R2-Beat-you: New Rivian R2 SUV locked in for March 7 debut with sight set on ending Tesla Model Y’s grip on mid-size SUV market

Rivian will join the growing number of EV start-ups out to pinch a slice of the million-plus sales the Tesla Model Y now commands annually with the launch of its small R2 SUV on March 7.

Rivian’s secret plans to reveal the R2 SUV were leaked online following the proposals to display a handful of vehicles were posted by a US city council online that were then reposted on a Reddit forum.

Perhaps in hindsight it wasn’t best to title the licence applications ‘Rivian R2 Launch’ but thanks to Laguna Beach city council we now know exactly where and when the US brand will launch what will certainly become its best-selling model.

READ MORE: The shine comes off Rivian, as EV start-up stumbles and drops billions
READ MORE: Ram TRX supercharged V8 takes on Rivian EV in drag race
READ MORE: Rivian R1T and R1S Australian launch is one big step closer

As well as launching the Rivian R2 out of the five ocean-view car park spaces that it applied for, two of the bays were marked ‘LG’.

This had led to speculation that, along with the Rivian R2, the brand will also unwrap the much-rumoured Ascent versions of the R1T and R1S which will feature a quad-motor powertrain that will produces more than 1000hp (745kW).

Other rumours suggest that, as well as the R2 SUV, the EV-start-up will show off its mid-size pick-up truck that will rival the Ford Ranger.

Back in May 2023 Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe and design boss, Jeff Hammond, previewed the  Rivian R2 SUV during an Instagram live story when both answered questions in front of a draped full-size clay model of the Tesla Model Y rival.

Back then, the silhouette of the medium/large all-electric SUV suggested short front and rear overhangs, blocky styling but a rakish windscreen with the US brand’s new entry model mimicking more rugged SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco.

Beneath the skin, the R2 should feature the brand’s all-new Enduro powertrain that combined a powerful single electric motor with a next-generation lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, plus new electronics. All-wheel drive will also be an option.

What won’t be offered will be the brand’s trademark Tank Turn capability.

Available on the quad-motor R1s, that can deploy its torque in any direction on any wheel, tank turns allow the battery-powered pick-up truck to rotate dramatically on a central axis.

Since launch, Rivian says it’s worried that some owners might be tempted to abuse or misuse the tech causing damage to off-road trails.

Instead of engaging in a price war with the Tesla Model Y, when it arrives in either 2025 or 2026 it’s thought the R2 SUV will be priced from $US50,000 ($A75,000).

Rivian celebrated its best year of production yet in 2023, with more than 57,232 vehicles rolling off its Illinois-based factory.

That figure represents a 135 per cent year-on-year increase but the US car-maker says to be sustainable it will need to make (and sell) many more vehicles with its US plant estimated to be capable of scaling up its annual production to more than 200,000 vehicles.

For that to be possible, the brand says it wants to expand its operations to new territories that include Australia.

Previously it said it would launch here by 2024 but it’s thought it now might be tempted to wait for the R2 to enter production to ensure the mid-size SUV and potential ute will be used  to help with its launch Down Under.