Rivian has its sights set on a much bigger future. Although production and sales of the R1S SUV and R1T pickup have leveled off over the past two and a half years, the company is already deep into development of its next generation of vehicles.

The R2, a smaller and more affordable model, is set to enter production next year, followed by the R3, which should arrive around 2028 once Rivian’s new Georgia plant is fully operational. And according to the company’s leadership, this is only the beginning.

Future Lineup Taking Shape

Speaking on the Tosh Show podcast with Daniel Tosh, Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe confirmed that the lineup is expected to grow well beyond the R2 and R3. In fact, he suggested Rivian could eventually offer as many as six distinct models.

Read: ‘The Day I Flooded Rivian And Cost Them Half A Million’ Ex Worker Says

“We think we’ll probably end up with like, maybe, five or six different vehicles,” Scaringe explained. “So after R1, there’s R2 and R3. And after R2 and R3, there’s R4 and R5. And that’s as far out as our product plan goes today, and what we’re working on, but there may be like an R6. I can’t obviously talk about it here or show it to you… but the R4 and R5 are so cool, that’s the next, next thing after R2 and R3.”

Affordable Mass Market EVs

This isn’t the first time that Rivian has hinted at its expanded product plans. During last year’s investor day, Rivian previewed three potential “affordable mass market” vehicles to launch after the R2 and R3.

All of these vehicles were covered by sheets, hiding their designs, but if they do see the light of day, they’ll benefit from the same electrical architecture and software as other Rivian models, as well as future VW products.

Earlier this year, Scaringe noted that there are “very, very few highly compelling choices,” of EVs that cost less than $50,000, noting this is why Tesla has been able to gain such significant market share.

Rivian will no doubt hope that with more affordable models, it will be able to drastically ramp up deliveries and establish itself as a serious threat to not only Tesla but also legacy automakers, which are also investing heavily into EVs, including GM and Ford.

H/T to Motortrend

Update: The Palo Alto Police Department has received its first patrol-ready Rivian R1S for testing, following an announcement earlier this year. In an interview with KRON4, which had the opportunity to ride along in the specially equipped electric SUV, Assistant Chief James Reifschneider commented, “This car works perfectly with a lot of the other technologies we use here in Palo Alto that I think separate us from other agencies.”

Original story continues below.

Screenshot KRON4 / YouTube

The first-ever R1S police cruiser has officially made its debut in the United States, and it’s headed straight to Palo Alto, home to Rivian’s sprawling facility. The electric SUV was unveiled at a recent event at Rivian’s headquarters, where local Mayor Ed Lauing took a moment to shower the company with praise.

Interestingly, this charter city in the northwestern corner of Santa Clara County is also home to Tesla’s new global engineering HQ, which has been operating there since 2023. Yet, for some reason, Elon Musk’s brand didn’t quite make the cut.

Read: 2025 Rivian R1S And R1T Combine Tired Looks With New Tech And More Power

Unlike the louder, garish designs you might expect from a police cruiser, the R1S keeps it understated. Most of the exterior is decked out in gloss black, while the front doors get a clean white trim. The department’s badge makes a neat appearance on the sides, adding just enough flair to remind everyone this is a police vehicle—not a luxury SUV on a road trip.

The R1S Cruiser Still Needs a Few Tweaks

For now, the R1S doesn’t have the customary red and blue roof light bar—it just didn’t arrive in time for the event. There’s also talk of a push bar being added, as well as other custom equipment for the cabin. Rivian’s engineers are reportedly working closely with the city to get the SUV ready for active duty.

Palo Alto’s Captain James Reifschneider spoke to Palo Alto Online, noting that the R1S offers significantly more cabin space than the Ford Explorers and Jeep Durangos currently used by the department.

While giving his State of the City presentation, Palo Alto Major Ed Lauing praised Rivian and his plans for the area.

More: California Cops Speak Out Against Tesla Police Cars, Call Them Unfit For Duty

“The electric car was created years before Rivian first shipped their EV, but Rivian wanted to be the best EV in the future, not the first EV of the past,” he said. “That sounds a lot like Palo Alto to me because Palo Alto is a great place to live and work and shop and play and go to school and that isn’t enough. We’re always looking to be more innovative going forward and to make our place in Palo Alto even better.”

