Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe Gave CNBC An Early Peek Of The R2

All-electric vehicle maker Rivian is dealing with a lot: the end of federal support for EVs, a surge in hybrid vehicle sales and a rate of cash burn that still alarms investors, among other things. The company also has relatively low production and delivery numbers , but Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told CNBC in a December interview that's not the full story.

⁘The R1 is the best-selling premium electric SUV in the United States,⁘ he said, adding that it has been a top-selling premium SUV of any kind in the state of California.  But the R1S carries a nearly $80,000 starting price. Rivian's hope is that the upcoming, less expensive R2 model can repeat that same success in the far larger midsize, mid-price SUV EV market.

The R2 looks like a smaller R1S. Someone sitting inside will notice Rivian's familiar style and design language throughout the interior. It has Rivian's recognizable headlights. And it's much the same shape, with a long, flat roof that lets a 6-foot-1-inch person sit in the rear seat without slouching.   ⁘It's a smaller vehicle,⁘ Scaringe said.

⁘But I think this is the best vehicle we've developed to date. We're incredibly bullish on this and excited for it. Of course it's cheaper, but it doesn't mean it's not an aspirational product, something that you're really going to enjoy and love to be in.⁘ ⁘Watch this,⁘ Scaringe said as we were driving on the freeway.

He kicked the accelerator and the R2 shot forward. EVs are known for fast acceleration, but this might stand out for its class. We didn't drive off road, but Scaringe said the R2 is trail-worthy, though customers shouldn't expect the more than 1,000-horsepower, go-anywhere capability of the $120,000 R1 Quad. Looking to read more like this: See here

Deciphering the Soul of Specifications

The Ghost in the Machine: Deciphering the Soul of Specifications

I mistook the glossy ink of a brochure for the living pulse of a piston. It was a failure of imagination to believe that a list of numbers could ever encapsulate the shivering anticipation of a cold start on a November morning.

To understand a vehicle is to read a biography written in alloy and electricity. We often look at the curb weight and see only gravity, ignoring the way the metal yearns to defy it. Specifications are the skeletal remains of an engineer's dream, and learning to interpret them is an act of mechanical empathy.

• Displacement: The internal volume of the lungs, where the fire breathes.
• Torque: The immediate, muscular grunt that pins your spine against the seat.
• Wheelbase: The span of the machine's stance upon our fragile, paved earth.
• Aerodynamic Drag: The invisible friction of the world trying to hold you back.

How to Decode the Mechanical Script

Begin with the displacement. It is the hollow space within the engine blocks where the alchemy of combustion occurs, a measurement of potential energy that speaks of power not yet unleashed. You must look past the liters and see the oxygen waiting to be consumed. Larger numbers suggest a gluttony for fuel, yet they offer a steady, rhythmic reliability that smaller, frantic engines often lack in their desperate search for speed.

Power is a ghost. We call it horsepower, a lingering tribute to the beasts we abandoned for the sake of internal combustion, yet it only tells half the story of how a car feels when the light turns green. It is a measurement of work over time, a cold calculation that ignores the visceral thrill of the machine's ascent.

The Paradox of the Torque Curve

Torque is the truth. It is the rotational force, the raw twisting strength that determines how the vehicle leaps from a standstill. Look for the peak torque at low revolutions per minute. This indicates a machine that is ready to serve, a mechanical companion that does not require a frantic downshift to prove its loyalty to your right foot. High torque at low RPMs provides a sense of effortless grace, as if the car itself is eager to carry the burden of your journey.

Confusingly, many manufacturers now speak of "Newton-meters" alongside "Pound-feet," a linguistic schism that leaves many drivers adrift in a sea of unit conversions. Furthermore, the rise of electric propulsion introduces the concept of instantaneous torque—a sudden, silent surge that bypasses the traditional buildup of heat and noise. This transition from the mechanical to the digital can feel like a loss of character, yet it represents a cleaner, more optimistic communion with the laws of physics.

Evaluating the Burden of Mass

Weight is the silent thief of performance. A high curb weight suggests luxury and insulation from the harshness of the road, but it also demands more of the tires and the brakes, turning every corner into a negotiation with momentum. We must empathize with the suspension, those coiled steel springs that labor tirelessly to keep our fragile bodies level while the earth beneath us undulates and cracks. A lighter vehicle is a conversation; a heavier one is a lecture.

