Rivian puts its foot down with the upcoming second-generation 2025 Rivian R1T quad-motor pickup. This pickup truck has many improvements you cannot see, and some craze speed and acceleration you can feel. We take it to the drag strip at the debut event near Seattle Washington to find out for ourselves. Let’s dig in!
While Rivian is still using a 400-volt high-voltage system for the second generation of the R1 lineup, the company engineers and designers updated the battery packaging and redesigned the motors with improved oil-spray cooling. The result is a combined 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque with the new quad-motor system. These are impressive power numbers for any production pickup, but it does not mean much if you cannot put this power to the ground. Rivian is solving this with new Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires that were developed specifically for the R1T quad-motor. It’s a staggered fitment with 275 wide in the front and 305 wide in the rear. These tires are rated at a top speed of 130 MPH. (Yes, we know that some older production trucks – such as the Dodge Ram SRT10 had higher top speeds.) Most modern pickup trucks have top speed limited to around 106 MPH or 118 MPH for the F-150 Raptor.
We got to test the second-generation R1T on a properly prepared drag strip surface that includes laying down rubber and glue for best traction. A Rivian development engineer clocked a 2.43 second 0-60 MPH time at the drag strip. The company states 2.5 seconds 0-60 MPH as its official time.
Next it was my turn to run a 0-60 MPH and a quarter mile. There were three people in the truck (myself and two passengers), because – why not! The new R1T has a special Launch Mode that is pretty easy to use. Click a button on the digital screen, swipe up the confirmation, and you are ready to go. Put your left foot all the down on the brake pedal. The system is measuring your applied brake pressure. You need to really stand on it. Make sure the steering wheel is straight. Mash the accelerator pedal, and let go of the brake when ready. The preparation process take just a few seconds.
My result was a quick 2.73 seconds 0-60 MPH and a quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds at 129 MPH. Whoa! Rivian quotes an official 10.5 second quarter-mile time for the new R1T. By the way, Rivian says that the new R1T may just be a fraction of a second quicker than the new R1S quad-motor because of its longer wheelbase (135 inches) that helps weight transfer get a little better grip.
For comparison, independent testing by Motor Trend says that the new Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast tri-motor is capable of a 2.5 seconds 0-60 MPH and a quarter mile in 11.0 seconds at 113.7 MPH.
Join the video below for some quick and fast fun.
