UPDATE

RIVIAN R1T

A world first

In a world first for the 4x4 industry, an all-new, from the ground up, electric pick-up has been devised in the US of A with practicality, capability and efficiency in mind. The Rivian R1T, which offers a decent driving interval between charges and an 800kg payload, is right on the money as a practical load-carrying solution. It will be produced by the California-based company, along with an SUV derivative, the R1S, from late 2020.

At launch, the start-up company is offering three battery packs with outputs of 105kWh, 135kWh, and a range-topping 180kWh. For perspective, the world’s fastest-accelerating production car, the Tesla P100D, uses a 100kWh battery.

Despite its mass, a heady 2.7 tons, and the extra complication of four-wheel drive, the top-spec Rivian will do a Ferrari-bashing sprint to 100km/h in around 3 seconds. More critically, it offers a range of over 640 kilometres under the right conditions. A fast-charging facility enables owners to boost range by 200km with a half-hour charge.

There will surely be sceptics about the applications of high-voltage battery systems in off-road conditions – especially where water is involved – though Rivian claims a 1m wading depth. Due to the ‘skateboard-type chassis construction, Rivian also offers 360mm of ground clearance in its highest suspension setting – more than any current production SUV.

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