First drive: Rivian’s Tri-Motor R1 is more of a good thing, available now
Rivian invited us to come up and drive its new tri-motor “R1 Tri” spec vehicle through the hills of Malibu. Here’s what we thought about the drive.
The event was out of Rivian’s Venice Space, which was showing off the R2 and R3X as part of its R2 tour. But it also hosted auto journalists for a drive of the R1 Tri up PCH and through the famously snaky roads in the hills above Malibu, CA, and a roundtable discussion with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe (which we’ve posted some insights from, about the VW/Rivian partnership and Rivian’s soon-to-be-open Adventure Network).
The new tri-motor Rivian, which Rivian is simply calling the R1 Tri, is a mid-spec addition to its post-refresh product line. It sits between the base model dual motor and the higher-spec quad motor (Rivian has had a quad-motor before, but cut that option when it brought motor development in-house, though it will return in 2025), occupying what one engineer told us is a “Goldilocks” position – not too much, not too little.
Although “not too much” is relative here, because the Tri still offers a whopping 850 horsepower – which is more than, well, just about anything. It may not be as much as the 1,025hp Quad Max, coming in 2025, which shattered records at Pike’s Peak, but 850 is still a lot of go-go-go.
That’s enough to bring you from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, along with the debut of Launch Mode to help drivers coax maximum performance out of their vehicle. Launch mode will track your times, top speed, g-forces, and even capture your launch with the vehicle’s cameras (since we were on public roads shared with traffic and cyclists, we didn’t test this). It also utilizes Rivian’s cute “Gear Guard” mascot for a fun animation.
The Tri works with 1 motor in front and 2 in the rear, which means you have more control at the rear with two motors that are able to work independently of each other. This could come up in off-road situations with difficult traction, and also offers performance benefits in terms of torque vectoring on the axle that does most of the work during acceleration.
We drove the R1T truck, and in our drive on those narrow roads above Malibu, there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to really stretch out that 850hp, at least not in a legal or safe manner. But we never felt even the slightest bit starved for power, zipping up hills and carrying the ~7,000lb curb weight along with us.
For such a large and heavy truck, the R1T was nevertheless impressively nimble. When the truck was in my co-driver’s hands, the rear end did feel jumpy a few times when going over slightly bumpy parts of the road – perhaps a different suspension mode might have helped with this.
While we tried several of the modes available, there are so many permutations of drive mode, suspension stiffness, ride height, steering response, regen mode and so on that it would probably take some time to really dial in the car to make it feel exactly like you want. I’m generally not a huge fan of different drive modes, though for some things like suspension and ride height it makes sense.
In terms of battery, the Tri comes equipped with Rivian’s Max size battery pack, which gives it 371 miles of range. Rivian says you can push this to 405 miles in “conserve” mode, but as usual, your mileage may vary.
These range numbers are both predicated on using road tires. Rivian also offers all-terrain tires with more off-road versatility, but these come with a penalty to efficiency, lowering range to 329 miles.
The Tri comes alongside the debut of Rivian’s new “Ascend” trim level, an interior with premium materials throughout and some additional new features, over and above the hundreds of changes that Rivian made alongside this year’s Gen 2 refresh.
For now all Tris will come in Ascend trim, which includes Rivian Premium Audio, an upgraded 960 watt Dolby Atmos sound system, a darkout package that replaces chrome badges with darker-colored ones, a 150PSI air compressor with a hose that can reach all four tires, and Rivian’s dynamic glass roof which becomes electrochromically opaque at the tap of a button if you want to block the sun.
The interior felt plenty comfortable and obviously spacious for all the time we were in it, though it’s not as directly comfort-oriented as some of the other large EVs we’ve tried, like the Volvo EX90 and the Hyundai Ioniq 9 (the latter was a concept interior, though).
The Rivian still gets points for being exceptionally utilitarian though, with plenty of pockets and storage spaces throughout. This is one reason why Rivian excels in customer satisfaction, because it’s just such an easy vehicle to use.
