Episode 807 – Rivian Wrangler?
Rivian CEO Teases Upcoming Smaller R2 EV and New R3 Platform
The CEO discusses Rivian’s future beyond the R1T and R1S during a podcast interview. (Could this be another Jeep Wrangler competitor?)
Rivian has a lot to be proud of. The upstart electric automaker beat Tesla and Ford to an electric truck with the award-winning Rivian R1T and secured a landmark deal with Amazon to build EV delivery vans. We are also pretty impressed with the Rivian R1S and considered it the best three-row EV money could buy at the time of our review. Despite all of this success, it looks like Rivian is not ready to rest on its laurels with an update on where the company is headed next.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe spoke with tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee on his “WVFRM” podcast. Brownlee referenced Tesla’s “Master Plan” of starting out with low-volume, high-priced vehicles subsidizing the production of more affordable high-volume vehicles. Brownlee asked Scaringe if Rivian is employing a similar strategy, how does the rest of their plan look? In other words, what vehicles are next for Rivian?
What could the R3 look like? Will the R3 be Rivian’s first sedan? Scaringe said that the R2 and R3 would “maintain the essence” of the Rivian brand which thus far has spoken directly to weekend warriors who see the great outdoors as their playground. There is a certain Japanese brand that speaks to the same audience but with more affordable vehicles. Could the R3 be a compact 4-door EV SUV meant to take on the Subaru Impreza? Or perhaps an all-electric Jeep Wrangler competitor?
It is a compelling possibility. Producing an AWD EV for under $30,000 with a decent battery range is a herculean task. However, if Rivian can pull it off, it may just slingshot itself to the head of the EV race. No solid timeline was established for when we can expect to learn or see more about the R2 and R3, but seemingly soon.
2024 Jeep Wrangler First Look: Trust Us, It’s Different
There are way more upgrades inside. The instrument panel is now hand-wrapped, and an integrated grab handle has been added on the passenger side. While the Wrangler keeps its round air vents on the outboard positions on the dashboard, Jeep swapped out the center vents for a single slim vent. Doing so freed up valuable real estate for the new Uconnect system with a much larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which is standard across the lineup. It is the largest screen to grace a Wrangler, and the full LED backlighting makes for crisper color graphics and better wards off glare. It also has a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster screen.
The new display runs Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 software, which was introduced in the Grand Wagoneer and then the Grand Cherokee before arriving now in the Wrangler.
Continued enhancements include better maps that are easier to read on a larger screen. Jeep has partnered with Trails OffRoad to preload maps of 62 Badge of Honor trails, but availability will come later in the model year. A subscription unlocks a catalog of more than 3,000 rated trails. In addition to waypoints, there is historical info and tidbits about the locations, and adventurers can store waypoints to make their own trails..
The new trims are Sport S 4xe at the affordable end of the 4xe spectrum and Rubicon X nearer the pricier extreme. The Sport S is in response to consumer demand for a cheaper Sport 4xe model, Morrison says. The Wrangler 4xe is already the bestselling PHEV in America, and this adds a more affordable entry for those who want 49 mpg-e and 21 miles of pure electric range with its two electric motors and 400-volt battery pack. About 25 percent of Wrangler sales are now 4xe. Jeep executives are still not saying when to expect a fully electric Wrangler, but the continued updates to the Jeep Magneto concept hint at what is to come.
Rubicon X is a fully loaded off-roader, with 35-inch tires, beadlock-capable wheels, steel bumpers, an integrated off-road camera to better see the vagaries of the trail ahead, and a full-time transfer case (it’s part-time on the regular Rubicon). It’s available with gas and 4xe powertrains.
For those keeping scores, these new trims join the current trim levels of Sport, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon, and Rubicon 392 models.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Tread Lightly – leaving trails better than you found them
Here at JTS we always promote Pack it in and Pack it out. Meaning that whatever you bring to the trail, you leave with it.
Don’t litter, and don’t destroy the trail (i.e. spinning tires, removing rocks, cutting down fences, etc.).
If you take lunch/sodas – pack all your trash in your jeep. Use a bag hanging off the spare tire if you want but keep it out of the forest/desert etc.
Don’t toss glass bottles (or any bottles)– STOP throwing glass everywhere
Stay on the trails– don’t drive off and make your own. Trails get closed down because of this and 4×4 groups are constantly fixing fences. STOP wasting other people’s time and resources (yes we repair stuff for free) because you are too stupid to stay on the trail.
Stay off of sensitive areas – Just don’t
Bathroom: Tony has a solution with a bucket (check out episode 795 – Easter Jeep Safari update) otherwise bury it deep or take a baggie (I have a video on our youtube channel giving you some suggestions).
Kids/Dogs; plan for their needs – don’t leave dog toys/bones or kids’ diapers on the trail.
Tread Lightly: Josh was a tread lightly trainer and a huge advocate of this program, A great organization you can get involved with and learn. Check out their website for more details about being a steward of the lands.
Let’s leave the trails better than you found them!
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Oracle Tail lights
While I was at Easter Jeep Safari and on Metal Masher I destroyed the passenger side tail light. If you didn’t already know this is something common to do, largely because of the design of the taillight. It sticks out to the side. It has been said this is so the collision, safe lane change sensor needed the additional room.
I made it back from EJS, some 20 hours, with this busted tail light, and a RED LED bulb. Once home I knew I needed to replace the tail light. I considered an OEM replacement, but that’s no fun. I believe it would have saved me $100 doing OEM but I opted for the Oracle wrap-around tail light. Oraclelights.com calls them “Flush Mount LED Tail Lights”. The full retail price is $399.95. I was able to get my set from Northridge4x4 using a special Jeep Talk Show discount code for $342, and orders over $70 are free shipping!
You can get this code by becoming a Patreon subscriber as one of the NEW perks!
Installation was very easy and since I already had a Tazer Mini setting the tail lights to LED on the Gladiator computer was easy.
You know it seems like everything I buy either gets upgraded, the price drops, or something. Well shortly after getting these tail lights Oracle comes out with a “Racetrack Flush Style LED tailgate panel light”
Now I believe the name of this addon answers my question, but what do you think about this addon? Is it a good off-road modification? I mean RACETRACK probably says it all.
Is there something Oracle has created and you are secretly wanting this addon for your Jeep? I’ll admit that some of their offerings seem more for Jeep Beach and the 10,000-watt stereo systems with 22” wheels and rubberband tires. I think they knocked it out of the park with the Flush Mount LED tail lights!
What’s your opinion?
Must-Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week for your Jeep!
ORACLE FLUSH MOUNT LED TAIL LIGHTS
Jeep JT Oracle Flush Mount LED Tail Light Features:
High-quality flush-mounted LED Tail Lights
Constructed from premium materials
Designed for a direct replacement
Black plastic housings
Polycarbonate lenses
Plug-and-play installation
2-Year Warranty
Sleek styling and flush fit to avoid damage to light
Factory blind spot sensor compatibility
With the discount code exclusive for our Patreon subscribers you can order your own Oracle Tail lights from Northridge4x4.com for only $323.96, and free shipping!
