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Rivian Plans Electric Rally Car

Electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive LLC is developing an off-road performance car that will be launched sometime after its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV debut about three years from now.
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Electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive LLC is developing an off-road performance car that will be launched sometime after its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV debut about three years from now.

The third vehicle will be Rivian’s interpretation of a rally car with a lot of ground clearance, CEO RJ Scaringe tells Autocar. He describes the car’s performance as “bananas.”

Rivian unveiled concepts of the R1T and R1S (pictured) last week in conjunction with the Los Angeles auto show. Both vehicles will be built at the former Mitsubishi Motors Corp. manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill., which Rivian purchased in early 2017.
 

Scaringe says several carmakers and other companies have approached Rivian about adapting its “skateboard” electric chassis for their own vehicles. Rivian is open to such deals as long as the architecture is used for non-competing products, according to the report.

Rivian’s skateboard design places the battery and electric drivetrain under the floor of the vehicle, allowing for a larger interior and more storage room. The pickup and SUV will be available with three quad-motor systems and three battery capacities, topping out at 754 hp and 180 kWh, respectively.

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