In a recent Q&A session with Doug DeMuro, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe provided a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the R1’s most legendary lost features: the removable roof. For years, early fans of Rivian have wondered what happened to the promise of an open-air Rivian, a feature that would have put the electric adventure vehicles in direct competition with icons like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.
Now, we finally have the official story - a short tale of an ambitious design, manufacturing realities, and a glimmer of hope for the future.
The Three-Piece Carbon Fiber Roof
In the interview, RJ confirmed that during the initial development of the R1 platform, Rivian didn’t just consider a removable roof. Instead, they fully engineered and built it. In fact, he also mentioned that a few of the prototypes sporting this special removable roof actually exist within Rivian’s internal fleet.
The design was a sophisticated, three-piece carbon-fiber top that would have replaced the entire standard glass roof, opening up the cabin to the elements. In a brilliant design choice, the three lightweight panels were designed to fit neatly into the R1’s frunk, meaning owners could easily and spontaneously remove their roofs.
That’s a fantastic way to really spice up an adventure, without needing extra hassle or space somewhere else in your vehicle. It truly would’ve leaned into Rivian’s adventure ethos and given us one of the first open-air electric vehicle experiences.
The Reality of Production
So, if the feature was fully tooled and prototypes exist… why can’t you buy one today? The answer, as is often the case in the auto industry, comes down to the immense difficulty of mass production.
RJ explained that they ultimately made the tough decision to cancel the feature for customers due to the added complexity it brought to production and significant challenges with the supply chain. Rivian has already struggled with the R1’s complex supply chain, and simplifying a complex item like this into a single glass roof option likely helped to cut down on production challenges considerably.
For a startup designing and scaling its first vehicle, ensuring a perfect seal and managing logistics for a complex, multi-piece roof system proved to be too much of a hurdle for the initial launch or even for the R1 Gen 2 refresh.
A Glimmer of Hope
While the removable roof for the R1 is officially off the table for now, it may not be gone forever. Acknowledging that the feature has immense appeal, RJ stated that he wouldn’t say never to the idea of bringing it back in the future.
That’s a glimmer of hope for fans of an open-air R1, that as Rivian’s manufacturing processes mature and their production lines finally settle, we may get a real open-air EV experience.
In the meantime, Rivian is building a more pragmatic means for an open-air experience. RJ confirmed that the R2 features a rear glass window that drops down into the tailgate. This combination is designed to bring fresh air right into the vehicle and pull it through the entire cabin, offering a different - but still fantastic way to connect with the outdoors on your adventure.
The inside story of the R1’s removable roof is a classic example of ambitious design meeting the harsh challenges of manufacturing and engineering. While it ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor, it now seems like it could come back in the future. Maybe one day we’ll see the R1 with the option of a removable roof.
You can watch the entire Q&A session below.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Rivian news, upcoming features and software updates.
Every car company has an origin story, but few are as tied to the landscape as Rivian. As the brand prepares to shift from a niche adventure-truck maker to a household name with its upcoming R2 midsize SUV, many are asking a simple question: Where did the name actually come from?
The answer lies in the childhood of the company’s founder, RJ Scaringe. According to a recent post on Threads, the name is a portmanteau derived from the “Indian River,” the wild estuary in Florida where Scaringe spent his youth exploring in a rowboat.
From the Indian River to MIT
The journey from a Florida rowboat to a global EV powerhouse wasn't a straight line. As Scaringe grew up, he found himself torn between two deep loves: cars and nature. He spent his time restoring iconic Porsches in a neighbor’s garage, but as his rowboat explorations taught him more about the environment, he began to see the conflict between his passion for speed and his desire to protect the wild.
This internal tug-of-war followed him to MIT. While earning his PhD in engineering and lean manufacturing, he became hyper-aware of his environmental footprint. He began drying laundry on clotheslines in his apartment and biking to class in the middle of New England winters. Eventually, he realized that he could do more by changing the industry itself.
"RJ recognized the power of the automotive industry to shape the way people live, work and play for the better," the company’s official story states. After graduation, he hand-picked a team of designers and engineers to build a new kind of car company — one that didn't just make cars, but encouraged people to "stay adventurous forever."
