Any news from fully charged live in Austin

[Drhnbtx]

I attended the Austin show this weekend and spoke to several Rivian employees. My first time seeing the R1T/R1S in person
My impression:
They felt larger than I expected.
Images don't do them justice.
Some new info to me:
The center console may have options for a powered cooler\bluetooth speaker\or standard storage (this is a drawer portion in the front part of the console)
Optional audio 16 speaker system with meridian mentioned as potential provider.
Configurator and merch available at end of summer.
Chilewhich floor mats to be an option.

 

[Txdoc72]

One observation which I was somewhat bothered by - I wish the the area under the back seats was completely flat. It appears there is a “wall” under the seats. While that may help to contain items stored under the seats it prevents a flat flat floor once the seats are folded up. I would prefer something more akin to what is in the Honda Ridgeline. By having a flat floor it would provide more space to throw a dog bed back there to keep the K9s comfy. Small beef. Otherwise, I was blown away!

Separate note...front seats will be heated and cooled. Rear seats heated.

 

[Admin]

Some photos from the event. Pictures courtesy of Christine over on our Rivian Owners Facebook Group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/516264912233785/).

Some comments she made:

Per Rivian staff at the Fully Charged event in Austin this weekend:
• The buttons on the back of the R1T may look different but will control the integrated tonneau cover (louvered like a garage door) and will drop the tailgate past 90 to allow users to get closer to the truck bed for the purpose of loading.
• The rear window in both the R1S and R1T will be fixed in place.
• The pass through in the R1T has illumination inside as well as glow-in-the-dark release straps to prevent kids from getting trapped (for example)
• Configurator will launch late summer/ early fall for both...even though R1T will be produced first (R1S is thought to follow at least three months later)
• They say they have battery manufacturing secured but cannot share supplier for confidentiality
• Test drives have not been permitted because the vehicles have not passed safety standards and are therefore a liability issue
• Manufacturing order will not follow first-in principle for efficiencies sake. Rather they will likely produce vehicles in lots based on feature selection once the configurator is out.
• Rivian will start working on opening sales centers in areas with high density pre-orders to facilitate test drives. Those of us not near centers may have access to pop up events. They are still working out details.
• The signature grill and headlights will go into production as is with only the most minor mods.
• Second row in R1T has storage space under the seat. With the long range package, this will get filled with the additional batteries.