Rivian has officially unveiled its much-anticipated R2 SUV, and while the specs and pricing are impressive, the visual identity of this midsize electric explorer is equally striking. The R2 lineup is launching with a palette of eight distinct colors, including three brand-new options designed specifically for this new platform.
The R2 will arrive in three primary trims: Performance, Premium, and Standard. The Performance trim, starting at $57,990, will be the first off the production line, slated for delivery in Spring 2026. It will be followed by the $53,990 Premium trim in late 2026 and the $48,490 Standard Long Range in early 2027. An even more affordable $45,000 Standard variant is also planned for late 2027.
If you are in Austin, you can see these colors in person as Rivian offers public rides and demos at SXSW 2026 this week. For everyone else, here is a detailed breakdown of the R2 color palette.
Catalina Cove (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
Exclusive to the R2, Catalina Cove is a metallic paint inspired by the waters surrounding Catalina Island. Rivian describes this finish as one that shifts from deep Pacific blues to translucent greens depending on how the light hits the vehicle. It is a highly technical color that reinforces the expressive character of the new midsize platform.
Esker Silver (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
Esker Silver serves as the default paint option for the R2 across all trims. It is inspired by the winding ridges of gravel and sand left behind by glaciers. The paint features fine metallic flakes that shimmer and provide significant depth compared to a traditional flat silver.
Half Moon Grey (New for R2)
Rivian Wave
The final new addition to the palette is Half Moon Grey. This metallic grey takes its inspiration from the coastal cliffs of Half Moon Bay. The finish is designed to look like layers of granite and sandstone shifting under warm light, offering a sophisticated, earthy alternative to standard grey.
Midnight
Rivian Wave
Midnight is a premium, cool-toned black. Rather than being a flat, solid black, it features subtle blue metallic undertones and flakes that add depth. Rivian says the finish is intended to evoke the appearance of gazing up at the stars on a perfectly clear night.
Glacier White
Rivian Wave
Glacier White is the only non-metallic color in the R2 lineup. Rivian designed it to be pure and crisp with a hint of warmth. Because it lacks metallic flakes, it emphasizes the graphic outline of the vehicle and makes signature design elements, like the gloss black tailgate pillars and headlamps, pop.
Borealis
Rivian Wave
Previously a limited-edition color, Borealis is now a permanent part of the R2 lineup (at least for the Performance trim). It is described as a "deep, velvety purple" inspired by the aurora borealis. The paint has heavy black tones and shifts dramatically with the light, moving from a dark, moody hue to a vibrant purple.
Launch Green
Rivian Wave
Launch Green is a signature Rivian color that is only available for a limited time as part of the Launch Package. It is a non-metallic, deep olive-green with subtle red undertones. The color was originally inspired by the anti-corrosion E-coat applied to vehicle chassis in the factory. It has an industrial, matte-like appearance that blends seamlessly with nature.
Forest Green
Rivian Wave
A staple of the Rivian brand, Forest Green is a deep, metallic dark green. It has a high metallic content that produces bright highlights in the sun and sophisticated shadows in the shade. It often appears quite moody and rich, shifting between forest tones and a more technical gray depending on the environment.
R2 Color Availability by Trim
While the full list of colors was leaked just ahead of the official reveal, their availability is not uniform across all R2 versions. Esker Silver is the standard, no-cost option for every trim level.
The R2 Performance is currently the only trim that allows you to select from all eight colors. Furthermore, Launch Green is restricted exclusively to the Launch Package, which is being offered to the earliest buyers of the Performance trim. For the Premium and Standard trims, some of these colors will be available as paid upgrades, while others will be unavailable entirely. Here’s a full breakdown of color availability by trim:
Color
R2 Performance
R2 Premium
R2 Standard
Catalina Cove
✅
✅
❌
Esker Silver
✅
✅
✅
Half Moon Grey
✅
✅
✅
Midnight
✅
✅
✅
Glacier White
✅
✅
✅
Borealis
✅
❌
❌
Launch Green
✅
❌
❌
Forest Green
✅
✅
✅
The R2 is clearly designed to look just as good in the city as it does on a remote trail. By mixing its classic R1 colors with three new, R2-exclusive options, Rivian has created a lineup that highlights the vehicle’s more compact and agile proportions.
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Rivian has reached a massive milestone in its journey toward becoming a mainstream automaker. Despite significant storm damage that recently impacted its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, the company has officially kicked off production of its highly anticipated R2 midsize SUV.