The Mission Behind the Badge
Rivian chose to start with trucks and SUVs for a specific reason: they are historically the most-polluting vehicles on the road. By electrifying the heaviest hitters first, the company could make the biggest impact. The goal was to create a ride that is "capable of handling every kind of terrain skillfully, and hauling all kinds of gear (and loved ones) effortlessly."
This vision has evolved into a lineup that blends high-end technology with rugged capability. Every decision, from the self-driving features to the storage solutions, is designed to make choosing an adventure easier for the average person.
The Pivot to the R2
While the R1T and R1S established Rivian as a premium player, the company is now entering its most critical phase. The upcoming R2 SUV is the vehicle that Rivian believes will carry it to profitability in the near future.
The $57,990 R2 Performance is slated to be the first off the line later this spring with the exclusive Launch Package, followed by the Premium and Long Range trims. Eventually, the $45,000 Standard model will arrive in late 2027 to compete directly with the world's most popular EVs. For those looking to see how these models compare, we’ve put together a full breakdown of the R2 trims.
Rivian is no longer just a startup with a cool name; it’s a company trying to prove that you don't have to choose between the cars you love and the nature you want to explore. As the R2 hits the road, the spirit of that Florida rowboat continues to drive every motor they build.
Rivian is getting ready to hit the arena. Following a string of leaks earlier this week, we now have our best look yet at the Rivian R1S performing aerials and scoring goals in Rocket League. While the vehicle was first spotted in Fortnite's backend files, new footage has surfaced showing the flagship SUV fully rendered and playable within the high-octane soccer-with-cars game.
The newly surfaced video showcases the R1S zipping around the arena, and accompanying screenshots show that it will be available in multiple configurations. It isn’t just a basic white SUV; the footage reveals multiple color schemes and detailing options. As we recently reported, the vehicle will also feature a custom "R.A.D." variant. This stands for the Rivian Adventure Department, which is Rivian’s real-world performance division tasked with pushing their electric vehicles to their absolute limits.
One of the most interesting aspects of this digital launch is the cross-game compatibility between Epic Games’ titles. Recent sightings of the R1S in the Fortnite Item Shop indicate that buying the car there will also unlock it in Rocket League. This means you can use your R1S to traverse the island in Fortnite's Battle Royale or Rocket Racing modes, and then hop over to Rocket League to use that same "car body" in a competitive match.
Rivian Wave
The leaked footage shows the R1S with its signature "stadium" headlights and sleek light bar, which makes it one of the most recognizable silhouettes to enter the game. While the flagship R1S is a great start, many fans are hoping this "Rivian Series" eventually expands to include the upcoming R2 or even the rally-inspired R3X.
Rivian Wave
Marketing the Future of Adventure
The timing for this virtual debut couldn't be better. Rivian is currently finalizing the rollout for its highly anticipated R2 midsize SUV. The $57,990 R2 Performance is set to reach the first customers later this spring. While the R1S is the current "greatest hits" model, bringing the R2 into the gaming world right as physical deliveries begin would be a massive marketing win for the brand.
Rivian Wave
Rivian famously avoids traditional TV commercials, choosing instead to focus on community events like SXSW 2026 earlier this month and digital partnerships. By putting its vehicles in front of millions of young, tech-savvy gamers, Rivian is building brand affinity with the next generation of car buyers. It’s the same strategy Tesla used when it brought the Cybertruck to Fortnite last year.
There’s still no official word on the exact release date or price for the Rivian R1S bundle, but with footage now appearing of the vehicle in action, it’s likely just a matter of days before it hits the shop. Whether you're an EV enthusiast or just looking for a unique new car body for your next tournament, the R1S is looking like a solid addition to the Rocket League roster.
![Watch the Rivian R1S in Action in Rocket League [VIDEO]](https://www.rivianwave.com/img/paths/storage/r1s/rivian-r1s-rocket-league-5.webp/78f291c2934ea258d5ae0d2ac6383767/rivian-r1s-rocket-league-5.jpg)
![Rivian's Upcoming AI Assistant: First Look [VIDEO]](https://www.rivianwave.com/img/paths/storage/rivian-screen/rivian-ai-assistant-search.webp/c89f7eefe92d9acd1a1ab3d5574e43ea/rivian-ai-assistant-search.jpg)
