Rivian’s R1T electric pickup truck has only been around since 2021, and their R1S SUV since 2022, but it appears the company already has plans for a refreshed version of their R1 platform, and it could be arriving as early as next year.
The report comes from a member on the Rivian Forums, who received a tip from a “solid source” claiming that the refreshed R1T and R1S will arrive in 2024. This source also mentioned a new “Ascent” trim joining the lineup as a range-topping model. This would include various cosmetic upgrades, such as blacked out badges and trim, as well as functional design changes to improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics. However, if this report is to be believed, there’s more to it than just styling tweaks.
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The most exciting part of this Ascent trim is undoubtedly its powertrain. Despite sounding like a package that would simply enhance the vehicle’s off-road abilities, it supposedly bumps output to over 1,000 hp (1,014 PS / 746 kW) from the current range-topping 835 hp (847 PS / 623 kW). The Rivian Forums member mentions that the power was even enough to lift the front wheels off the ground in testing. Interestingly, this feat was accomplished with a dual-motor setup rather than the quad-motor setup in use on the current R1T and R1S, which could bring into question the quad-motor’s place in the lineup going forward.
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If Rivian could produce all their vehicles with a motor on each axle and simply add performance with software, it would surely be more cost effective than fitting and optimizing certain vehicles to have a quad-motor powertrain. Granted, the motors on this Ascent trim could be different from the ones on the current dual-motor vehicles, but costs could still theoretically be saved in streamlining production. At this point, there’s no way to know about the motors for sure, or if the Ascent trim and all of its power will even come to fruition, so we’ll just have to wait until next year to find out.