Rivian’s essential R2 EV launch to start with $58,000 mannequin in spring

Rivian Automotive will launch gross sales of its essential R2 all-electric car this spring with a roughly $58,000 particular version mannequin, the corporate introduced Thursday.

The primary of the R2 midsize autos will likely be a efficiency mannequin with a “Launch Bundle” that features a 330-mile vary, twin motors, particular attributes and “lifetime” entry to its Autonomy+ superior driver-assistance system. The car can have 656 horsepower and 609 foot-pounds of torque, and is able to accelerating from 0-60 mph in as fast as 3.6 seconds.

Rivian has been touting a inexpensive, entry-level model of the car, beginning at $45,000, nevertheless it mentioned that mannequin, which is anticipated to be much less worthwhile, will not be obtainable till late 2027. Its present autos begin at greater than $70,000

The R2 is taken into account a make-or-break second for Rivian after the corporate has misplaced billions of {dollars} and seen waning demand for its present autos: the R1 SUV and pickup and an electrical supply van. The R2, from an exterior perspective, is actually a smaller model of the R1 SUV, however the firm has reworked the car’s software program, electrical system and elements in an try and make it extra environment friendly and worthwhile.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has promised traders that the R2 will likely be a turning level for the corporate’s earnings, gross sales and applied sciences. The EV maker can also be aiming to launch hands-free, eyes-off driving to higher compete towards U.S. EV trade chief Tesla.

“R2 is the important thing transition car for Rivian to remodel right into a scaled auto producer, which in flip helps drive working leverage throughout the enterprise (together with R1),” mentioned Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco.

Morgan Stanley famous that whereas it is bullish on long-term demand for the R2, it stays extra “cautious within the near-term” as the corporate transitions to its third-generation electrical structure that can debut on the brand new car.

Others, similar to Barclays, have questioned the demand for the R2, which Rivian has mentioned is anticipated to anchor its present plant in Regular, Illinois, in addition to an upcoming, multibillion-dollar plant in Georgia that is anticipated to be able to producing as much as 400,000 autos a 12 months.

“There’s growing uncertainty on R2’s quantity outlook following the current detrimental coverage developments (i.e. $7.5k IRA credit score expiration, lowered reg credit, tariff prices), with R2 probably launching in a interval of weak US EV demand,” Barclays analyst Dan Levy mentioned in an August investor observe analyzing potential demand for the car.

Along with altering federal laws, such because the finish of as much as $7,500 in federal tax credit, the R2 involves market as many automakers are pulling again their EV plans or writing off billions of {dollars} in losses amid slower-than-expected adoption of the autos. Analysts have additionally considerably lowered expectations for market share development within the years forward.

Scaringe has mentioned the corporate expects the R2 to not solely compete with EVs such because the Tesla Mannequin Y — the bestselling EV globally — but additionally conventional gas-powered autos.

The R2 is similar to the Mannequin Y in lots of key areas. It is related in dimension, mile vary and its acceleration time. The Mannequin Y, nonetheless, begins at roughly $40,000 and already provides lots of the driving applied sciences Rivian is making an attempt to perform with the R2.

“R2 is an distinctive car and I imagine will likely be a recreation changer for our clients, our firm and the trade,” Scaringe mentioned final month throughout a name with traders on the corporate’s quarterly earnings outcomes. “R2 is an extension of the expertise we delivered in R1 with design parts and efficiency to encourage journey however in a smaller kind issue and, importantly, at a lovely cheaper price level.”

Shares of Rivian have been increased forward of particulars of the R2 being launched, buoyed by an improve by TD Cowen to purchase based mostly on a current deep dive on demand traits for the brand new EV.

Scaringe described 2025 to traders final month as a “foundational 12 months” for Rivian, whereas saying 2026 will mark “an inflection level” for the corporate.

Rivian’s 2026 steering contains adjusted pretax losses of between $1.8 billion and $2.1 billion and capital expenditures between $1.95 billion and $2.05 billion. That compares with practically $2.1 billion in adjusted pretax losses and $1.7 billion in capital expenditures final 12 months.

Listed here are further particulars Rivian launched Thursday on its deliberate R2 lineup:

• Spring 2026: R2 Efficiency and “Launch Bundle,” beginning at $57,990. Options all-wheel-drive, as much as 330-mile vary, and 656 horsepower and 609 foot-pounds of torque.
• Late 2026: R2 Premium, beginning at $53,990. Features a dual-motor AWD setup that produces 450 horsepower and 537 foot-pounds of torque and as much as 330 miles in vary.
• First half of 2027: R2 Customary, beginning at $48,490. Options rear-wheel drive with 350 horsepower and 355 foot-pounds of torque and as much as 345-mile vary.
• Late 2027: R2 Customary, beginning at round $45,000. The corporate has launched restricted different particulars concerning the mannequin aside from that it is anticipating to supply a greater than 275-mile vary.