Other Police EVs

Palo Alto is far from the only city jumping on the EV police cruiser bandwagon. Several agencies in California have started adding electric vehicles to their fleets, but the transition hasn’t been without its challenges.

The South Pasadena Police Department has replaced its entire fleet with Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys, but some departments have complained about the lack of space offered by these two Tesla models. The Rivian R1S is much larger, but it’s also much more expensive, starting at $75,900 in base guise before any expensive upgrades are made.

There’s no word on whether police in Palo Alto plan to add more Rivian models to their fleet.

Opening image via Rivian Forums

In addition to developing a steer-by-wire system, Rivian also appears to be working on rear-wheel steering, two features that could significantly impact how its EVs handle. That said, there’s no clear timeline for when these updates might roll out, so current Rivian owners probably don’t need to consider trading in their vehicles just yet.

News about Rivian’s latest developments doesn’t come from a press release or a comment made by an executive, but rather from a job listing that the automaker recently posted. In the listing, it says it is looking for an engineer to join the Vehicle Hardware Engineering – Chassis – Product Development team.

Read: Rivian’s R2 Spotted With A Very Interesting Rear Window

Their work will include the product development of important chassis steering hardware components, “such as steer by wire, rear wheel steering, and advanced ADAS steering technologies.”

Given that the current R1S and R1T are both big vehicles with a keen focus on off-roading, it’s somewhat surprising they don’t already have a rear-wheel steering system. The Tesla Cybertruck debuted with rear-wheel steering a couple of years ago, helping its maneuverability on tight trails, as well as in carparks and on the road.

Following In The Footsteps of Tesla and Lexus

Adding steer-by-wire also seems like a logical development for Rivian to make, allowing i t to completely remove any physical link between the steering wheel and the wheels. Like Tesla and Lexus, it would need to add redundancies in case the system fails. Steer-by-wire would also allow Rivian to adjust the steering ratio depending on vehicle speed, something both Tesla and Lexus have done.  

As mentioned, there’s no word on when the systems could be ready, but if Rivian is only now starting work on them, they’ll likely still be a few years out. They could conceivably debut on the R1T and R1S, although they were only recently updated, meaning another significant update would be needed. The smaller R2 and R3 are also possible candidates for the new steering systems.

A new take on Rivian’s SUV is making its debut at Pebble Beach, marking the brand’s first custom one-off model. This special edition of the R1S pairs the company’s quad motor powertrain with a set of distinctive exterior and interior touches designed to stand out on one of the world’s most prestigious automotive stages.

The bodywork of the 2026 R1S Quad Pebble Beach is finished in a bespoke shade called Monterey Silver, which changes between silver and champagne depending on the angle and the lighting and is combined with subtle bronze accents.

More: The Next Rivian Could Steer In A Way You’ve Never Experienced

The EV rides on a custom set of forged 22-inch wheels with a three-tone finish, matching the shades of the exterior. Finally, it has Laguna Beach Blue brake calipers and special badges like the little mascot on the tailgate.

The interior is full of bespoke details that wouldn’t be possible in a series production vehicle. Door cards and seats are upholstered in Pebble Stone Adventex, a woven textile with a distinctive texture, complemented by cross stitching and wood inserts. Stainless steel trim surrounds the audio speakers, while the floor mats are hand sprayed and dyed to create a gradient reminiscent of a coastal sunset.

Rivian / Broad Arrow Auctions

The Pebble Beach special is based on the most powerful version of the R1S without any mechanical upgrades. This means it is powered by four electric motors generating a combined 1,025 hp (764 kW / 1,039 PS) and 1,198 lb-ft (1,624 Nm) of torque. The AWD model can still tow up to 7,700 pounds (3,492 kg), has a NACS-compatible charging port and an EPA-estimated range of 338 miles (544 km).

More: Lucid Prepares An SUV That’s Built For More Than The Highway

The 2026 R1S Quad Pebble Beach is set to cross the auction block today through Broad Arrow Auctions, with estimates exceeding $130,000. Considering the standard R1S Quad starts at $121,990, the premium reflects the exclusivity and craftsmanship of this single build. The SUV will also be on display at The Quail on Friday, August 15, before heading to its new owner.