The news was confirmed by CEO RJ Scaringe during an interview with Bloomberg Tech on Wednesday. A video of the very first customer unit rolling off the assembly line has already surfaced online, giving reservation holders their first real look at the mass-production version of the vehicle.
The first wave of vehicles leaving the factory consists of the top-of-the-line Performance variant. Priced at $57,990, the R2 Performance is a dual-motor AWD beast that packs 656 hp and can sprint from 0–60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. It features a semi-active suspension and Rivian’s signature "Drop Glass" rear window, which rolls completely into the liftgate to make hauling long items like surfboards a breeze.
Rivian Wave
Rivian estimates this Performance trim will offer an EPA range of around 330 miles per charge. Reservation holders who secure their spot in the first wave of orders will also receive an exclusive "Launch Package." The first deliveries are slated to begin in late Spring 2026, although it remains to be seen if the recent storm damage will cause a slight delay in the final handover to customers. Until now, Rivian had only been producing a small number of R2 units for executives and internal testing, so the start of mass production at this point is a good sign.
Ramping Up for a Busy 2027
The production start comes at a perfect time for Rivian, which is riding a wave of momentum after beating its Q1 delivery estimates. Following the Performance Launch Package, Rivian plans to debut a Premium trim later this year. The more affordable options — the Standard Long Range and the "mythical" $45,000 Standard trim — are expected to follow in 2027.
To ensure this ramp goes smoothly, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough recently noted that the company will start inviting customers to configure their vehicles in June. This window will give the company much better visibility into actual demand, with Rivian’s guidance targeting 22,000-23,000 R2 deliveries this year. For those who want to see the car in person before committing, Rivian is currently hosting Block Party viewing events across the U.S. as production continues to accelerate.
The Path to Profitability
The R2 is more than just a new car for Rivian; it is the foundation of the company’s plan to reach profitability by the end of 2026. By utilizing simplified manufacturing techniques — like a suspension system that costs 72% less to build than the one in the R1 — Rivian expects the R2 to cost less than half of what its predecessor did to manufacture.
This production start is a load-bearing moment for Rivian’s next few years. It ties directly into the company’s new Autonomy+ software package and its major investment deal with Uber for R2 robotaxis. While there are still hurdles to overcome with the factory repairs and supplier logistics, seeing the first customer R2s move down the line is a huge win for the Illinois team.
Rivian’s momentum toward its most important launch ever has hit a major roadblock. Just as the company was ramping up production for the highly anticipated R2 midsize SUV, a severe storm system tore through Normal, Illinois, leaving significant damage at the manufacturing facility.
The news first broke on Reddit, where images appeared to show a caved-in roof at "Building 2" — the specific area of the plant dedicated to the R2 line. While the Midwest is no stranger to spring storms, the timing for Rivian couldn't be worse, as the facility was winding up for mass-market deliveries.
The R2 Launch Timeline at Risk
The R2 is fundamentally the "make or break" vehicle for Rivian. Before the storm hit, the company was on track to begin deliveries of the Performance Launch Package later this spring. Following that, a Premium trim was slated for late 2026, with the Standard Long Range and the "mythical" $45,000 Standard variant expected to follow in 2027.
This setback is especially painful because Rivian had recently beaten its Q1 delivery estimates, showing real operational strength. Now, however, it remains unknown exactly how much damage the storm caused or how it will shift the production calendar. Even if Rivian can shuffle its assembly processes to spare spaces elsewhere in the massive Normal facility, a caved-in roof suggests structural and equipment issues that can’t be fixed overnight.
Assessing the Potential Damage
While we wait for an official "all clear" from Rivian, the physical risks to a high-tech factory after a roof collapse are numerous. Beyond the obvious structural integrity questions, there is the threat of water damage to sensitive robotics and the risk of exposed electrical or gas lines.
Reddit: /u/QuickChicken2000
For a line that relies on advanced specifications and precise tuning, any moisture in the machinery can lead to long-term reliability problems if not addressed perfectly. It is a waiting game now to see if the Performance units scheduled for this spring will actually make it to customers' driveways on time.
A Momentary Pause in Progress
Rivian has proven itself to be resilient in the past, but the R2 is a high-volume play that requires every part of the factory to work in lockstep. This storm has introduced a new layer of execution risk just as the company was entering its most critical growth phase.
Whether this is a minor speed bump or a major delay will depend on what the inspectors find once they can safely enter Building 2. For the thousands of reservation holders waiting for their R2, all eyes are now on Normal, Illinois, as the company works to get its "Future of Adventure" back on the assembly line.
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