Rivian recently got the Tesla treatment. An X user, @hilbe, found some code on the Rivain website and displayed it for the world to see. This accidental reveal gave us a sneak peek of Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV. Set to be officially unveiled tomorrow, March 7th, the R2 is poised to be Rivian's entry into the increasingly competitive small SUV market, directly challenging Tesla's Model Y, the current best-selling vehicle globally.
***BREAKING NEWS***
Rivian R2 Specs Leaked!!!
- Starting price $47,500 - Range up to 330 miles - 0 to 60 in 3 seconds - Seats 5 - Length 185.6 in - Width 75 in - Width with Mirrors 84.4 in - Height 66.9 in - Max Ground Clearance 9.8 in - Wheelbase 15.6 in - Wheel and Tire… pic.twitter.com/VcB13HW2lh
The R2 builds on the legacy of the R1 series, including the R1S, R1T, and their electric delivery van. This new model is set to redefine expectations with a starting price of $47,000 and promises up to 330 miles on a single charge.
The inadvertently slip on the website reveals more key features, such as a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3 seconds, seating for five, and unique charging capabilities compatible with both NACS and CCS stations. Additionally, the R2 will feature innovative storage solutions, including a spacious front trunk and a convenient bike mount system designed for ease and accessibility. It has a launch year pegged at 2026.
Rivian's strategy to leverage insights from its R1 program aims to produce a vehicle that balances performance, utility, and affordability. With dimensions that echo those of popular SUVs like the Honda CR-V and the Model Y, the R2 is expected to appeal to a broad audience seeking an EV that does not compromise on space or capabilities.
Competition is Good; Leaks Can be Too
It is certainly not the mythical Tesla Killer, Rivian simply lacks the production capacity of Tesla, however the introduction of the R2 is a welcome new addition to the company that started with the first electric pickup truck.
Rivian's experience with leaks now aligns it with Tesla, a company frequently in the spotlight for similar reasons. This initiation into the big leagues of leaks is a rite of passage in the EV industry, reflecting the high public and media interest in upcoming models. While leaks can sometimes spoil the surprise, they also underscore the anticipation and excitement surrounding new releases.
While Rivian executives may see this as a spoiled surprise, the early reveal has actually provided more coverage. It’s not like there won’t be any additional articles about the March 7 event. Given the social media chatter, the company now has an early preview about how the R2 will be accepted as it appears the majority of commentators view the product as a positive step forward for the company.
If you enjoy hearing about Rivian news and software features, be sure to check out our new site dedicated to Rivian.
A rendering of what the Tesla app may look like with the Tesla Diner added
Not a Tesla App
Tesla has been planning to create its own drive-in diner with Superchargers since at least 2022, when it filed paperwork for the one-of-kind supercharger location. In 2023, Tesla’s then Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, said during a presentation that you "can't forget to do cool s***."
The slide presentation showed off an illustration of a retro-looking Tesla Diner restaurant with a rooftop patio and an old-school drive-in movie screen behind it. People could be seen lining up to get inside, hinting that whatever the restaurant serves is worth the wait.
Since then, Tesla has begun and practically completed the construction of its Tesla Diner project. The location includes two 45-foot outdoor LED screens that will play short films, and it’ll also serve food up to 77 guests while their vehicle is being charged.
As the completion of the diner approaches, Tesla has now revealed several other bits of information in the latest Tesla app update. Thanks to a decompile by Tesla app iOS, we see that Tesla’s diner will closely tie in with the Tesla app itself.
Integrated With the Tesla App
Several phrases were found in Tesla’s latest app update, which includes things like show_diner, Diner Home Screen, profile_settings_diner_description, and View menu & amenities. It sounds like you’ll be able to view the diner’s menu directly from the Tesla app, but if we had to guess, there will be a lot more to it than that.
Following Tesla’s seamless integration with Superchargers, we expect the diner experience to be similar. You may soon be able to order food directly from the app and have it charged automatically to your card on file, letting you skip the payment portion completely.
