In the world of tech, an embargo is only as strong as the person who hits "publish" last. It appears ArsTechnica accidentally jumped the gun on the Rivian R2, briefly posting and then deleting an article that laid out the full launch details for the highly anticipated SUV. Fortunately for enthusiasts, Reddit users were quick to capture the details before they vanished.
The leak arrives just one day before the official reveal on Thursday, March 12, giving us a massive look at the pricing and performance tiers of the vehicle Rivian hopes will carry it to profitability.
The Three-Tiered R2 Lineup
The leaked data outlines three distinct trims for the R2, ranging from a high-performance launch model to the long-promised affordable base version.
R2 Performance (Launch Package): This is the first version expected to roll off the line in mid-2026. It starts at $57,990 (plus a $1,495 delivery charge) and features a 656 hp dual-motor powertrain, an 87.9 kWh battery, and up to 330 miles of range. It also includes a semi-active suspension.
R2 Premium: Slated for late 2026, this trim starts at $53,990. It keeps the 330-mile range but drops the horsepower to 450 and uses a standard suspension setup.
R2 Standard: This is the model Rivian fans have been waiting for, hitting the legendary $45,000 price point. However, buyers will have to wait until late 2027 to get their hands on it.
Standard Trim Specs and the Competition
While hitting a $45,000 entry price is a huge win for Rivian, the "Standard" trim comes with a trade-off that might give some buyers pause. The base model features a smaller battery pack that only enables approximately 265 miles of range.
When you compare that to its primary rival, the Tesla Model Y, the gap is noticeable. The cheapest Model Y is currently priced at $39,990 and offers a significantly higher EPA-rated 321 miles of range. Rivian is likely betting that its unique utility features — like the fold-flat front seats for camping and the fully retractable rear window — will be enough to win over customers who want more than just raw range.
Built for the Future of Charging
The R2 is built on a lighter platform than the R1S and will be the first Rivian to ship with a native NACS charging port. This means R2 owners will have seamless access to the Tesla Supercharger network the moment they take delivery.
While the leak has given us plenty to chew on, there is still a lot to see, including all the configurations, the final software interface, accessories, and more. Make sure to check out our R2 event preview for details on how to watch the launch tomorrow. We’ll be providing full coverage of the R2 launch and every surprise Rivian has in store.
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Rivian is simplifying its lineup just as it prepares for one of the most significant product launches in its history. The company has officially confirmed that the "Dual Standard" configuration is being pulled from the R1 lineup, effectively raising the entry price for both its electric pickup and SUV.
According to a report from RivianTrackr, this move marks the end of the road for the $72,990 R1T Dual Standard and the $76,990 R1S Dual Standard trims. These base models utilized an LFP battery pack that has recently faced calibration issues, which may have contributed to the decision to retire the configuration.
The New R1 Price Floor
With the Dual Standard trims gone, the starting prices for the R1 series have seen a notable jump. The new entry points for the lineup are as follows:
R1T Dual: $79,990
R1S Dual: $83,990
To clear out remaining inventory, Rivian is offering a final lease deal on 2026 R1 Dual Standard units starting at $749 per month for 36 months, with an additional $3,000 off the lease. However, the clock is ticking, as leases must be approved by March 19 and vehicles delivered by March 31. This move creates a much clearer "premium" gap between the R1 series and the upcoming, more affordable R2.
The Upcoming R2 Unveil
The primary catalyst for this lineup shift is likely the R2 midsize SUV, which is set to be unveiled this Thursday, March 12. The R2 is a critical project for Rivian, as the company is banking on the new platform and its autonomy stack to reach profitability by the end of 2026.
Rivian Wave
Rivian is targeting a starting price of roughly $45,000 for the single-motor base model. While that entry-level trim won't be the first to arrive, the pricier dual-motor, all-wheel drive R2 Launch Edition is expected to be a performance beast. That version will reportedly feature an 87.4 kWh battery, 656 horsepower, and a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds.
The R2 also brings several clever utility features to the table, including front seats that fold totally flat for car camping and a rear window that rolls completely down into the tailgate. It will also feature a native NACS charging port, allowing it to use Tesla's Supercharger network from the first mile.
Volume production for the R2 is expected to begin in Illinois in mid-2026. By removing the cheapest R1 trims now, Rivian ensures that its older, more expensive models don't step on the value proposition of the R2. If you want to see the new SUV in action, make sure to check out our guide on how to watch the R2 launch event.
Rivian’s CEO is officially expanding his empire into the world of artificial intelligence and factory automation. Mind Robotics, a startup founded by RJ Scaringe in 2025, has just announced a massive $500 million Series A funding round to accelerate the deployment of AI-powered robots across the industrial sector.
The investment, which is expected to close later this month, was co-led by major venture capital firms Accel and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). This follows an initial seed round of $115 million led by Eclipse Capital late last year, bringing the company's total war chest to well over $600 million in just its first year of existence.
What is Mind Robotics?
Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Mind Robotics was created to solve a specific problem in modern manufacturing. While traditional industrial robots are great at doing the same thing over and over again, they struggle with "reasoning-intensive" tasks that require human-like adaptation.
Mind is building a full-stack platform — including the AI models, the robot hardware, and the deployment infrastructure — to handle work that requires physical reasoning and dexterity. As Scaringe explained in the company’s press release:
“As AI enters the physical world, we believe the largest, at-scale application for advanced robotics will be across the industrial sector. Advanced robotics are going to be critical for global competitiveness, as well as addressing the substantial industrial labor shortages that exist today. We’re building robots that will perform real tasks, in real plants, at real scale. I am grateful to have partners that believe in what we are building at Mind Robotics — looking forward to having Sameer join our Board.”
A $500 Million Bet on Industrial AI
The scale of this Series A round reflects the massive confidence investors have in Scaringe’s ability to scale hardware. Sameer Gandhi, a partner at Accel who is joining the Mind Robotics Board, pointed to the team's track record in building Rivian’s ambitious EV manufacturing operations as a key reason for the investment.
By focusing on "dexterous" and "variable" tasks, Mind Robotics is aiming for the "value-add" work in factories that has remained largely manual until now. The goal is to create an AI foundation that allows robots to learn and adapt to real-world environments rather than just following a rigid script.
The Rivian Connection
Mind Robotics isn't just a side project; it operates with Rivian as a partner and major shareholder. This relationship creates a powerful "data flywheel" where Mind can use Rivian’s at-scale manufacturing plants to train its AI models in a live environment.
The two companies are set to benefit from one another significantly. Rivian is currently pushing for profitability by the end of 2026, a goal it hopes to achieve through the launch of the R2 SUV and its own internal autonomy hardware. By integrating Mind’s advanced robotics into its production lines, Rivian could potentially lower its manufacturing costs and increase efficiency. On the flip side, Mind Robotics gets access to Rivian’s advanced electro-mechanical engineering chops and a playground to perfect its bots before selling them to the rest of the industrial world.
As Rivian prepares for its big R2 reveal this week, the news of Mind Robotics' massive funding shows that Scaringe is thinking far beyond just the vehicles themselves — he's looking to automate the entire way they are built.
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