAD vehicles will showcase distinctive designs and performance features influenced by motorsports.

      RAD represents Rivian’s skunkworks division, akin to BMW’s M or Mercedes’ AMG, focusing on extending vehicle performance to new heights.

      In summary, Rivian's RAD division is poised to transform performance vehicles with substantial upgrades, integrating motorsport inspiration and capabilities suited for adventure.

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      Rivian’s performance-focused skunkworks division, called RAD (Rivian Adventure Department), is not simply about cosmetic enhancements.

      During an exclusive one-on-one interview on The Drivecast in Park City, Utah, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe stated that RAD products won’t just have new badging; they will undergo fundamental improvements beneath the surface. This will result in significant hardware changes to enhance the performance of RAD models.

      Listen to the full conversation beginning when Scaringe discusses the components of RAD vehicles below.

      The RAD department was officially introduced in February, with the guiding principle of asking “Should we push this further?” and the answer being a resounding “Yes!”

      “RAD is one of the most thrilling aspects of car development, especially with something like the R2. There are many trade-offs and compromises to make, and the real magic happens when you balance those trade-offs perfectly to create a cohesive vehicle. However, hitting a price point requires decisions on where to allocate the budget. If you invest fully in the chassis, you’ll compromise elsewhere, and vice versa with the interior. We aim to distribute resources thoughtfully across the vehicle to create the best overall combination. That said, we make decisions that satisfy the broadest audience but recognize we could push performance further. We can enhance vehicle dynamics significantly, given our engineering capabilities. For us, RAD represents an opportunity to elevate the already fantastic R2 to its maximum potential,” Scaringe explained.

      Scaringe further elaborated, “This means considering dynamics for both on-road and off-road, along with the vehicle's aesthetics. We created RAD knowing that while our current vehicles are well-balanced, we also wanted to produce models that lean more into excitement, performance, and adventure. So, what you’ll see is that these vehicles are not just new badges; they will be fundamentally improved under the hood, which will increase costs but also bring greater excitement.”

      Scaringe clarified that the R3X, which debuted without being linked to RAD, embodies what RAD represents. “When we showcased R3X, we hadn’t announced RAD yet. However, R3X reflected the spirit of what we’d aim for with RAD. If we were launching R3X today, it would be labeled a RAD vehicle due to its performance features, such as a wider track, raised height, and larger, wider wheels. The interior was also significantly upgraded.”

      He commented on the unique features of the R3X, such as the cork dashboard and woven bucket seats, calling them reminiscent of a vivid dream. “Those woven seats were fantastic and had a motorsport-inspired, rally-like essence, showcasing capabilities. This serves as a prime example of what we are aspiring to achieve. Additionally, comparing the colors of R3X to those of RAD products, you can spot strong connections in inspiration,” Scaringe noted.

      Scaringe acknowledged that RAD is truly a skunkworks division, rooted in its origins. “One of the most exciting aspects of RAD for me, as a lifelong car enthusiast, is recalling divisions like BMW’s M, Mercedes’ AMG, or Porsche’s GT lineup. Observing how these evolved and learning about their beginnings is always intriguing,” he shared.

      He continued, “Many of these were authentically created out of enthusiasm, and RAD is genuinely that. A few team members, including myself, recognized the desire to elevate vehicle capability, sometimes with a focus on an imbalanced but powerful performance. It’s rewarding to now have a way to define this vision with RAD, to conceptualize a product portfolio that captures it, and to set up a skunkworks team dedicated to making these cars more extreme. Many of the individuals involved in the program are already known to you, so you can probably envision the team from the diverse group at Rivian.”

      Do you have a tip about a future performance vehicle? Reach out to us at tips@thedrive.com.