Since Tesla knows which Supercharger stall you’re connected to, we also expect Tesla to take full advantage of this and bring the food directly to your vehicle without you needing to specify your location. So imagine this, you’ll pull up to a Supercharger and plug it in.
Tesla Diner UI
An image was also found in the app update that hints at where the Tesla Diner options will be located. The image found is the same ratio and similar size to other images found in the main menu of the Tesla app. In addition, the phrase “profile_settings_diner_description” could be the string used for the text that will show up in this menu. Since this menu is used to guide users to Tesla pillars such as products, charging, referrals and more, we expect the diner menu to only show up if you’re geographically near the Tesla diner.
What’s round and shiny but still not yet open? Tesla diner
Supercharger stalls, landscaping, and more are already in place at the Tesla Diner. The fact that Tesla is now including code related to the diner in the Tesla app indicates that Tesla may be ready to open up the diner to the public very soon.
For now, the location remains quiet, but it will soon become a 24-hour diner with a steady flow of traffic as Tesla owners visit to enjoy a unique charging and dining experience.
Tesla has been working to expand Cybertruck production, and with the Foundation Series ending only a few short months ago in the United States, it's time to begin looking at the next phase. And that is making the Cybertruck more affordable by offering a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) config.
The Cybertruck, as it stands, has quite the repertoire of features, from the relatively unique rear-wheel steering, the rigid power tonneau that slides away seamlessly, steer-by-wire, 48V low-voltage and 800V high-voltage architectures, and an air suspension. Of course, it's also the only Tesla with Powershare, enabling it to stand in as a home backup energy source. In addition, the 120V and 240V ports in the bed make it a fantastic truck for getting work done on the go.
Making the Truck More Affordable
In order to hit that more affordable target - something has got to give - and it won’t just be the motors and range. In the recent decompile of the Tesla app by Tesla App iOS, we saw some new flags that indicated which features Tesla may be looking to trim.
Manual Tonneau
The app hints at the removal of the automatic sliding tonneau cover, with the flag: hasAutomaticTonneau, meaning that not all trucks will be available with the feature. The Cybertruck’s vault cover can slide away neatly without taking up room on the bed like a traditional tonneau cover, making it even more useful.
If Tesla is looking to remove the powered tonneau cover from some truck configurations, the cheaper, RWD variant makes the most sense. That leaves some room for speculation - will the powered tonneau cover be an option, or would you need to upgrade to the AWD version to receive it? The cover provides a considerable range boost to the truck when it's closed, so we can only imagine that Tesla will keep a manual tonneau as a standard feature.
We expect Tesla to remove the pair of electric motors that drive the vault cover, as well as the electronics for the buttons. Perhaps they’ll add a strap or handle to the tonneau to make it easier to push and pull manually - but this just speculation for now.
AC Outlets
Another change caught in the decompile, it seems that the AC outlets in the RWD variant won’t be standard. It looks like they could be an optional upgrade, given the flag name: OPTIONAL_HAS_AC_OUTLETS_NOT_SET. It really seems like Tesla will remove one of the Cybertruck’s most useful features - and one of the things that makes it one of the best work trucks in the light-duty class - the 120V and 240V outlets.
We’re hoping that the outlets are, at the very least, optional on the RWD variant. They’ll serve a much-needed purpose for people who need to run tools or equipment off of their Cybertruck. If the outlets aren’t an option, it could impact the sales of the RWD Cybertruck - which many have been waiting for as a “work truck.”
Either way, we’re looking forward to finding out more details on the RWD Cybertruck, including an updated price, updated range specs, and an updated feature set. The RWD Cybertruck can become a fantastic electric work truck as long as Tesla keeps the key features that businesses and professionals are looking for.
![Tesla's Hidden 'Elon Mode' Unveiled: A Sneak Peek into the Future of FSD [Video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/news/2022/fsd-beta-inside_300w.jpg)
