Photos of Rivian R1 refresh leak, including new aero wheels and chrome delete
Rivian is about to refresh its R1 line for the 2025 model year, and we’re starting to see a lot of leaked photos showing pretty much all of the exterior changes.
We heard most of the details of the R1 refresh last week from Rivian’s EPA filing, which detailed that the model would get a new cheaper LFP battery on the base model, which should help Rivian get costs down as it seeks positive margins.
But LFP also means lower energy density, which means Rivian needs to find some efficiency improvements elsewhere. Two of those planned improvements are a heat pump, which makes cabin heating more efficient in cold weather, and aerodynamic wheels, which drastically improves vehicle aerodynamics and range.
Now we’re seeing photos of the aero wheels, along with photos of a slightly modified exterior, including possible chrome delete and new headlights.
Several Rivian vehicles have been spotted around Seattle this week, along with the Rivian Space being closed and Rivian being seen filming in the area.
The vehicles feature a similar look to last year’s model, but the one spotted in Seattle has a “chrome delete” which gets rid of the chrome trim around the rear window. This has been a relatively popular modification, with lots of third party installers offering a service to do so.
The vehicles at the factory didn’t have the same chrome delete – so perhaps it’s an optional feature. We also saw a lack of chrome on the upcoming R2, so this unifies the design language between the two (and makes it even more impossible to distinguish from the two models at a distance).
Also visible in the photos above is the new front headlight, which has a “stepped” design instead of looking flat like the older one did. These are new LED headlights, though we haven’t gotten a chance to see them in action yet. This Rivianforums thread has more up-close photos of the headlights
Lastly, and most exciting to me, are the aerodynamic wheel covers. Aerodynamic wheels can add efficiency gains of 5-10%, especially at high speed, though it depends highly on the wheel and vehicle involved.
Basically, the less air you disturb going around the car, the more aerodynamic it is – and spoked wheels act like four little turbines at each corner of the car, pushing air around and making turbulent air that ruins efficiency. The less you do this, the more efficient your car is.
On an electric car this is particularly important, because people seem to have decided that larger range numbers are automatically better, regardless of if you ever use that range. Buyers will pay thousands of dollars to increase range by 10% – so why not just add some plastic covers to the wheels, at a cost of tens of dollars, in order to save thousands on a bigger battery (that takes more material to build, makes the car heavier, and so on)?
That said, on such a large and not particularly aerodynamic vehicle, we think it will likely not give a full 10% range improvement. But we’ll have to see when the cars hit the road.
But if you’ll excuse my soapbox, if we assume aero wheel covers improve efficiency by an average of 5%, and light duty transport uses ~20% of US energy, then we could reduce total US energy use by 1%, or 40 billion kWh per year, just by equipping every car with different wheel covers. Pretty huge gains for such a small action.
Riviantrackr says that the cover is removable, as we’ve seen with aero covers on other wheels. But it likely has a boring, plain-looking spoked wheel underneath which just looks less interesting than the aero covers anyway (I know some people like that for some strange reason, but I think you all are crazy).
Or, if you’d rather see this rant in meme form:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Stellantis is recalling over 375,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids, telling owners to avoid charging and park away from any buildings due to a potential fire risk.
Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee PHEVs
After an internal investigation found 19 reports of fires, Stellantis said it was recalling about 320,065 Jeep plug-in hybrid SUVs in the US.
The recall affects certain model-year 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models.
Stellantis is recalling another 20,753 Jeep PHEVs in Canada, 2,653 in Mexico, and 32,238 in markets outside of North America.
Until the remedy is available, the company is urging owners to refrain from charging and to park away from buildings or other vehicles. The risk of a fire is less when the battery is drained, the company said.
The batteries were produced by Samsung SDI, the same defect that led to the recall of 154,000 Jeep plug-in hybrids in 2024. Vehicles included in that recall will still need the new remedy.
According to Stellantis, nine of the reported fires were from Jeep Wranglers and Grand Cherokees included in the 2024 recall.
Stellantis said a remedy “is imminent,” and affected drivers will be notified when they can schedule a service appointment.
Until then, owners can call customer care at 1-800-853-1403 with questions or concerns. You can also visit recalls.mopar.com for more information.
The recall comes after Stellantis issued one for nearly 25,000 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs less than two weeks ago due to a software glitch that left drivers stranded with bricked vehicles. Some had to be towed to dealers.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Zero Motorcycles, long known for its powerful electric motorcycles, is diving deeper into the world of urban mobility with the launch of the all-new LS1 electric scooter. Unveiled today at EICMA 2025 in Milan, the LS1 is designed to expand Zero’s reach beyond motorcycles and into the increasingly important city commuter segment.
