While the R3 was available in a three drivetrain configuration and with a ground clearance and wheels made mostly for street use, the R3X looked more like a rally car for the masses.
With the R3X, Rivian tried to attract customers who loved to drive fast on gravel roads. It looked like it was built for rally stages, not for paved roads. It carried over many parts from the R3 but was styled to look like a vehicle built for adventure. It was like the hot crossover of the family that aimed at younger generations. Furthermore, it was more emotional and less practical than the mid-size SUV R2, albeit it shared some components that were unavailable for the R3.
From its front, the R3X featured the same design language used by Rivian for its entire range. The automaker installed a horizontal LED lightbar interrupted by the vertical headlights and their oval-shaped daytime running lights. Lower, integrated into the bumper, the automaker placed an air intake that cooled the vehicle’s electronics and flanked it with red towing points.
The R3X’s profile revealed a slightly higher ground clearance than its R3 stablemate. It sat on a set of 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain tires. The wheel arches were adorned by black plastic moldings. Furthermore, to create the illusion of higher ground clearance, the automaker placed black side sills for the vehicle. The greenhouse resembled the same shape as the one from the well-known Lancia Delta Integrale from the ‘80s that was famous on rally stages. Furthermore, the automaker installed red door mirror caps that created an even sportier appearance for the R3X. Finally, at the back, the raked-forward tailgate was adorned by a roof spoiler on its upper side. At the same time, the lower area featured a recessed horizontal taillight stretched from side to side, and underneath it, the illuminated Rivian lettering.
Inside, the automaker installed a long and flat dashboard where the touchscreen for the infotainment system was placed in the middle. In front of the driver was a smaller-sized display for the instrument panel. The three-spoke steering wheel featured two roller wheels with haptic feedback that helped the driver control the infotainment unit and select what information it needed on the instrument panel. Rivian was criticized when it introduced the R1S/R1T for not having a glove box. For the R2, R3, and R3X, it installed two of them. One was fronting the passenger, and the other was underneath the infotainment touchscreen. Thanks to the two-tone upholstery made from recycled materials, the car had a sporty look. In the back, the automaker installed a split-folding (40/20/40) bench seat where three adult-sized passengers could sit. All the seats, including the one for the driver, could be folded flat. As a result, the car could be converted into a reliable tent but with a panoramic glass roof.
Under its skin, the R3X featured a three-motor setup. One drove the front wheels, and the other two sent their power to the rear axle. As a result, the car could sprint from naught to sixty miles per hour (0-97 kph) in less than three seconds.
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