The R2 is actually happening. Omar, a Rivian employee, posted a photo on LinkedIn showing R2 bodies moving through the assembly line in Normal, Illinois, and our sources tell us select Rivian executives took delivery of real production R2s as early as last week and are already driving them around.

Rivian is heading back to Coachella both weekends of the festival, April 10-12 and 17-19, and this time they're bringing the R2 along. If you're going and have been curious about the car, this is a pretty easy way to see it in person before deliveries even start.

Rivian has confirmed that R2 first drives are coming in June at your local Rivian Space or Service Center and yes, I'll finally be getting behind the wheel for the first time too.

Rivian's R2 EPA certification documents are in, and the range numbers actually beat the company's own estimates. The Performance trim with 21-inch All-Seasons hit 335 miles certified, topping Rivian's projected 330. All-Terrains drop it to 314. The Large pack carries 86.8 kWh of usable capacity with 210 kW DC fast charging. Employee deliveries start this month, so real-world impressions aren't far off.

Rivian is taking the R2 on a cross-country Block Party tour starting April 3 in Venice, with stops in seven cities through late May. No demo drives yet, but you can see the colors in person, explore the interior, and hang out with the community.