Image: RivianThe first customer-specification units of the Rivian R2 have now rolled off the production line at the Normal plant. However, these units are still undergoing final quality controls and internal validation checks, according to Rivian.“We are on track to begin handing over keys to our first customers later this spring,” the company stated, without providing a more specific timeline.Rivian announced the prices and equipment variants of the new R2 in March. The fully equipped R2 Performance model, which includes the Launch Package and is expected to drive sales volumes, is available from $57,990. By the end of the year, a more basic R2 Premium model, also featuring all-wheel drive like the Performance version, will be offered from $53,990. The R2 Standard, with rear-wheel drive and prices starting at $48,490, is expected to follow in 2027, with a variant priced from around $45,000 anticipated later that year.Rivian first unveiled the R2 over two years ago, in March 2024. It has long been known that Rivian aimed to follow Tesla’s example by gradually expanding its range of high-margin premium models into the volume segment. Within the new R2 series, Rivian is adhering to this top-down principle, launching the expensive Performance model first before gradually introducing more affordable drivetrain variants and trim levels.The R2 is based on an entirely new mid-size platform and is designed to offer a more affordable price than the previous R1 models, without compromising on performance, as the company put it.“Since that day [the 2024 unveiling, Ed.], R2 has travelled a long road,” Rivian reflects. “We put R2 through its paces in some of the most demanding environments on the planet. From the biting cold of winter testing in the Alaskan tundra to the searing heat of the Arizona desert, our designers, developers and engineers have lived and breathed every millimetre of this vehicle, refining the UI, perfecting the final design and dynamics, ensuring that R2’s spirit stays true to its Rivian DNA.” Image: Rivian Image: Rivian Image: Rivian Image: Rivian“We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers,” said Rivian Founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe. “The vehicle is incredible — it’s the result of all the hard work and dedication of the Rivian team. I can’t wait for customers to experience R2!”“Building R2 represents a major advance in engineering excellence and manufacturing efficiency, driving meaningful improvements in cost and quality that position Rivian as a leader in the future of transportation,” said Rivian Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela. “We are grateful to every member of our team who has brought this vehicle to life, and we are thrilled to begin sharing it with the world.”rivian.com