The wheelbase determines the rhythm of the ride. A long distance between the front and rear wheels provides a majestic stability, turning the jagged imperfections of the highway into a distant, muffled memory. Conversely, a short wheelbase offers a nervous, twitchy energy that excels in the tight, urban labyrinths where agility is the only currency that matters. Choose the length that matches the cadence of your own restless thoughts.

Share your thoughts with us.

What specific measurement has most accurately predicted the way a car feels beneath your hands, or have you found that the most important qualities of a machine are the ones that refuse to be quantified? We invite you to join the conversation and tell us which specifications matter most to your sense of freedom on the open road.

2026 Lucid Air Touring Review: This Feels Like A Complete Car Now

When we met the brand and its prototype Lucid Air sedan in 2017 , the company planned to put the first cars in customers' hands within a couple of years. But you know what they say about plans. A lack of funding paused everything until late 2018, when Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund bought itself a stake . A billion dollars meant Lucid could build a factory—at the cost of alienating some former fans because of the source.

Then the pandemic happened, further pushing back timelines as supply shortages took hold. But the Air did go on sale, and it has more recently been joined by the Gravity SUV . There's even a much more affordable midsize SUV in the works called the Earth. Sales more than doubled in 2025, and after spending a week with a model year 2026 Lucid Air Touring, I can understand why.

There are now quite a few different versions of the Air to choose from. For just under a quarter of a million dollars , there's the outrageously powerful Air Sapphire, which offers acceleration so rapid it's unlikely your internal organs will ever truly get used to the experience. At the other end of the spectrum is the $70,900 Air Pure, a single-motor model that's currently the brand's entry point but which also stands as a darn good EV . The last time I tested a Lucid, it was the Air Grand Touring almost three years ago.

That car mostly impressed me but still felt a little unfinished, especially at $138,000. This time, I looked at the Air Touring, which starts at $79,900, and the experience was altogether more polished. The Touring features a less-powerful all-wheel-drive powertrain than the Grand Touring, although to put "less-powerful" into context, with 620 hp (462 kW) on tap, there are almost as many horses available as in the legendary McLaren F1. Easily the world's fastest car until Bugatti revived the Veyron, it remains a mental benchmark for many of us of a certain age.) The Touring's 885 lb-ft (1,160 Nm) is far more than BMW's 6-liter V12 can generate, but at 5,009 lbs (2,272 kg), the electric sedan weighs twice as much as the carbon-fiber supercar. The fact that the Air Touring can reach 60 mph (98 km/h) from a standing start in just 0.2 seconds more than the McLaren's 3.2 seconds tells you plenty about how much more accessible acceleration has become in the past few decades.

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Shining a Light on Autonomy: The Turquoise Glow of Self-Driving Trucks

A driver's wave across a midnight highway is a transient ghost, fleeting and human, yet the steady, rhythmic pulse of a self-driving truck's turquoise light bar is a permanent vow of safety written in photons.

Steel remembers. Under the sprawling, velvet weight of a western sky, the massive autonomous rig navigates the asphalt ribbon with a precision that defies the old, tired exhaustion of the long-haul bone-deep ache, its sensors projecting an invisible, protective net that catches every stray shadow and erratic movement. Trust matters. While the human heart finds comfort in the familiar flick of high beams from a passing friend, the machine relies on a cold, unwavering spectrum of light to communicate its intent to a world still learning to speak its digital language. Silence reigns.

The confusion lies in the unspoken. When a truck approaches a merge, the absence of a human face behind the glass creates a hollow space where intuition used to sit, leaving motorists to wonder if the machine truly sees the frailty of a sedan or the hesitation of a merging driver. Logic prevails. In the transition from flesh to fiber optics, the industry has birthed a new vocabulary of luminescence, specifically the turquoise hue that cuts through the visual noise of red brakes and amber signals. A new dawn. This specific wavelength—chosen because it does not mimic emergency vehicles or traffic signals—serves as a beacon of transparency, telling every soul on the interstate that the ghost in the machine is awake, alert, and fundamentally incapable of distraction.