In the end, the R1 Tri doesn’t revolutionize anything about what Rivian was already doing, but just adds another option for owners who want more power and capability… and are willing to pay extra for it.
The new R1 Tri-Motor is available now, with R1T starting at $99,900 and R1S starting at $105,900 at Rivian.com. Deliveries of inventory vehicles look to have a 1-6 week lead time currently, so should be available by the end of the year – but custom configurations are quoted with a 8-12 week lead time, and thus seem unlikely that they’ll deliver by the end of the year.
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The most powerful car Kia has ever made just got even better. Kia upgraded the EV6 GT, its electric sports car, giving it a stylish facelift and even more power. And it’s still one of the most affordable sports cars (gas or EV) you can get your hands on. The new EV6 GT launched in Korea on Tuesday, starting at just over $50,000.
Kia launches the upgraded EV6 GT in Korea
After revealing the EV6 GT in 2022, the company proclaimed it was the “Most powerful Kia production vehicle ever.”
Boasting 576 hp, the electric sports car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Kia put the EV6 GT up against Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo to prove its prowess, beating both off the line.
Two years later, the electric sports car is already due for a refresh. Kia launched the new EV6 GT in Korea on Tuesday, starting at just over $50,000 (72.2 million won).
With improved front and rear electric motors, the upgraded Kia EV6 GT now packs up to 650 hp (478 kW) and 770 Nm torque when the launch control is active. Without it, the EV sports car still has a whopping 609 hp (448 kW) and 740 Nm max torque.
A Kia official said the upgraded model “will become a new standard that will change the paradigm of high-performance electric vehicles.”
The new standard for electric sports cars
The added power is good for a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/hr) acceleration in 3.5 seconds. With Kia’s 4th-gen bigger (84 kWh) battery pack, the new EV6 GT has a driving range of up to 220 miles (355 km).
It also gains faster charging speeds. The new EV6 GT can fast charge (10% to 80%) in under 18 minutes with a 350 kW charger.
The electric sports car gains more control and stability with an electronically controlled suspension (ECS) and electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD) included as standard.
Kia improved the interior with its latest convenience and infotainment features. It also added an 8-way power function to its exclusive EV6 GT sports bucket seats. The new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens is at the center.
Despite the improvements, Kia said it’s “freezing its sales price.” With incentives, the new EV6 GT starts at just over $50,00 (72.2 million won) in Korea.
In comparison, the Ferrari Roma starts at about $245,000, while a Lamborghini Huracan Evo will run you around $215,000. Even the 2025 Porsche Taycan GT Turbo has a starting price tag of $230,000. At $50,000, Kia’s new electric sports car is a steal.
For those in the US, don’t worry. Kia America introduced the updated EV6 last week at the LA Auto Show. The new model features a bigger battery, faster charging, and an NACS charging port to access Tesla Superchargers.
Thanks to a larger 84 kWh battery, the new EV6’s range is up to 319 miles. The GT model gets a slight performance upgrade, with 601 hp, 25 hp more than the previous model. Prices will be announced closer to launch, which is scheduled for the first half of 2025.
With the 2025 model arriving, Kia is offering massive discounts, with current models available to lease starting at just $159 per month. You can use our link to view offers on the 2024 Kia EV6 near you while models are still in stock.
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Environment
Elon Musk fires back on excluding Tesla from California’s new EV incentive he wants to kill
Elon Musk fired back at California Governor Gavin Newsom who said the state might exclude Tesla from a new EV incentive meant to replace the federal one Musk is trying to kill.
The knives are out.
As we previously reported, Trump’s transition team has already been strategizing about how to repeal the Inlfation Reduction Act and more specifically, the updated federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
Elon Musk is supporting the move even though he admitted that it would hurt EV sales in the US, including Tesla’s, but he believes long term it would help Tesla, which has a more competitive cost structure than other EV manufacturers who could fail without the credits – much like Tesla could have failed with them just a few years ago.
