Skip advert
Advertisement

New all-electric Rivian hatchback on the way

Rivian have already revealed a pick-up and an SUV, but a rally car-esque hatchback will be the third model in the range

Rivian R1S - charging

Start-up brand Rivian is set to follow up its pick-up and SUV models with an all-electric rally car-esque hatchback, the company’s founder has revealed to Auto Express. 

The California based manufacturer - which has 600 employees and is renovating an ex-Mitsubishi factory in Illinois to build its vehicles from 2020 - made a successful public debut in Los Angeles with its two pure-electric cars, which are designed to mix zero-emissions motoring with an ability to go off road.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Rivian R1S SUV launched in LA

The firm’s founder, Robert ‘RJ’ Scaringe, said that the company will stick to these core values for all subsequent models. “The products we’re working on all speak to the version of adventure where you have a combination of on and off-road capability, and a level of functionality that’s unique and different from other vehicles in its space.

“The third, fourth and fifth vehicles may have different form factors; the third vehicle is smaller in wheelbase than what you see here in LA, but think of it as Rivian’s interpretation of what you would see as a rally car. With a lot of ground clearance.”

Scaringe also admitted that Rivian’s business model includes the capacity for it to license technology or even build components for other brands, as long as the vehicles concerned are not in the same area of the market. “We’re actively talking to a number of OEMs and non-established car brands about that,” he said.

Click here to see more of Rivian's all-electric R1T pick-up...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025