Rivian recently previewed the hardware for the dual-motor powertrain, which it plans to start offering for its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric SUV alongside its existing four-motor setup next year.
Company tweeted a short “progress report” video, in which main actuator design engineer Mason Verbridge says components are going through final validation. Verbridge says in the video production will begin in a few months and a production line for these actuators is currently being set up at Rivian’s plant in Illinois.
Progress report: When our Dual-Motor AWD system is introduced for the R1T and R1S next year, you’ll be able to choose a standard version with 600 hp and 0-60 mph in 4 .5 seconds or the enhanced version increases horsepower to approximately 700 hp and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. pic.twitter.com/Lz4FE06tIe
– Rivian (@Rivian) December 26, 2022
Each drive unit has a single motor and one unit will be installed on each axle to create a dual-motor four-wheel drive system. In the tweet, Rivian said it will offer a “standard version” with 600 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, suitable for in accordance with the previously mentioned specifications. But the company now says it will also offer an “enhanced version” with 700 hp and 700 lb-ft, which cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 3.5 seconds.
Rivian also recently made the Max Pack 180 kwh battery the only one available with a dual-motor drivetrain in the R1T pickup. It is expected to begin building vehicles in that configuration by the end of 2023.
Rivian single motor drive unit
Rivian has tweaked its build and pricing combinations several times, and in March 2022 confirmed some early details on its own dual-engine technology. That was after the price spike in February and March 2022—when it up to 20% increase in price from what was originally proposed and introduced dual-engine versions to replace the four-engine trucks that were suddenly significantly more expensive. The company is finally back to lock down existing pre-orders in with original price.
Rivian is also making changes to its vehicles, mainly through software updates. It recently confirmed that the four-engine truck will receive a increase range after rechecking the EPA. The predicted new 328-mile range for the R1T makes it the range leader among electric pickups today, if you don’t count the GMC Hummer EV’s 329-mile EPA result, which is an unofficial result. because this is not a light truck.
Rivian single motor drive unit
Rivian’s trucks are developed around 400 volt battery packs and system voltages. But as RJ CEO Scaringe told Green Car Reports in 2018, the trucks were designed from the ground up for final upgrade to 800 volts—at least for charging and the battery pack itself. Rivian later said it was working on both internal battery calls—something that could potentially help lower prices in the future, perhaps.
The company also plans to use dual engine components as part of its plan to emphasize affordability, economy and efficiency with a second model line, the R2, to be manufactured in Its upcoming Georgia factory.
