Hey there! Looking into Rivian‘s new electric R1S SUV? I don‘t blame you – with its cool adventure-ready design and green vehicle technology, the R1S has created quite a buzz. And when it comes to picking out the right configuration for your needs among the various motor trims available, all those options can get confusing fast.
As an electric vehicle analyst who’s studied Rivian closely since their early days, let me walk you through what exactly sets apart the R1S Performance Dual Motor from the standard Dual Motor trim in terms that make sense. My goal is to give you an insider’s overview so you can feel confident choosing the best R1S setup to electrify your adventures!
Who is Rivian?
First, a quick intro if you’re not familiar with Rivian as a company: they’re an electric vehicle maker headquartered in California that focuses specifically on building premium trucks, SUVs and gear optimized for outdoor exploration rather than city commutes.
Founded in 2009 by CEO RJ Scaringe, Rivian has grown rapidly in recent years, now employing over 10,000 staff. While startups like Tesla racing to electrify consumer sedans, Rivian recognized early on there was immense opportunity to convert conventional gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs to sustainable battery-electric drivetrains without compromising rugged capabilities.
The company gained major backing from Ford and Amazon, raising over $10 billion to begin rolling out their visionary adventure vehicles. Which finally culminated recently in the first deliveries of the R1T pickup and R1S SUV you see making waves today!
Why the Excitement Over the R1S?
So what makes the R1S worth paying attention to compared to longstanding SUV brands? In essence, Rivian has aimed to create one of the most flexible, fun-to-drive electric SUVs ever – equally adept at cross-country road trips as tearing up off-road trails.
Just a few standout R1S features that set it apart:
- Electric range up to 400+ miles for guilt-free exploring
- 0-60 mph in as little as 3.0 seconds with blistering acceleration
- Quad-motor AWD option for advanced torque vectoring
- Wading depth of 3+ feet to traverse streams and rivers
- Integrated gear racks and camping accessories ready for adventure
And that’s only scratching the surface! Now that Rivian is delivering their first models to customers, early reviews have been glowing about the smart yet thrilling performance, luxurious interior comfort with seating for up to 7, and overall unique abilities of the R1S compared to any existing EV.
Breaking Down the R1S Dual Motor vs Performance Dual Motor Choice
The R1S launches with several motor configurations to suit different needs and budgets. I know all those trim names can mix you up when trying to decipher what you get with each. So let’s zoom in specifically on the two most popular picks:
- Dual Motor
- Performance Dual Motor
What’s the same?
Both R1S variants utilize Rivian’s Dual Motor AWD platform, with separate electric motors powering each axle (front and rear). That means superb off-road handling and traction thanks to smart torque distribution between wheels.
You also get the same 7-passenger seating, large center touchscreen, Alexa integration and abundance of storage no matter which R1S you pick. Plus flexible DC fast charging regains up to 140 miles in just 10 minutes.
Where do they differ?
While built on the same architecture, the Performance Dual Motor enjoys some very meaningful upgrades:
| Dual Motor | Performance Dual Motor | |
| Horsepower | 600 hp | 700 hp |
| Torque | 600 ft-lb | 700 ft-lb |
| 0-60 Acceleration | 4.5 sec | 3.5 sec |
| Max Range (mi) | 340 mi | 390 mi |
More power…
The Performance Dual Motor, as its name suggests, achieves superior speed and response thanks to 100 extra horsepower and 100 lb-ft torque over the standard model.
Quicker acceleration…
Harnessing that upgraded powerplant allows the Performance edition to sprint from 0-60 mph a full 1 second quicker than the base Dual Motor, for white-knuckle launches.
And extended driving distance!
Selecting the top-of-the-line Performance dual motor also provides exclusive access to Rivian’s largest available battery pack (Max Pack) for maximum driving range topping out around 390 miles between charges – perfect for reaching more remote destinations off the grid.
So in summary…
While costing only around $11K more than the base Dual Motor, the R1S Performance Dual Motor unlocks meaningfully quicker acceleration on top of Rivian’s already outrageous electric torque. Plus the longest driving distance for wandering farther off the map.
