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Last year, a new American automaker called Rivian launched the first electric truck, the exciting Rivian R1T. It’s an adventure vehicle with a unique design, lots of power, and a lot to love.
At first glance, the R1T looks like a typical midsize truck, if not a bit larger, but once you dig inside, you’ll find all sorts of cool additions or features hiding in plain sight. This vehicle can go up to 314 miles on a single charge, go from 0 to 60 mph in about three seconds, but can tow more than 11,000 lbs.
The Rivian R1T features a variable-height suspension system that adjusts on the fly to improve ground clearance off-road or improve range efficiency on the highway. As you can see, it does a bit of everything, but that’s not all.
If you just bought the Rivian R1T, are considering buying one instead of the F-150 Lightning, or don’t want to wait for the Cybertruck, here are some of the main features of the Rivian R1T.
The gear tunnel
There aren’t as many parts or transmissions everywhere with an electric vehicle, which allows the company to come up with some nifty storage options. Perhaps my favorite feature of the Rivian R1T is what the company calls the gear tunnel.
Behind the rear passenger doors is a storage tunnel accessible from both sides of the truck. You can even access it from inside the cabin. This has a carpet-lined interior to keep things secure, leash points, and you’ll find a 110-volt and 12-volt outlet to charge your gear.
The company says this tunnel can hold over 200 pounds of stuff and even plans to sell an epic camp kitchen designed specifically for the gear tunnel. This storage space is so big that you can find YouTube videos of adults climbing on it.
Storage options are everywhere in and out of this truck. We’re talking about the front trunk (aka Frunk), the center console, a fold-down storage tray in front of the driver’s seat, cargo storage under and behind the rear seats, the gear tunnel, and even storage in the bed. .
While many electric vehicles don’t come with a spare tire, the Rivian R1T does. It’s also not under the truck, which means you won’t have to get dirty to handle a flat tire. Instead, it’s located in a storage compartment inside the bed of the truck. And if you think you won’t need the part, it’s easy to remove, allowing homeowners to use that space as yet another storage area.
built-in flashlight
When it comes to competing with established automakers and electric vehicle brands like Tesla, it’s always good to add a few extra perks. Plus, Rivian calls this an “adventure vehicle,” so it makes sense that the company has included some cool accessories that all truck owners and outdoor enthusiasts will love.
For starters, there’s a durable aluminum headlight built into the driver’s side door. Yes, it’s always charged thanks to wireless charging and uses one of the 7,700+ battery cells inside the vehicle. Similar to luxury car sunshades, the Rivian comes with something far more useful, a 1,000-lumen flashlight.
Camping Bluetooth Speaker and Flashlight
Rivian didn’t stop with a flashlight either. Each truck also comes with a removable Bluetooth speaker and camping lantern located inside the truck under the center console.
Thanks to wireless charging in the cubicle, it’s always charged and ready to go. When you’re sitting around a campfire, on the beach, or want to listen to some tunes while working in the garage, pull it out and crank out the beats. The bottom edge has several “soft glow” LEDs that give off a warm campfire glow. It’s the perfect camp light accessory and lasts for over six hours per charge.
tank spin
While Rivian has been talking about this feature since 2018, many people may not realize it’s a real thing. Like the new Hummer EV that offers crab-walk mode, the Rivian R1T has 4-way active steering, which means the front wheels can turn left while the rear wheels point right. As a result, you can do a full 180 or 360 turn while standing still.
Imagine going off the road but getting stuck on an obstacle you can’t get past, but there’s no room to turn around easily. Simply enable tank flip, turn the wheels, and turn the car in place until it’s facing the other direction. The video above should show you everything you need to know.
Sounds like one of those novelty features just to get attention, but as an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast, this is one of those features I wish my Toyota Tacoma had. It will get you out of a sticky situation, that’s for sure.
Front light bar is also a charge indicator
While the front of the Rivian R1T is probably the most controversial part of the design, it does have some great aspects. For example, the large light bar between the main headlights functions as a visual charge indicator while the vehicle is charging the batteries.
Instead of having to pull out your smartphone and open the app to see how charged the battery is, just look at the front light. It starts out red, has a charging animation, and once the battery is full enough it will turn green, letting you know the truck is ready to roll.
Built-in air compressor
No one likes dealing with a flat or flat tire, especially while sitting at a campsite or in the wilderness. Fortunately, Rivian thought of that as well. The R1T uses air suspension to raise and lower the truck, and in a smart move Rivian will also allow owners to access that tank and use it as an air compressor.
On the bed of the truck, where there are some lights and power outlets, you’ll also find a fitting for the included air hose. Simply plug it in and add air to a flat tire, or remove debris from the truck bed. Also, many off-road vehicles inflate the tires for a smoother ride and improved traction, so you can re-inflate the air after you reach your destination or when you’re ready to head home. We like that you can also set your desired tire PSI, and it will stop automatically.
Keychain with carabiner
It’s a minor feature, but it’s still a feature. These days, most cars come with a touch start button, so all you’ll get is a key fob to unlock the doors and such. Instead of the typical boring keyring, the Rivian R1T keyring is a durable aluminum carabiner. You can clip it to a belt or water bottle, or clip it to your travel bag, making sure it’s always secure.
A carabiner is also easier to quickly remove from a keychain and give to someone, rather than a typical nail-destroying keychain. Plus, Rivian says the keychain is also waterproof, so it’ll handle your outdoor adventures just as well as the truck. And if you don’t want to lug around your key, you can always use your phone to unlock the car.
Gear Guard Cable and Camera System
And lastly, Rivian has another neat trick up her sleeve, and this is something everyone can appreciate. Nobody likes thieves, which is why every Rivian R1T truck comes with a unique “Gear Guard” security system.
With the R1T, Rivian provides owners with a braided steel cable to secure items in the truck bed or on the roof. This cord wraps around your valuables and connects to a lockout point near the air compressor fitting. Once you lock the truck, the cable locks into place.
Once you drive away, five of the 11 vehicle cameras keep an eye on your truck and the goods in the back. If someone messes with the cable, it will start recording, alert you through the app, and even pop up a little animated character on the infotainment screen, letting thieves know they’re being recorded.
Basically, the truck comes with a bike (or gear) lock system included to give you peace of mind when you’re out and about.
These are just a few of the many great and creative features of the first proper electric truck available in the United States. By now, you probably want one. However, the company has more than 80,000 reservations to fill, so inventory is likely to remain tight for the next 12 to 18 months. Good luck finding one.
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