If you’re on the hunt for Easter Eggs, Rivian hid this one really deep. Although this easter egg is no longer available since Rivian redesigned its Service Mode, we’ll take a look at what once was and hope that Rivian brings it back at some point in the future.
This easter egg required going into Rivian’s Engineering Menu, which has since been renamed Service Mode. At the time, Rivian displayed a stack of batteries on the main engineering menu. One of those batteries included a slightly darker Rivian logo. If you tapped the battery you would be greeted with a short clip from the Simpsons where Homer changes his name card to Max Power.
In the full clip, Homer sings: “Max Power — he's the man whose name you'd love to touch, but you mustn't touch. His name sounds good in your ear, but when you say it, you mustn't fear, because his name can be said by anyone.”
It’s unfortunate this little easter egg isn’t available anymore, but at least we can revisit it any time.
After years of anticipation, the Rivian R2 is finally approaching its official debut. The company recently offered a nostalgic look at where the midsize SUV began by sharing early design sketches on social media. "R2 was once just a collection of sketches by our design team. Coming Spring 2026," Rivian posted on X.
R2 was once just a collection of sketches by our design team. Coming Spring 2026. pic.twitter.com/saMlCeUbNd
Comparing those early drawings to the final production units seen in recent media drives shows a design team that stayed remarkably true to its original vision. The R2 maintains the signature stadium headlights and clean lines that defined the sketches, though the final version looks a bit more rugged and ready for the real world.
Rivian Wave
The development process for the R2 has been a marathon. While Rivian has started organizing soft launches and small media events to drum up buzz, the SUV hasn't officially launched yet. We are still waiting for the big unveiling event on March 12, where Rivian is expected to drop all the final details on pricing, trim levels, and option packages.
For those who need a refresher, the R2 is built on an entirely new platform that is much lighter than its R1S sibling. Rivian is targeting a starting price of roughly $45,000 for the single-motor base model. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive Launch Edition — which Rivian has confirmed will be the first to roll off the production line — is expected to be a performance beast with an 87.4 kWh battery, putting out 656 horsepower and hitting 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.
The R2 is also packed with an improved infotainment system and clever utility features like a rear window that rolls completely down into the tailgate and front seats that fold totally flat for car camping. It even features a native NACS charging port, meaning it will be ready to use Tesla's massive Supercharging network right out of the box.
Rivian Wave
While production in Illinois is slated to begin in mid-2026, the global rollout has hit a few snags. Canadian fans recently learned that their launch has been pushed to 2027, as Rivian focuses on making sure the U.S. launch goes perfectly first. European product pages for the R2, meanwhile, simply note that it is “Coming to Europe.”
The March 12 event will be the moment we finally see if the R2 can live up to the massive expectations set by those early sketches. Are you planning to place a reservation for the R2 once the full details are out, or are you holding out for the R3? Let us know in the comments.
Rivian is giving its electric delivery van some much-needed love. The California-based automaker recently announced that its commercial workhorse is finally getting a significant upgrade, including a more capable battery and, for the first time, an all-wheel drive (AWD) option.
According to a report from InsideEVs, Rivian is working on a bigger battery pack and an AWD powertrain to help its van reach more remote areas and handle tougher weather conditions. Up until now, the Rivian Commercial Van (RCV) — as it was officially branded starting with the 2025 model year — has only been available with front-wheel drive and a single battery size.
While the current setup works for short local trips, the new, larger battery will reportedly offer a 30% increase in range. This should push real-world driving distance to over 200 miles, up from the current 161-mile estimate. Meanwhile, the addition of AWD will provide more power and better traction for drivers dealing with mud or snow.
Rivian’s electric van is currently available in two trims: RCV 500 and RCV 700. Both trims are powered by a 100 kWh battery pack and a single 320-horsepower motor. While that’s more than workable, delivery companies like Amazon, which has a massive deal with Rivian for 100,000 units, are looking to expand their electric fleets into more challenging environments.
This news comes at a perfect time for the startup. With Chevrolet recently discontinuing its BrightDrop van and Ford’s E-Transit facing its own hurdles, Rivian has a clear path to dominating the electric commercial market. Last year, the RCV topped the sales charts with over 13,000 units sold, far outpacing competitors from Mercedes-Benz and Ford.
Beyond its commercial success, Rivian is also gearing up for its biggest consumer launch yet with the R2 midsize SUV. Positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, the R2 is expected to start at a much more affordable price point of around $45,000, bringing Rivian’s adventure-ready tech to a wider audience.
As for the upgraded van, Rivian hasn't announced exactly when these new options will debut or how much the added range and AWD will cost.
What do you think of Rivian's new van updates? Would you trust an electric van to handle your deliveries in the snow? Let us know in the comments.
![Rivian 'Max Power' Simpsons Easter Egg [VIDEO]](https://www.rivianwave.com/img/paths/storage/rivian-reference/max-power-easter-egg-2.jpg/79787b66f4314fb5c00baeedffe59646/max-power-easter-egg-2.jpg)