Keep reading to understand more about what sets these two exceptional SUVs apart!
Experience the Rush of Rivian Performance
One major benefit provided by upgrading to the Performance Dual Motor becomes apparent right from the driver’s seat: face-bending acceleration leaving just about any traditional SUV in the dust.
Let’s compare how these two ultra-capable configurations perform when you mash the accelerator:
| Spec | Dual Motor | Performance Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 600 hp | 700 hp |
| Torque | 600 ft-lb | 700 ft-lb |
| 0-60 mph | 4.5 sec | 3.5 sec |
Adding 100 horsepower and 100 lb-ft torque might not seem earth-shattering. But when combined with Rivian’s instant electric torque response allowing the Performance Dual Motor to drop 0-60 acceleration by a full second down to 3.5 seconds, you feel a rush of neck-snapping speed that drivers of high-end sports cars would envy!
Just imagine merged onto a highway and needing to make an urgent pass. Or suddenly needing to accelerate out of an off-road hazardspot. While the standard Dual Motor is still satisfyingly quick, the Performance model reacts with purposeful authority that provides crucial flexibility when navigating unpredictable situations.
All while emitting zero tailpipe pollution, thanks the magic of electric drive!
Balancing High Performance With Extended Range
But does selecting the highest-output Performance motors come with range tradeoffs, since powerhungry components can drain more battery? Fortunately, Rivian made sure to counterbalance the Performance model‘s incredible torque with technology ensuring you can roam even farther without recharging.
The key is that upgrading to the Performance Dual Motor also exclusively provides compatibility with Rivian‘s top-capacity Max Pack battery:
| Battery | Max Range | Available On |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 260 mi | Dual Motor |
| Large | 320 mi | Both trims |
| Max | 390 mi | Performance only |
So by packaging the larger Max Pack to deliver up to 390 miles driving distance per charge, the Performance Dual Motor actually outranges the standard model when equipped with similar batteries. Allowing you to venture deeper into the mountains, deserts or wherever inspiration takes you without range anxiety!
In daily terms, that means you could drive the Performance Dual Motor R1S from LA to Las Vegas and back on one charge (with miles leftover!), then use Rivian’s fast charging network to replenish 180 miles during your lunch break before heading out on afternoon trails. The convenience when road tripping or camping off-grid takes EVs to another level.
Traction and Control Reimagined Through All-Wheel Torque Vectoring
Now, I know simply having gobs of horsepower underfoot sounds tempting enough when choosing your Rivian SUV. But a huge part of this brand’s unique proposition beyond speed involves using electric quad-motor layouts that provide unparalleled traction and vehicle control via torque vectoring systems.
It may sound complex, but in practice torque vectoring allows for confident handling on slippery surfaces where normal SUVs would struggle. By leveraging ultra-precise coordination between individual motors powering each wheel, Rivian EVs can instantaneously route exactly the right thrust to wherever grip exists at any moment.
So how does torque vectoring come into play when comparing Dual Motor vs Performance Dual Motor models?
Both R1S variants achieve impressive torque vectoring…
Because whether you opt for standard or Performance editions, Rivian configures each one with a separate front and rear motor. Allowing sophisticated fine-tuning of torque split across the axles for surer footing in tough conditions.
So rest assured whether chasing sheep around Kiwi hill farms or crawling Utah slickrock trails, the bright minds at Rivian baked serious all-terrain competency into every SUV they build!
But the Performance Dual Motor takes things up a notch…
By upgrading the pure force available from those front/rear motors by 100 lb-ft each to 700 total torque, the Performance Dual Motor enjoys even greater latitude in how aggressively it can shift power to find traction.
Meaning you can challenge that R1S to dig into even deeper mud or ford rougher rivers while maintaining forward momentum where others would falter thanks to ultra-precise torque calculations happening in milliseconds throughout the chassis.
It’s 21st century computer magic tailor-made to give you confidence off-road!
R1S Interior Design: Created For Adventure
Beyond just performance specs, part of why the R1S makes such a compelling EV adventure-mobile involves smart interior design touches guiding the experience.
