- Rivian previews the R3X electric car
- It takes the form of a rally hatch from the ‘80s
- No word yet on pricing of this Rivian model
There isn’t much left in the way of true surprise these days, not with a smartphone camera lurking in every pocket just waiting to snap a shot of the Next Big Thing. That’s why most of us were gobsmacked when Rivian dropped the R3X, an electric car casting the shadow of an ‘80s rally hot hatch but geared slightly more towards adventure with chunkier tires and what appears to be a slightly taller ride height.
More importantly, it’ll pack a trio of electric motors – at least as an option. Details of the Rivian Rex are scant but we do know the regular R3 seems primed for production given the official photos floating around in addition to the looks-ready vehicle shown at the car’s introduction last year. A close look at the R3X interior shows the team’s desire to infuse this thing with entertaining details such as all-terrain and rally drive modes, the latter of which could certainly produce lurid tail-out slides given the available tri-motor setup. At its introduction, top boss RJ Scaringe mentioned a dual motor variant is also on the table.
Precise dimensions aren’t yet on the table for this R3X, though our jaundiced eyes deem it to be smaller than the R2, a forthcoming model from Rivian which measures 185.6 inches long and 66.9 inches wide, putting it within spitting distance in terms of length and width if not estimated height. There’s every chance in the world it will share numerous bones with the R2, both for practicality and economies-of-scale reasons.
The R3 and R3X continue the “are they or aren’t they a crossover” argument started with cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 which looks like a hatchback when viewed in a vacuum. But parked cheek-to-jowl with other machines, or anyone studies the spec sheet, its true size is revealed. Speaking of, these new Rivian models will make a great foil for the Ioniq 5, particularly because it is open knowledge that Hyundai is eventually going to introduce a rugged XRT trim of its angular EV.
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