The first one-off Rivian is not expected to be the last. The Pebble Beach special will likely be followed by other bespoke examples of Rivian models in the future, targeting buyers with deeper pockets and collectors.

A recent software update intended to improve Rivian’s navigation system has instead sparked frustration among some owners. Last month, the company rolled out an upgrade that brought Google Maps integration to its in-built navigation, including features like Google Places and real-time data on lane closures and accidents reported by the Google Maps community.

However, some Rivian owners have begun reporting that following the update, their GPS systems frequently freeze, leading to concerns that the rollout may have been a bit rushed by the carmaker.

Some Owners Affected, Others Not

Several Rivian owners have taken to Reddit to detail their experiences with the system. According to the original poster, their GPS has been freezing every other day after the Google Maps update. The only way to fix it is to perform a soft reset of the infotainment system, which can be done by holding down the far left and far right buttons on the steering wheel for roughly 15 seconds.

Read: Rivian’s Lawsuit Exposes The Car Industry’s Most Absurd Barrier

Multiple users have confirmed the same issue, reporting that a soft reset is the only way to get the navigation back on track. Interestingly, the glitch doesn’t appear to affect all Rivians. Owners of newer Gen2 R1S and R1T models say the updated system with Google integration works without problems. A few drivers of earlier Gen1 vehicles also reported no issues post-update.

In one case, an owner said the navigation tab on their infotainment display becomes unresponsive every two to three days and must be reset. Even when it does work, it keeps thinking their current location is at home, even if it’s not. Another R1S owner on the Reddit thread says they haven’t experienced any freezing issues, but the system’s search function no longer works.

Temporary Fixes While Rivian Investigates

In all likelihood, a software issue is to blame for the bug, and if Rivian is aware of the fault, it may already be developing a fix. Carscoops has reached out to the carmaker for a comment. In the meantime, owners dealing with the bug may have to continue resetting their systems every few days.

For years, Rivian has gone it alone with its infotainment system, refusing to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, much like Tesla. However, things are changing. Kind of. As of Tuesday this week, new Rivian models will come with a new and improved in-built navigation system using Google Maps technology.

Read: This CEO Just Called Out The Biggest Threat To EVs And It’s Not Trump

The update is not quite Android Auto, but it’s a step in the right direction. The news is not so good for iPhone users accustomed to using Apple Maps, however, and they’ll just have to get used to using Google.

Google Maps at the Core

Rivian says it has worked directly with Google to create a navigation system specifically designed to support its EVs. Thanks to Google, the new system includes real-time traffic and place information. It also supports reports made by the Google Maps community for updates like lane closures and accidents. Google Places has now also been incorporated, providing Rivian owners with information about roughly 250 million locations around the world, including details like opening hours, contact information, and reviews.

Importantly, the system retains all of Rivian’s in-built navigation features. These include the ‘range on arrival’ function that provides accurate range information depending on an owner’s driving style and whether they are using accessories, like a trailer. All Rivian models can also curate charging stops for the fastest-possible trip and will provide real-time data for compatible charging networks, including Tesla Superchargers and the Rivian Adventure Network.

Updates Beyond the Dashboard

All updates made to the infotainment systems of the R1T and R1S will be incorporated into the Rivian mobile app, making it easier for owners to manage navigation and settings remotely.

This isn’t the first time Rivian has rolled out a new Google feature to its vehicles. Late last year, it announced that it would add Google Cast. It’s unlikely that any kind of Apple CarPlay support will be added in the future, even though Rivian’s system does include Apple Music. By keeping its infotainment software in-house, Rivian says is able to better tailor the experience to suit its customers.

Electric vehicles may be at the center of the automotive industry’s future, but the road to widespread adoption remains anything but smooth. Most legacy automakers say that they are huge fans of electric vehicles and want nothing more than for them to dominate the auto industry and to be in every motorist’s garage.

However, according to Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, the biggest resistance to electrification isn’t coming from political opposition, but from the industry’s very own heavyweights.

Read: Rivian’s New R1 Quad Has 1025 HP And Tesla Charging

Since returning to the White House for a second term, President Donald Trump has made EVs a frequent target. Even before getting elected, Trump promised to scrap the ‘EV mandate’, even though no such mandate technically existed. He followed through with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eliminated both new and used EV tax credits.

