the electric pickup that attacks Tesla

While we are still waiting to discover the Tesla Truck that Elon Musk evoked very succinctly, a newcomer is already trampling his flowerbeds with a model of electric pickup, it must be admitted, quite attractive. It is Rivian, a Californian fledgling hitherto unknown to the battalion, but which has existed since 2009. Having first worked on a Tesla Roadster-type electric coupe, it completely reoriented its project in 2011 towards two much more promising segments: pickups and SUVs. She has just taken advantage of the Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil her R1T pickup and a SUV, 7 seats, christened Rivian R1S like Range Rover.

Positioned on a high-end niche with a base price of 69,000 dollars (about 60,900 euros at the current price), the R1T targets the fortunate adventurers who want a utility at once robust, aesthetically as pleasant as a sedan, eco and techno . We can already say that in general, the R1T is quite successful with its minimalist lines that manage to erase the heavy side pickups without the denue of its imposing style.

At the level of its overall size, the US press compares the Rivian R1T to the new Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. With 3.4 meters of wheelbase for 5.7 meters long and 1.80 meters high, it is a "beautiful piece". Its payload is 800 kilos and its towing capacity of 5 tons. On the scale, the R1T is close to 2.7 tons. The front trunk offers 330 liters of storage space. Rivian has devised a clever "tunnel" with a capacity of 350 liters, located between the cab and the rear deck, which extends over the entire width of the vehicle. You can slip skis, golf bags, fishing rods or even wood.

The Rivian R1T can tow 5 tons

The propulsion will be provided by four driving wheels each equipped with an electric motor. The R1T will be available in three versions: the most enduring will have a battery of 180 kWh for 640 km of autonomy announced; for the intermediate model, a battery of 135 kWh for 480 km of autonomy; as for the entry-level model, it will have a battery of 105 kWh for a range of 230 km. The three versions will be able to reach 200 km / h in top speed. According to Rivian, the R1T 135 kWh will be the fastest thanks to its power equivalent to 750 horses that will allow it to reach 0 to 100 km / h in 3 seconds.

Inside, the manufacturer was clearly inspired by the high-tech minimalism of You're here, with a sleek dashboard in the center of which sits a large touch screen 15.6 inches. The meters and instrumentation behind the steering wheel make room for a 12.3-inch screen while the rear passengers will have at their disposal a touch screen of 6.8 inches. The R1T will be equipped with all the necessary equipment for autonomous driving level 3 (radar, lidar, cameras).

Rivian has three electrical outlets in the tailgate to charge appliances or power tools; Note that the Tesla Truck will be equipped with electrical outlets to power tools in 240 V. There is also a compressor to inflate bicycle tires or dusting equipment. The straps for securing the load are connected to sensors, so that the owner will receive an alert if someone tries to detach them. A camera pointing to the board will also be accessible from a distance.

It remains to be seen now if Rivian will manage to reach the stage of production that has been fatal to many companies that have attempted the adventure of the electric car. But the young company has several assets: a financing of about $ 500 million from part of the US subsidiary Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, and the Saudi conglomerate, Abdul Latif Jameel; a successful concept, fruit of a long-term work which, according to the company, is already adapted to an industrial model; a production plant in Normal, Illinois (formerly Mitsubishi); last but not least, all the components are already supplied. R1T is expected to be marketed in the US in 2020 and Rivian says it wants to move quickly to Europe and China.