General Motors Benchmarking Rivian R1S: Photos
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GM is ramping up its all-electric vehicle efforts, with plans to launch 30 new EVs globally by 2025. To that end, the Detroit-based automaker is also evaluating rival EVs on sale today, including the Rivian R1S SUV.
Our spies captured a Rivian R1S – a fully-electric utility vehicle from the California-based upstart – in the hands of GM’s competitive benchmarking team in the vicinity of the GM Milford Proving Ground.
Take note of the roof-mounted CB antenna, likely used to transmit signals per GM’s competitive intelligence requirements.
The Rivian R1S is Rivian’s entry into the SUV EV segment. Measuring in at 201 inches in length, this all-electric SUV is positioned as a midsize-plus go-anywhere and look-good-doing-it all-purpose vehicle with three rows of seats for up to seven passengers.
Highlights include a 0-60 mph sprint of around three seconds, a 7,700 pound towing capacity, and a water fording capacity of over three feet.
For now, the Rivian R1S doesn’t have any direct competitors. However, with the GMC Hummer EV SUV on the horizon, that will change soon. This is likely the reason why GM is benchmarking its future rival.
The Rivian R1S has a starting price of $78,000, just slightly undercutting the GMC Hummer EV SUV’s $80,000 starting price.
Arriving for the 2024 model year, the GMC Hummer EV SUV will be extremely similar to the current 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup. Both GMC Hummer EV models receive power from GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium drive motors, with output for the range-topping Edition 1 model being rated at 1,000 horsepower.
Under the skin, both Hummer EV models ride on the GM BT1 platform. Production will take place alongside the Hummer EV Pickup at the GM Factory Zero plant (née GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant) in Michigan.
GM has so far received roughly 90,000 pre-orders for the Hummer EV across both the GMC Hummer SUV and Pickup models, and is no longer taking new reservations for the all-electric supertruck. As of July, 1,700 examples of the Hummer EV have been produced.
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From an off-roading perspective, the R1S is a competitor to the Hummer. However, the R1S is far more mobile and way more luxurious than the Hummer. Hopefully GMC is benchmarking this in order to build another GMC SUV that wouldn’t be as in your face as the Hummer and more along the line of an Acadia replacement with better off-road capability.
And LOWER PRICED.
This is idiotic, they need to make a 3 row SUV that’s AFFORDABLE.
Rivian has a chance to become the American Land Rover if they can stay alive these next couple of years.
GM benchmarking them is great if they’re thinking of making an EV Acadia for the masses but with the somewhat off road capabilities of Rivian but obviously nowhere near the Interior that Rivian offers.
An Acadia EV needs to be slightly more expensive than the ICE Acadia
I just cannot get comfortable looking at the weird headlights on the Rivian. Other than that, I prefer its size over the Hummer ESUV.
Headlights bring to mind Little Orphan Annie.
Looks as ugly as the Ford Flex.