Rivian built this SUV from day one to encourage activity and exploration for all aboard. Natural materials like ash wood accent sustainable fittings, while separating climate zones cater to passengers’ individual comfort.
And the designers integrated some especially useful details for venturing off the beaten path:
- Gear tunnels running the vehicle length store camping equipment, hiking packs or dirty gear so it’s not sloshing around the cabin
- A flashlight built right into the driver’s door so you always have light at the ready when heading out nights under the stars
- Integrated crossbars available to instantly strap on cargo boxes, bike mounts or rooftop tents
- Camp speakers and wifi connectivity for soundtrack singalongs lakeside or powering devices out in the bush
And I’d be remiss not to mention the optional pull-out camp kitchen complete with its own sink, induction cooktop and water tank!
Exploring Your Rivian Option Packages
With Rivian’s online configurator allowing tons of build customization, you may feel overwhelmed parsing between the various packages offered on top of just motor selection with the R1S. Let’s quickly break down your main upgrade options:
Off-Road Upgrades
This adds underbody shields, reinforced bumpers, and steel skid plates shielding vulnerable bits from wayward rocks and errant stumps for blazing trails with confidence. A must-have if you’ll truly use the R1S capabilities weekly!
All-Terrain Tires & Wheels
For max traction on loose ground or in snow, the All-Terrain upgrades swap factory road tires for gnarlier rubber wrapped around 20” wheels, plus adds an onboard compressor to adjust tire pressure on the fly when transitioning driving conditions.
Rivian Adventure Gear
To fully embrace the outdoor lifestyle, this package outfits your SUV with clever gear enhancements like the bedslide camping kitchen for easy meal prep or roof-mounted awning for shade at the trailhead. Plus cab-spanning gear tunnels to safely transport mucky gear separate from passengers.
Large Pack & Max Pack Battery Upgrades
As outlined earlier, shelling out extra for Rivian’s Large battery boosts range to 340+ miles, while theMax Pack exclusive to Performance models extends driving distances between charging up to a mighty 400 miles!
Comparing Pricing: Dual Motor vs Performance Dual Motor Values
So with everything we’ve covered about capabilities and configuration options, what exactly does it cost to get into either of these exceptional electric SUV platforms?
Here‘s a pricing breakdown of base models:
| Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| R1S Dual Motor | $78,000 |
| R1S Performance Dual Motor | $89,000 |
As expected, the upgraded Performance Dual Motor commands around a $11,000 premium over the standard Dual Motor straight from Rivian’s configurator for the extra horsepower and torque capabilities discussed earlier.
Factor in potential add-ons like off-road protection packages or the MAX battery, and you‘re looking at an SUV with mid-six figure performance at perhaps half the cost of an equivalent luxury gas-powered SUV when considering lifetime fuel expenses. So while not cheap, the R1S delivers scintillating speed, range and adventurous talent representing a solid value compared to alternatives.
Finding the Right Rivian For You
So where does this leave you on deciding the best Rivian trim for your needs? Let’s recap five key takeaways:
The standard R1S Dual Motor…
- Delivers great electric range and abundant torque for casual off-roading
- Accelerates faster than most sports sedans to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds
- Starts around $78,000 providing the most affordable entry point
While the Performance Dual Motor upgrade…
- Unlocks 700 horsepower for adding 100 extra ponies over standard
- Lowers 0-60 mph sprints to a blistering 3.5 seconds
- Maximizes driving range by adding compatibility with the 400-mile Max Pack
- Enables enhanced torque vectoring authority for advanced off-road prowess
- Costs only around $11,000 more for meaningfully boosted abilities
So while both R1S variants shine as mind-bending electric SUVs mixing eco-friendly capabilities with authentic adventure talent…
The Performance Dual Motor takes that formula to another level.
Providing sports car acceleration and greater battery capacity for extending trips into the wilds, those extra investments pay back through adrenaline and unrestricted exploration.
I hope this guide has helped demystify Rivian’s offerings to set you up for success in finding your perfect battery-powered adventure partner! Feel free to drop any other questions in the comments below.
And may many epic, electric-powered journeys await – I‘m jealous already!
