Now that’s RAD! EV 4×4 maker Rivian announces new performance division as it contemplates battery electric Ranger Raptor fighter
Ford Performance may soon have new competition in the off-road performance EV space, with US electric vehicle maker Rivian announcing the creation of a dedicated in-house performance division.
Called the Rivian Adventure Department (RAD), the new skunkworks-style unit was unveiled at the FAT Ice Race held in Montana in the United States.
The division will focus on developing higher-performance and more capable versions of Rivian’s existing and upcoming electric vehicles, including the Rivian R1T ute and Rivian R1S SUV, as well as the forthcoming Rivian R2 mid-size SUV and Rivian R3 compact crossover.
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Rivian says the new team comprises engineers, designers and enthusiasts “who spend their days and nights exploring the limits of what a Rivian can do”.
According to Rivian, RAD’s role will be to “unlock the next level of capability and performance” from the brand’s vehicles.
Among the projects under consideration is a potential production version of Rivian’s off-road racing ute, which has already competed in events such as the Rebelle Rally and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in recent years.
Rivian’s motorsport programme has so far helped deliver features such as the R1T’s Desert Rally driving mode.
With additional resources now dedicated to the project, the company is expected to explore further off-road performance upgrades including revised suspension, braking systems and body modifications.
Such developments could see a more extreme version of the quad-motor R1T positioned as a rival to high-performance off-road utes such as the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ford F‑150 Raptor.
In its current flagship quad-motor form, the R1T produces up to 764kW and 1624Nm, allowing the electric ute to accelerate from 0–100km/h in around 2.7 seconds. It is not yet known whether the new division will pursue further increases in output.
Commenting on the creation of RAD, Rivian chief design officer Jeff Hammoud said: “RAD represents the living, breathing expression of the passion that defines Rivian.
“That impulse to explore, to push limits and to embrace adventure is not confined to one team – it is the very DNA of our entire company, from the designers and engineers to our community of owners.”
Rivian has not confirmed Australian launch timing, but its global expansion is expected to include right-hand-drive markets as the brand prepares to introduce the R2 SUV.
This model is scheduled to debut in the United States in the first half of this year, with a United Kingdom launch reportedly targeted for 2027 – a move that could pave the way for Rivian vehicles in Australia.
