Less than a week after sending a beautifully wrapped fleet of R2 validation prototypes out into the wild, Rivian founder and CEO has shared more of the design work at HQ, including a look at the EV’s multi-link rear suspension.
We will be able to assemble the upcoming Rivian R2 EV with our mind’s eye if RJ Scaringe keeps posting updates with images of key components.
Over the past month, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has shared several social media posts centered around Rivian’s next flagship EV model, the R2, which is scheduled to hit the market next year.
Recent posts included two looks at Rivian’s Maximus Drive Unit that will power the R2s, the EV’s body harness, and a fleet of validation models assembled on a pilot line at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois, production facility (complete with some fantastic “validation-only” wheels).
Rivian’s company account has also joined the social media onslaught, sharing a video last week of Senior Director of Exterior Design Jonathan Szczupak walking through the unique wraps on the R2 validation EVs before they left Normal, Illinois, for real-world testing.
Today’s post from RJ isn’t as visually pleasing as last week’s camouflage wraps, but it is exciting nonetheless, especially for the CEO behind the new model.
RJ “can’t wait” for people to drive the new Rivian R2 EV
RJ posted the two images above, showcasing the R2’s multi-link rear suspension alongside a brief caption:
The R2 multi-link rear suspension includes 5 stamped steel links and uses an isolated rear subframe to deliver incredible ride quality and handling, while achieving our optimized cost structure. Our “starfish” forged aluminum rear knuckle integrates bushings for each of the 5 rear suspension links to reduce unsprung mass to support enhanced ride quality.
The Rivian founder always does an excellent job of breaking down exactly what is in each photo he posts and explaining the design benefits of said component in a more easily digestible way, especially if you’re not a “gear head.”
What is just as exciting is RJ’s continued enthusiasm for the upcoming Rivian R2 EV. Its hype train is chugging at full speed, and on paper, it has the makings to skyrocket Rivian’s sales reports and set the company up for a nice run of additional models, like the R3 and R3X.
At the end of RJ’s post, he shared this excitement:
Can’t wait for folks to get to drive R2 — it’s sooo good!!
Of course, Rivian’s founder is going to say the R2 is good, but when RJ says it, it’s easy to genuinely believe him. Everything Scaringe and Rivian have shown us of the R2 so far has been impressive, so it’s not unreasonable to think that this new EV won’t just be “so good,” it could be utterly amazing.
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