- Rivian’s first-ever special edition is the California Dune, and it comes with some neat accessories and body protection
- However, its mechanicals remain unchanged, with horsepower still a sprightly 850 ponies
- Pricing starts at $149,900 for the 2025 Rivian R1T Dune in Canada
Rivian late February took the covers off a new California Dune option on its R1T and R1S, a trim the brand calls its first limited-edition vehicle. Set to act as yer butler across the sand, this model layers some off-road upgrades on top of the boxy all-electric pickup truck and SUV.
Building on the top-tier tri-motor model, the California Dune adds numerous accessories, including a set of Maxtrax recovery boards, dark-hued cargo crossbars on the roof, and a powered tonneau cover on the truck. More meaningful updates include underbody skid plates hove under the vehicle, and an on-board air compressor. Stylists also opted to append the Darkout Package as part of the California Dune, meaning exterior trim from badging to skid plate have been dipped in a pot of inky black finishings.
This rig’s interior gets a style of its own compared to other Rivian trims, using a high-contrast colourway and materials the brand describes as “rugged.” The Sound + Vision package, which includes a glass roof and banging audio system, is standard on the California Dune. There is also a smattering of trim-appropriate badging in the cabin.
In case you’ve forgotten, the tri-motor all-wheel-drive configuration produces a staggering 850 horsepower and 1,103 lb-ft of right-now torque, enough to push these barn doors from zero to highway speeds in a tick over 3.0 seconds. Range is pegged at 529 kilometres (329 miles) on a fully charged battery, but don’t expect that level of long-legged performance whilst constantly hammering it through a series of desert sand dunes.
In Canada, pricing starts at $149,900 for the R1T and $158,900 for the R1S, though if you want those natty colour-matched retro wheels, be prepared for cough up an extra 1,500 clams. Identically styled satin graphite rims are a no-cost option. A base tri-motor R1T and R1S are tagged at $142,900 and $150,900, respectively.
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