Perhaps surprisingly, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe doesn’t appear overly concerned with recent policy changes. Speaking with Business Insider, he downplayed the impact of political shifts. “Policy changes, in the end, don’t change anything,” he said.

His view is that recent shifts may even benefit Rivian and its competitors in the EV-first space “I think that the move away from some of the tailwinds that were previously in place for electric vehicles is actually good for Rivian, it’s good for Tesla, it’s bad for the US auto industry, and it’s bad for my kids,” Scaringe added.

Since neither the R1S nor the R1T qualified for the $7,500 credit to begin with, Rivian isn’t directly affected by the change. Scaringe’s focus lies elsewhere, as he is much more concerned with legacy carmakers.

The Fight Against OEMs

“We’re basically on an island fighting all the other OEMs,” he told BI. “They would never say this publicly, because publicly they’re pro-EVs — but the biggest adversaries against electrification are big OEMs. So we fight that hard. It’s so frustrating to see companies talk out of both sides of their mouth when they say they’re pro-electrification, but they’re just gloves off on the policy side. So anti-EV.”

It’s easy to understand where Rivian’s boss is coming from. Executives from many US carmakers frequently change their positions depending on which political party is in power and which policies will impact them in the short term.

Earlier this year, GM pushed tenaciously to stop California from having the ability to set its own emissions standards. Soon after, they got what they wished for, as Senate Republicans voted to strip the state of its authority to determine its own vehicle emissions rules.

Rivian introduced the second-generation R1S and R1T last summer and now the company has unveiled the new quad-motor variants. They’re high-performance EVs that start at $115,990 for the truck and $121,990 for the SUV.

Designed to be more powerful and capable than ever before, the models are equipped with four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,025 hp (764 kW / 1,039 PS) and 1,198 lb-ft (1,622 Nm) of torque. This enables the R1T to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds, while the R1S can accomplish the same task a tenth of a second later.

More: 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future

Rivian was coy on full details, but claimed both variants have an EPA-estimated range of up to 374 miles (602 km). That increases to 400 miles (644 km) in Conserve mode, which disengages the rear drive unit. However, Rivian’s configurator lists less impressive ranges of 338 and 360 miles (544 and 579 km) for the Launch Editions.

Putting that aside, Rivian said the vehicles are equipped with their newest drive units. Each features two electric motors that were designed and manufactured in-house. The company added the “rear drive unit has a larger gear ratio and is built for maximum performance and torque delivery, while the front drive unit is optimized for maximizing efficiency at cruising speeds.”

Rivian went on to say the new motors are oil-cooled, which helps to significantly improve their thermal performance during “high-torque, low-speed driving such as rock crawling.” They also help to improve efficiency during high-speed driving on highways.

Familiar Looks With A Handful Of Special Touches

Besides the new powertrains, there isn’t much to report as first- and second-generation R1s look virtually identical. That being said, the Quad variants feature an Ascend interior with quilted seats, extended stitching, and fancier door panels. They’re joined by plaid accents, bronze flourishes, and new fabric on the front seat backs. Other highlights include Brown Ash, Walnut, or Driftwood trim.

Moving outside, there are new 20- and 22-inch wheels that are backed up by Laguna Beach Blue brake calipers. Customers can also get Dark or Dune Satin Graphite wheels wrapped in 34-inch all-terrain tires.

Other highlights include a glass roof and a standard Darkout Package. They’re joined by an air compressor and underbody protection. More notably, there’s a rear-mounted Gear Guard mascot with “wind-swept hair” that hints at the vehicle’s performance.

Rivian is throwing in a number of high-tech toys including a Launch Mode with a Launch Cam. As the name implies, it records your Launch Mode adventures and then displays real-time stats when showing replays in the Videos app.

Quad-Specific Features Including A Kick Turn Function

More interestingly, Rivian announced a RAD Tuner is coming in September. It promises to give drivers “better control over their vehicle’s dynamic behavior” as there will be “intuitive sliders” that can be used to create personalized and savable driving modes. These can be built from scratch or based on presets such as Sport or Rally mode.