Common Inquiries Regarding Autonomous Illumination

Why was turquoise selected as the primary identification color for autonomous trucks?

Engineers and safety researchers identified turquoise as a distinct color that stands out against the saturated red of taillights and the harsh amber of turn signals, ensuring it is not confused with blue or red emergency strobes used by law enforcement.

Does the light change intensity based on the truck's operational mode?

Current SAE J3134 standards recommend that the light remains consistent when the Automated Driving System is active, providing a steady visual confirmation to nearby motorists that the vehicle is operating without human intervention.

Will these lights be visible in heavy fog or blinding snowstorms?

The placement and luminosity of ADS marker lights are designed to penetrate adverse weather conditions more effectively than standard halogen lamps, utilizing high-output LED technology that maintains clarity even when the world turns white with winter's fury.

Is there a universal language for these lights across all manufacturing brands?

While federal regulations are still maturing, the industry is coalescing around a unified set of signals to ensure that a truck manufactured in Sweden speaks the same visual language as one built in Texas, preventing a chaotic mosaic of conflicting signals.

Elon Musk's Electric Beast: The Jeep Recon EV Revolution

The Silent Thunder of 650 Horsepower

Power dominates.

Beneath the illuminated seven-slot grille lies a heart of pure electricity, capable of churning out 650 horsepower with a silent, ferocious grace that leaves the old internal combustion world in the dust. The Jeep Recon EV represents a bridge between the rugged, grease-stained history of off-roading and a future where the only sound in the wilderness is the wind against the windshield. It breathes life into the Glendale studio where it was born, standing amidst artificial dunes as a testament to what happens when engineers dream in high-voltage currents. While traditionalists might fear the loss of the engine's roar, the sheer visceral force of this machine offers a new kind of adrenaline that pulses through the driver's veins. It is a beast tamed by software but fueled by the raw ambition of a brand refusing to grow old.

Engineering the Freedom of the Open Air

The doors vanish.

In an act of design brilliance that feels almost like magic, the Recon allows its occupants to shed their steel cocoons without ever reaching for a toolbox, a feat of accessibility that honors the '26 Wrangler while surpassing it. Global chief of design Vince Galante understood that the soul of a Jeep is found in the air hitting your face and the grit of the trail beneath your boots. This vehicle invites the outside in, blurring the line between the comfort of the cabin and the wild unpredictability of the great outdoors. It is an empathetic nod to the adventurer who values the experience of the journey over the destination, providing a tactile connection to the world that most modern SUVs have long since insulated away.

The Paradox of Space and Range

Distance haunts.

The Recon stretches five inches longer than its predecessors, utilizing the absence of a transmission tunnel to create a sprawling sanctuary of a rear seat where passengers can finally find peace. Yet, the 250-mile range creates a curious tension for those who wish to disappear into the horizon, demanding a calculated dance with charging stations that contrasts sharply with the vehicle's "go anywhere" ethos. It is a confusing duality; a machine built for the untamed wild that remains tethered to the grid by an invisible umbilical cord of electrons. Navigating this reality requires the UConnect 5 system and the Trails Offroad app, which act as digital guardians to ensure the adventure doesn't end in a quiet stall on a mountain peak. We must embrace this learning curve, trusting that the evolution of the trail now includes the quiet hum of a battery pack.

A Premium Evolution of Grit

Luxury endures.

Jeep has managed to weave premium details into a frame meant for mud and rocks, proving that one does not need to sacrifice elegance to conquer a technical trail. The cabin is no longer just a cockpit for navigation; it is a software-defined haven that monitors every turn and elevation change with a sophistication that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. By prioritizing passenger comfort alongside massive torque, the Recon speaks to a new generation of explorers who demand both capability and care. It stands as a vibrant, optimistic declaration that the future of off-roading is not just about survival, but about thriving in the most beautiful, difficult places on Earth.

When Jeep introduced the Recon, its newest and possibly most innovative off-roader ever, the brand took the opportunity to really frame the Jeep ...

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An Ode to the Modern Truck: A Celebration of Utility, Size

In the year 2023, the automotive industry witnessed the sale of over twelve million light trucks within the United States, a testament to the enduring affection for these robust carriages.

