Rivian's Cel-Shaded Design and How to View a Subtle 3D Effect

September 20, 2024

By Karan Singh

Rivian Wave

With update 2024.19.04, Rivian introduced a striking visual overhaul to its vehicle software, featuring a completely new cel-shaded design for its vehicles. Moving away from realistic models, Rivian embraced a bold, anime-inspired aesthetic known as cel-shading, offering a fresh and dynamic look.

The cel-shaded 3D models come to life with stunning animations as you switch between drive modes, adding a stylish, artistic flair to the interface. The result is a visually captivating and modern experience.

Vehicle Mode Animations

When you change your vehicle mode, the background artwork and animations adapt to match. While parked, you can even touch the screen with two fingers to move the model slightly, creating a subtle 3D effect.

Each mode has its own unique animations. In Conserve mode, windmills spin in the background, while in Rally and Drift modes, dirt and dust fly up from your Rivian's tires. In Sport mode, you'll notice speed lines near the rear of the vehicle as it races along a virtual track.

You can view the subtle animation with a two-finger drag in the video below:

Time of Day Effects

The time of day also affects the UI, with the moon rising at night and the sun shining during the day, adding an extra layer of immersion.

Rivian has truly nailed this update, delivering a smooth, responsive, and visually impressive experience. It's easily one of the best vehicle UIs available today.

Rivian's Sport Mode

Rivian Wave

Leaked: Rivian's R2 is Coming to Fortnite and Rocket League

March 23, 2026

By Nehal Malik

@fortnitecarguy

Rivian is taking its marketing strategy to the virtual world. Fresh off the reveal of Rivian’s first midsize SUV, new leaks suggest the R2 is headed to both Fortnite and Rocket League. The move follows a path similar to Tesla, which brought the Cybertruck to both Epic Games-owned titles back in 2024 to massive fanfare.

According to X users @BackersGamesF and @fortnitecarguy, the R2 assets have been discovered within the encrypted game files for Fortnite. The leaked 3D models show the R2 sitting alongside another upcoming vehicle, looking ready for the island's terrain. Meanwhile, @RLGameNews reports that the R2 is also slated for a Rocket League debut, meaning players will soon be able to use the electric SUV to score goals in the arena.

While there is no official word yet on the launch date or the specific in-game events, this digital debut is a smart play for Rivian. By putting the R2 in front of millions of gamers, the company can build hype and familiarize a younger, tech-savvy audience with the brand. It is an important move, especially since the R2 is more of a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y than a niche product like the Cybertruck.

@fortnitecarguy

Rivian R2 Specs

The R2 is critical for Rivian’s future, as the company is banking on this mass-market vehicle to reach profitability by the end of 2026. Rivian recently detailed a multi-trim lineup for the SUV, designed to hit several different price points.

The $57,990 R2 Performance will be the first to reach customers. This dual-motor AWD flagship is slated for delivery in late Spring 2026, with early orders shipping with a special Launch Package. It features a blistering 3.6-second 0–60 mph time and the signature "Drop Glass" rear window. Following the Performance trim, Rivian will release the $53,990 Premium variant in late 2026 and the $48,490 Standard Long Range in early 2027.

The most anticipated version remains the $45,000 base Standard trim, which is expected to launch in late 2027. This model will likely be the volume seller that Rivian needs to compete globally with established EV leaders.

Gaming as a Marketing Powerhouse

Bringing a real-world car into a game like Fortnite isn't just a gimmick; it’s a way to embed the brand into pop culture. When players spend hours driving — or flying — the R2 in their favorite games, it builds a level of brand recognition that traditional TV commercials just can't match.

For a company like Rivian that doesn't spend much on traditional advertising, these digital partnerships are a high-impact way to reach its target demographic. As we wait for the official announcement from Epic Games, one thing is certain: the R2 is set to become a digital star long before the first consumer units hit the driveway.

Audi to Start Using Rivian Tech in Cars by 2028, More Brands to Follow

March 20, 2026

By Nehal Malik

Rivian Wave

Audi is officially joining the Rivian software fold. The German automaker has confirmed that it will begin using the electronic architecture developed through the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture in its vehicles starting in 2028.

According to a recent report from SmartDroid, the move marks a major turning point for Audi’s electric lineup. While the brand has performed well with the A6 and Q6 e-tron, the switch to "RV Tech" architecture — the name of the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen — will allow for true "software-defined vehicles." The first model to feature this tech is expected to be the new Audi A4 e-tron.

The $5.8 Billion Joint Venture

This expansion into Audi is the direct result of the massive partnership first announced in June 2024. Volkswagen originally pledged $5 billion to Rivian, a figure that was later upped to $5.8 billion.

The goal was simple: Volkswagen gets access to Rivian’s world-class zonal control technology and software, while Rivian gets a massive cash infusion and the scale of a global automotive giant. The partnership, co-headed by Rivian’s Wassym Bensaid and VW’s Carsten Helbing, focuses on creating a software and electronics backbone that can support everything from subcompact cars like the upcoming VW ID.1 to premium luxury SUVs.

By building software in-house, Rivian has created a platform that allows for "over-the-air" updates to almost every digital component — including the drivetrain, steering, and suspension. It is a level of vertical integration that Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has defended since 2018, even when his own board questioned if it was necessary.

Rivian has already received $3.3 billion of the joint venture’s $5.8 billion value so far. Volkswagen is set to pay out another $2 billion to Rivian this year, with the remaining $500 million expected in 2027.

The R2 Launch and Future Licensing

The R2 platform is the "bootstrap" for this entire operation. Rivian is currently finalizing the rollout of its long-anticipated R2 midsize SUV, which is expected to start reaching customers by the end of spring. The company is banking on the R2 to carry it toward profitability.

Rivian Wave

Rivian plans to roll out the R2 in four distinct phases:

R2 Performance ($57,990): Late Spring 2026
R2 Premium ($53,990): Late 2026
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Early 2027
R2 Standard ($45,000): Late 2027

While some critics have questioned the partnership due to the difficulty of integrating EV-only software into VW's remaining combustion-engine fleet, Scaringe remains confident. During a recent interview at SXSW with Fast Company’s Brendan Vaughan, he dismissed the idea of a Volkswagen takeover, stating, “That’s not the outcome we were looking for.” Instead, he sees the VW deal as the first of many licensing agreements where Rivian provides the "digital backbone" for the entire auto industry.

With Audi now locked in for 2028, it’s clear that Rivian’s tech is no longer just for "adventure" vehicles — it's becoming the standard for the next generation of German luxury. It might not be long before Porsche, another Volkswagen brand, follows suit, or Rivian finds itself in a similar arrangement with an automotive brand outside the VW Group entirely.