Image: RivianAn R1S that took a hard left into the Ghostbusters universe is now on display in six cities. Rivian, working with Sony Pictures, converted one into the Ecto-R1, a full-scale recreation of the franchise's iconic Ecto-1, complete with restored vintage emergency equipment on the roof. The practical news for owners: every R1 and R2 gets a software-delivered slice of that world from October 9 through November 2, 2026.The Physical BuildA show car that earns its roof rack.The Ecto-R1 starts with 22-inch Aero wheels fitted with white covers, a red body graphic, and No-Ghost logos on the hood and front doors. Its defining feature is the roof rack, which carries sirens, spotlights, a radar dish, and side tanks that pull the vehicle's silhouette straight out of the films.Rivian sourced and restored actual vintage emergency lights rather than building modern replicas, according to reporting from The Drive. A hidden compass, visible from a top-down view, is embedded in the vehicle as a detail for fans willing to look for it.Multiple Ecto-R1 display vehicles are scheduled to appear at Rivian spaces in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco, and New York City's Meatpacking District. The New York location is also expected to carry limited-edition merchandise tied to the collaboration. Fans of legendary cars from pop culture will immediately recognize the Ecto-1's outsized cultural footprint.Image: RivianWhat Owners Actually GetThe over-the-air update is where the experience lives for most people.To access the Halloween features, R1 owners need software version 2026.36.0, while R2 owners require version 2026.36.40. Both also need an updated Rivian mobile app.A dedicated Ghostbusters in-vehicle app coordinates themed audio, interior lighting, exterior lighting, and display visuals. Key effects remain active while driving; the full experience requires Park.Trick or Treat Mode takes over both the driver and rear displays, plays the Ghostbusters theme, and synchronizes exterior lights and sound effects. Rivian says many of the same features can be controlled through the smartphone app.Six themed light-and-sound selections cover different corners of the franchise: Ecto-1, Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, Peter Venkman, and Random. Each delivers its own exterior LED sequence and soundscape.Lock sounds vary by generation. Gen 1 R1 owners get the Ecto-1 tone, while Gen 2 R1 and R2 owners can choose among Ecto-1, Proton Pack, and Chant.When parked, the Mallow Mash arcade game lets occupants pop Mini-Puft characters on the center display. A scavenger hunt hides Ghostbusters characters across Drive Modes, Gear Guard, the side cameras, and the Energy app.Image: RivianBefore November 2The deadline matters more than the details.Halloween Mode is scheduled to end on November 2, 2026, so the window is shorter than it looks. Six cities have Ecto-R1 display vehicles on the way, with New York's Meatpacking District location adding merchandise for anyone who wants something tangible to take home.Check your software version before the holiday arrives. Without the required update, the Halloween features will not be available. In other automotive tech news, a driverless Tesla robotaxi recently made headlines after crashing through traffic barriers.