The LS1 marks a key milestone in Zero’s “All-Access” initiative, aimed at making electric two-wheelers available to a broader range of riders. Compact, lightweight, and built for life in dense city environments, the LS1 brings Zero’s signature electric performance into a much more approachable and user-friendly package.
Powered by a mid-mounted motor and fueled by two swappable floorboard-mounted batteries, the LS1 offers up to 115 km (71 miles) of range in standard configuration. Riders looking to go further can add an optional third battery, stored under the seat, to extend range to 170 km (106 miles).
With a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), ABS, traction control, and a low seat height, the LS1 seems to offer the kind of versatility and rider confidence needed for navigating tight European streets.
For charging, the removable batteries can be topped up indoors using the included 800W charger (0–95% in 4.5 hours or 20–80% in 3 hours), or more quickly with an optional 1,500W fast charger that cuts those times nearly in half. That ease of off-board charging, combined with under-seat storage big enough for a helmet or groceries, seeks to make the LS1 a practical daily driver for urban riders and apartment dwellers.
Built as part of Zero’s expanding partnership with Zongshen, which also saw Zero roll out two trail-oriented e-motos, the LS1 seems to offer a nice balance between Zero’s design and more affordable Chinese production. And with a projected price of roughly €5,200 depending on the country/market, it seems reasonably priced to sell.
“The LS1 is designed for the people we see every day in cities like Paris, Milan, or Barcelona,” said Zero CEO Pierre-Martin Bos. “It’s simple, stylish, and makes electric riding accessible to a whole new group of riders.”
Bos recently replaced Sam Paschal as Zero’s new CEO, part of significant shifts lately at Zero that saw the company move its base of operations out of the US and reduce its workforce. A representative of Zero at the EICMA booth also explained that Zero’s former CTO Abe Askenazi is also no longer with the company.
Electrek’s Take
This is an interesting move by Zero, and probably a smart one. Flagship electric motorcycles may feature impressive performance, but they aren’t bringing in big profits right now. Smaller, modest e-motos that fit into more lifestyles are where the volume is at right now.
The LS1 brings the brand’s premium engineering and EV know-how to a format that more riders actually want, and can use every day. It’s lightweight, nimble, and doesn’t try to be a motorcycle in disguise. For city riders who’ve wanted a legit, high-quality electric scooter from a trusted brand, this could be an answer.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
After teasing another new vehicle, Toyota said “a major unveiling” is set for next week. Is this Toyota’s electric truck?
What new vehicle is Toyota teasing now?
After stealing the spotlight at the Japan Mobility Show last week with the Corolla Concept, Land Cruiser FJ, and ultra-luxe Century brand, Toyota is at it again.
Toyota is teasing another new vehicle ahead of what it’s calling a “major unveiling” set for next week. “Get ready to embark on a new journey together,” the company said.
The image appears to be of the new Hilux, Toyota’s compact midsize Hilux pickup truck. The Hilux is the best-selling pickup outside of North America, going head-to-head with the Ford Ranger and other smaller trucks. It’s even Toyota’s most popular vehicle in some markets across Southeast Asia and Africa.
Currently in its eighth generation, Toyota’s pickup is due for an overhaul. Toyota teased the new vehicle, revealing slim LED headlights and a rugged front-end design.
A video from Toyota Thailand offers a better look at the pickup from the back and side. The rear features redesigned taillights similar to those on the front end. You can also see it’s a four-door pickup, or Double Cab.
Toyota said the major unveiling is set for November 10. We have yet to learn the prices or any powertrain specs (or even officially what vehicle it is), but it could arrive with a battery-electric (BEV) powertrain.
According to Drive, Toyota’s plans to release an electric Hilux pickup leaked during the Tokyo Motor Show. A slide shown to Malaysian media was leaked on Instagram, revealing two pickups, one clearly marked as a BEV. The other vehicles included the new bZ4X, Land Cruiser FJ, and Yaris Ativ.
The leaked image comes after Toyota Thailand president Noriaki Kamashita told reporters during last year’s Bangkok International Motor Show that the Hilux EV would launch by the end of 2025.
Although an electric variant is a possibility, the Hilux is expected to continue to be offered with its current mild-hybrid 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine.
We will learn more next week. Check back on November 10 for the full details.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024