An electric vehicle manufacturer called Rivian has announced that they have raised $700 million as part of an equity investment round led by Amazon.
Creating all-electronic vehicles to “inspire people and get out and explore the world”, Rivian initially debuted their very first EV lineup of an SUV called R1S and a 5-passenger pickup called R1T at the 2018 LA Auto Show.
“I started Rivian to deliver products that the world didn’t already have – to redefine expectations through the application of technology and innovation,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian Founder and CEO. “Starting with a clean sheet, we have spent years developing the technology to deliver the ideal vehicle for active customers.”
“This means having great driving dynamics on any surface on- or off-road, providing cargo solutions to easily store any type of gear, whether it’s a surf board or a fishing rod and, very importantly, being capable of driving long distances on a single charge,” explained Scaringe. “From the inside out, Rivian has developed its vehicles with adventurers at the core of every design and engineering decision. The R1T and R1S are the result of all this work and we are excited to finally introduce these products to the world.”
Set to be made available to the market in 2020, the EVs are able to deliver up to 400+ miles of range and “provide an unmatched combination of performance, off-road capability and utility”.
Utilizing Rivian’s skateboard platform of 200 horsepower on each of its four independent motors alongside the world’s largest automotive battery pack of up to 180 kWh, both R1T and R1S are capable of reaching 60 mph in 3 seconds and 100 mph in 7 seconds.
“The beauty and elegance of our quad-motor setup isn’t just about brute power; this architecture provides instantaneous torque with extremely precise control at each wheel, which is completely game-changing from a dynamics perspective, both on- and off-road,” said Executive Director of Engineering and Programs Mark Vinnels.
With the exterior design of R1T and R1S described as being clean, modern, and refined, the interior features sustainably sourced wood that “welcomes occupants into a premium environment that conveys craftsmanship yet invites rugged, daily use”.
“Although the exterior of the vehicle is what first attracts you, the interior is where you spend the most of your time, so we really focused on creating a transformational space inside our vehicles,” said VP of Vehicle Design Jeff Hammoud. “The biggest challenge was creating an interior design that delivered a premium experience, while still being comfortable as a space that is heavily used. To do this, we looked outside the automotive industry and took inspiration from contemporary furniture, as well as hiking and outdoor gear, to drive the design.”
The R1T and R1S EVs also feature a lidar, radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, GPS and maps to enable Level 3 autonomy for highway operation.
“We’re inspired by Rivian’s vision for the future of electric transportation,” said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer. “RJ has built an impressive organization, with a product portfolio and technology to match. We’re thrilled to invest in such an innovative company.”
“This investment is an important milestone for Rivian and the shift to sustainable mobility,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian Founder and CEO. “Beyond simply eliminating compromises that exist around performance, capability and efficiency, we are working to drive innovation across the entire customer experience. Delivering on this vision requires the right partners, and we are excited to have Amazon with us on our journey to create products, technology and experiences that reset expectations of what is possible.”
To learn more about Rivian, click the link below.