Recently, we even learn that Tesla, which lobbied to get the new federal tax credit, is also now lobbying for Trump to remove it.
Yesterday, we reported that California announced that if the federal tax credit does go away under Trump next year, it will step in with its own extra credit to compensate for it.
Governor Gavin Newsom has since elaborated on the proposal to add a market-share limitation criteria for EVs that would exclude Tesla, which has the most EV market shares in the market. The goal is reportedly to “create the market conditions for more of these car makers to take root.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk called the proposal “insane”:
Tesla is the only one making cars in California, so this move hurts jobs in California.
Tesla employs many people in California, especially at its Fremont factory in the Bay Area, but it also employs engineering and design teams in both southern and northern California.
It sounds like Musk, who is lobbying to remove the federal tax credit, believe that Tesla might have to cut jobs in California if this plan is executed.
Electrek’s Take
As you know if you have been following my commentary on Musk using and not using his influence on Trump to advance EVs in the US, I am really disappointed in him pushing to kill the federal tax credit.
It will undoubtedly slow down EV adoption in the US, which is already lagging behind the rest of the world, and it feels like Tesla is pulling the very useful ladder it itself used just as it doesn’t need it as much and other EV companies greatly need it.
That said, I’m not sure I agree with Newsom’s approach here. Before the Tesla exclusion was discussed, I actually tweeted this:
Since the goal is to replace the federal tax credit, I think it makes sense that California would exclude anyone company who is lobying against it, like Tesla, rather than just because of market shares. They are asking for it, after all.
I think it’s a better reason to exclude them than just: you guys already have too high market shares.
You want to slow EV adoption to gain a competitive advantage, then that’s what you get. Musk couldn’t complain about that without being a hypocrite – though that doesn’t seem to be a big concern for him these days.
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Environment
UCLA receives $20M to electrify bus fleet and deploy California’s first in-road EV charging system
The Events and Transportation Department at UCLA has secured a grant from the state of California totaling nearly $20 million. The funding will be used to transition the university’s bus fleet to 100% electric vehicles, expand service, and fund California’s first in-road EV charging system with the help of Electreon.
UCLA is one of the more prominent universities in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area and wields its presence in
California by promoting sustainable technologies. The school recently shared plans to electrify its entire campus transit service, BruinBus, in anticipation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will take place around its home city.
Recently, UCLA announced the award of a grant that will help make its transition to electric buses possible. The grant will also enable the deployment of a wireless in-road EV charging program with Electreon—the first of its kind in California.
California’s first in-road EV charging is coming to UCLA
UCLA Events and Transportation shared details of the new grant from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, totaling $19.85 million. The grant was awarded in collaboration with CALSTART — a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating clean transportation in California, wireless charging provider Electreon.
Currently, UCLA’s BruinBus routes connect students across residential neighborhoods, the Westwood Village commercial district, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, academic buildings, and other facilities around campus.
Per UCLA, the grant will expand its fleet of five all-electric buses and an all-electric passenger van by adding another eight EV buses. Additionally, Electreon will install inductive charging coils below the road along routes on Charles E. Young Drive between the Westwood Plaza intersection and Murphy Hall.
A first-of-its-kind in California, Electreon’s wireless EV charging technology (seen above) will enable electric passenger shuttles and heavy-duty buses to recharge while driving atop those routes. Electreon has already successfully deployed the same technology along routes in Detroit and recently announced an expansion of the services to support commercial delivery vehicles.
Additionally, UCLA will install static wireless charging spots at passenger pick-up and drop-off locations and transit depots, including a new transit hub between the UCLA bus depot and the planned UCLA/Westwood station. Per Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit:
The new transit hub and extension will be a game-changer for connectivity in Westwood. It will make it easier for everyone to travel between UCLA and key destinations throughout Los Angeles, especially as the city prepares to host the Olympics, thereby fostering a more integrated and accessible urban landscape.
The electrified bus fleets and wireless EV charging areas are expected to be fully operational in California in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
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