Rivian has officially confirmed that the long-awaited Gen 2 R1 Quad Motor models will launch on July 8.
The initial release will be offered as a Launch Edition, which typically includes exclusive features or early access configurations. Rivian hasn’t provided full details yet on what differentiates the Launch Edition from future trims, but we expect more info as the reveal date approaches.
While the company hasn’t released full specs yet, Rivian did share a short teaser clip across social media hinting at something big: a “kick turn” feature coming to the Quad. While not quite an official confirmation, the video makes it pretty clear Rivian is reviving the spirit of its previously canceled “Tank Turn” feature.
If you’ve been following Rivian for a while, you’ll remember Tank Turn was a much-hyped capability shown in early prototypes of the original R1T. It used the independent torque vectoring of the four motors to spin the truck in place, like a tank. That feature was eventually shelved, with Rivian citing concerns over real-world use cases and trail preservation.
The new “kick turn” appears to be a reimagined version of that idea, possibly designed to help the vehicle pivot more naturally on tight trails or rugged terrain without tearing up the ground. Whether it’s a partial rotation or a full 360-degree spin remains to be seen.
Stay tuned to RivianTrackr as we get closer to July 8. We’ll be covering the Gen 2 Quad launch in full, including all the performance numbers, features, and how this new Quad compares to the current Tri and Dual-Motor lineup.
Looks like we are getting the rear wheel steer. I wonder if this means 800V isn’t too far away.
https://riviantrackr.com/news/nacs-gen-2-quad-and-more-whats-coming-to-the-2026-rivian-r1t-and-r1s/
The rear wheels do not articulate in that vid, absolutely nothing to do with the voltage 🙃
Who mentioned voltage?