A Kick Turn function is also coming this fall and it promises to make tight off-road turns easier. As the company explained, “When you engage Kick Turn, your R1 Quad smartly adjusts the power to the inside wheels, slowing them down or even reversing them. This precise control over wheel slip ensures your vehicle turns exactly as quickly and smoothly as you intend.”

A more useful addition is a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which will come standard on every 2026 R1. It provides easy access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, although Quad-Motor variants will also come with a complimentary CCS adapter.

Launch Edition Arrives First

To celebrate the introduction of the new Quad, Rivian has announced a Launch Edition. It offers an exclusive Launch Green exterior and special badging on the dashboard. Buyers will also find added equipment including a Camp Speaker, a Gen 2 key fob, and lifetime access to Connect+ as well as the Rivian Autonomy Platform+.

The Launch Editions are unsurprisingly more expensive as pricing starts at $119,990 for the R1T and $125,990 for the R1S. The special edition will also be offered in Canada for $196,990 CAD and $207,990 CAD.

Deliveries of the R1 Quad will begin later this month and the initial focus is on Launch Editions. Rivian’s website shows customers can expect them to be available in two to three weeks.

The Rivian R1S and R1T are both great EVs, but it appears the carmaker is starting to learn that there are only so many people willing to spend over $70,000 for one. Recently released sales data show that Rivian’s deliveries of new vehicles declined significantly in the second quarter of the year, and signal that the company needs the smaller R2 and R3 to enter production.

Rivian has stated that during the April-June period, it produced 5,979 vehicles at its plant in Normal, Illinois, and subsequently delivered 10,661 cars. This represents a 22.7 percent decline from the same quarter in 2024. The 5,979 EVs built by Rivian this quarter were also significantly less than the previous year’s 9,612.

Read: Rivian Recalls Thousands Of Cars For A BMW Feature No One Asked For

It must be noted, though, that the company itself cut down production as it prepared its factory to start building the 2026MY R1T and R1S.

Goodbye Tax Credits

Things could get harder for Rivian before they get better. The federal EV tax credit of $7,500 will officially end on September 30, effectively increasing pumping up prices for all eligible EVs by that amount. While Rivian’s had not been eligible for this credit, customers didn’t buy one outright but leased it could benefit from the full $7,500. With the new legislation going into effect, this credit loophole is being closed. In any case, the American EV maker expects to deliver between 40,000 and 46,000 vehicles by the end of 2025.

If there’s a small bit of good news for the brand it’s that on June 30 it received a $1 billion equity investment from the Volkswagen Group. That’s part of their $5.8 billion agreement to collaborate on a joint technology venture and to roll out Rivian systems across the VW range.

The company will hope to grow production and deliveries in 2026. The smaller R2 series is scheduled to hit the production line next year and promises to bring the company’s models within reach of many more shoppers.

The owners of 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S models in the US may start being confused with BMW drivers after it was revealed that some of the brand’s EVs may have faulty turn signals. This problem has forced the automaker to issue a recall in the United States for almost 28,000 vehicles.

According to Rivian, the issue lies in one or both of the front turn signals failing to light up or flash as they should, which, unsurprisingly, isn’t exactly up to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The culprit? Turn signals sourced from Myotek in Farmington Hills, Michigan, which may have been improperly manufactured.

Read: VW’s Future EVs Might Run On A Platform It Didn’t Even Build

It’s unclear what may have been done wrong during the manufacturing of the turn signals, but they could suffer some kind of “internal failure.” If one or both of the turn signals stop working, a message will be displayed on the instrument cluster. The remaining turn signals will also start blinking twice as fast as they should, and the turn signal sound will accelerate.

A total of 27,882 vehicles are involved in the recall. These consist of R1S models manufactured between April 29, 2024, and May 13, 2025, as well as R1Ts that were built from July 10, 2024, to May 13, 2025. Rivian says it stopped using the suspect front turn signals on May 13.

An investigation into the problem was initiated in February before Rivian decided a recall was necessary at the start of June. It isn’t aware of any accident or injuries caused by the fault, but it could prove to be a nuisance for both owners and other motorists.

Owners will be notified of the recall starting July 25, and dealerships will inspect the affected vehicles, replacing the turn signals if needed.

It’s the sort of issue that’s unlikely to cause major headaches, but one that’s definitely irritating enough to warrant a fix. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into a flash of trouble.