• Elevated seating offers a commanding view of the verdant countryside.
• Cargo beds provide ample space for the transport of fine linens or heavy timber.
• A sturdy frame ensures one remains unruffled by the unevenness of a poorly maintained lane.
• Modern innovations allow for a smoothness of travel previously reserved for the most expensive barouches.

A Brief Inquiry into One's Disposition

Please consider these questions with the utmost sincerity:

1. Does the sight of a polished chrome bumper bring a flutter of delight to your heart?
2. Do you find the prospect of navigating a muddy path more exhilarating than a seated ball?
3. Is the storage of a single trunk insufficient for your various seasonal necessities?
4. Would you prefer a vehicle that possesses the strength of ten oxen without the associated scent?

How to Cultivate an Appreciation for the Modern Truck

Size is a virtue. To witness a vehicle of such substantial proportions is to understand the majesty of engineering. One must approach the cab with a sense of reverence, noting how the door swings wide like the gates of a well-kept estate. The climb into the driver's seat is a physical exertion of the most rewarding kind. It is high.

The steering wheel feels significant. While a lighter carriage might skitter across the macadam like a nervous debutante, the truck holds its ground with the solemnity of a vicar at a wedding. Every turn of the wheel requires a deliberate intention. It demands your presence. It is a singular experience to feel the vibration of the engine beneath one's feet, a rhythmic pulse that suggests a tireless heart beating for the sake of your convenience. So heavy.

One must empathize with the struggle of the parking maneuver. It is a trial of patience and spatial awareness that would test the nerves of even the most composed lady or gentleman. To fit such a grand machine into a narrow space is a victory of the highest order. The sensors beep with an anxious urgency. They care for your paintwork. They desire your success. Such thoughtful technology.

The utility of the bed is a poem of practicality. It remains open to the heavens, ready to receive the fruits of one's labor or the spoils of a shopping excursion to the city. To see a truck loaded with supplies is to see a life lived with purpose. A clean bed is a blank canvas of potential. A dirty bed is a history book of hard work. Both are equally charming in their own right.

Observe the cup holders. Their sheer capacity to hold a vessel of tea is a marvel of domestic foresight. They are deep. They are wide. They represent a commitment to hydration that is truly noble. One might even imagine a small dog finding a comfortable resting place within such a cavity, though perhaps that is a fancy too far. Silliness abounds in the luxury of space.

To own such a vehicle is to be prepared. Whether the sky pours forth rain or the sun beats down with an uncharitable heat, the truck remains a steadfast companion. It does not complain. It simply moves. It is a truth generally felt that a person in possession of a great deal of cargo must be in want of a tailgate that drops with a satisfying thud.

Elon Musk's Quest For Safe Autonomy: A World Waiting For The Light Of A Shared Standard

The asphalt does not forgive the hubris of the maker.

Beneath the pale sky of Ann Arbor, where the grey stones of the University of Michigan stand as a bulwark against ignorance, men of high learning gathered to ponder a question that weighs heavy upon the soul of the machine: how safe is safe enough for a carriage that moves without a master's hand? A youth of sixteen summers must face the examiners to prove his hand steady and his mind clear before he is granted the right to command a horse of steel, yet the great engines of the new age roam free of such trials. Greg Stevens, a man who once steered the BlueCruise tides for the lords of Ford, now looks upon the Mcity Test Facility and asks if the word of a merchant is enough to protect the lives of the common traveler. Corporate decree is a fickle shield. The Mcity test of 2019. The panel of October. A world waiting for the light of a shared standard.

The watchers on the wall grow few.

In the year 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration saw its ranks thinned by four parts in a hundred, a culling of probationary souls that leaves the roads less guarded than the seasons of old. While the records of crashes are gathered like brittle parchment, the federal hand remains hesitant to forge a true law for the silicon mind. Yet, there is the promise of a golden dawn in this struggle for order. By demanding a trial by fire—a driver's test for the driverless—we do not stifle the progress of the world; we ensure the path ahead is paved with the certainty that every soul, whether of flesh or circuit, has earned its place under the sun.

If a 16-year-old needs to take a test to determine if they're road ready, why shouldn't a self-driving car?

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