Trucks and agility aren’t typically synonymous. While exceptions like the Ford Lightning and Toyota Tacoma X-Runner exist, the modern truck landscape often prioritizes utility over outright performance. But how does the Rivian R1T Performance Dual-Motor challenge this stereotype? Given its “Performance” moniker, expectations are high. Let’s delve into the data to see how this electric truck handles stopping and turning, and what it reveals about the broader performance spectrum, including aspects relevant to the much-discussed 0-60 mph acceleration.
Braking Performance: Surpassing Expectations for a Truck
The Rivian R1T Performance showcases impressive braking capabilities for its class, achieving a 60-0 mph stopping distance of 126 feet. This figure is notable, especially when considering its substantial 6,760-pound weight. As noted in initial tests, “There are small sedans that take a longer distance to stop from 60 than this 6,760-pound electric truck — I’m looking at you, Volkswagen Jetta.” This highlights the R1T’s braking system as significantly more responsive and communicative than those found in many traditional trucks. The Sport mode and firm suspension setting further minimize nosedive during hard braking, enhancing stability and driver confidence.
However, it’s crucial to note a slight variation in braking performance compared to the earlier Rivian R1T Launch Edition. The Launch Edition, despite being heavier at 7,148 pounds, achieved a shorter 117-foot stopping distance in previous tests on the same surface. The key differentiator appears to be tire construction. While both models utilize Pirelli tires of the same size and brand, the R1T Performance’s Pirelli Scorpion Zero Elect tires prioritize load management and efficiency over ultimate grip, impacting braking performance compared to the Launch Edition’s tire model. This subtle shift in tire focus underscores how even minor component choices can influence vehicle dynamics and potentially affect metrics across the performance spectrum, including the highly sought-after 0-60 mph times, though not directly tested in this braking analysis.
Handling Dynamics: Defying Truck Norms on the Skidpad
Moving to handling, the Rivian R1T Performance continues to challenge truck conventions. It recorded 0.85 g on the skidpad, a figure that places it in a performance bracket rarely seen among trucks. “Like the R1T’s acceleration, the way it just goes around the skidpad, casually outhandling pretty much every other truck (except for that pesky R1T Launch Edition) is almost a non-event.” The R1T’s handling prowess is attributed to its advanced engineering, making demanding maneuvers feel surprisingly effortless.
The steering system also contributes positively to the driving experience. The R1T features a steering wheel with a relatively slim rim by modern standards and a quicker steering rack than typical trucks. This combination translates to a more responsive feel during initial turn-in, enhancing agility. Even in the All-Purpose drive mode, the stability control system effectively manages body roll and intervenes minimally, allowing for confident cornering.
Switching to Sport mode, lowering the ride height, and disabling ESC allows drivers to explore the R1T’s handling limits further. While understeer remains the primary characteristic at the edge of grip, the truck maintains a stable and secure feel. The potential for even greater handling performance is evident, with suggestions that “Real torque vectoring (the kind you can only get with four motors) and better tires would make the R1T almost surreal.” This hints at future possibilities for even more dynamic iterations of the Rivian platform, potentially impacting not just handling but also acceleration metrics like 0-60 mph.
Tire Tech Deep Dive: Pirelli Scorpion Zero Elect HL
The tires on the Rivian R1T Performance, Pirelli Scorpion Zero Elect in 275/50R22 size with a 500 treadwear rating, play a crucial role in understanding its performance characteristics. Classified as all-season tires and HL (High Load) rated, these tires are specifically designed for the demands of heavy electric vehicles. The HL rating is a relatively new standard, developed to accommodate the increased weight of EVs without resorting to excessively high tire pressures that can compromise ride comfort and increase noise.
These tires prioritize low rolling resistance for improved energy efficiency and range, along with robust construction to manage heavy loads. However, this design focus means that outright performance, such as maximum grip for braking and cornering, takes a secondary role compared to tires optimized purely for performance. This trade-off is evident when comparing the R1T Performance to the Launch Edition, which, despite being heavier, achieved slightly better braking and skidpad results due to different tire models. The tire choice directly impacts various performance aspects, subtly influencing even metrics like 0-60 mph through traction and rolling resistance.
For comparison, the Rivian R1T Launch Edition utilized Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season tires in 275/55R21 size, featuring a 600 treadwear rating and lacking the HL designation. This difference in tire specification highlights the nuanced impact of tire technology on vehicle performance.
| Rivian R1T Launch Edition (Quad-Motor) | Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum | Ford F-150 Raptor R | Rivian R1T Performance Dual-Motor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60-0 mph Braking Distance (feet) | 117 | 127 | 147 | 126 |
| Skidpad (g) | 0.87 | 0.78 | 0.72 | 0.85 |
Range Considerations: Tires and Efficiency
While this analysis focuses on braking and handling, the article briefly touches upon range, an essential factor for EV owners. EPA estimates for the Rivian R1T Performance Dual-Motor vary based on wheel and tire configurations: 307 miles with 20-inch all-terrain tires, 352 miles with 21-inch wheels, and 341 miles with the 22-inch wheels fitted to the test vehicle. This variation underscores the significant influence of tires on driving range. The 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires exhibit higher rolling resistance, reducing range compared to the more streamlined 21-inch and 22-inch options. Conversely, lighter wheel and tire packages, such as the 21-inch setup, can improve efficiency by reducing the energy required to rotate the wheels, potentially even having a marginal effect on 0-60 mph times by reducing rotational inertia.
Conclusion: Rivian R1T Redefines Truck Performance
The Rivian R1T Performance Dual-Motor demonstrably challenges the traditional perception of truck performance. Its braking and handling capabilities surpass expectations for its vehicle category, offering a level of agility and responsiveness rarely found in trucks. While tire choice plays a crucial role in fine-tuning performance characteristics, as seen in the comparison with the Launch Edition, the R1T establishes a new benchmark for electric truck dynamics. Although direct 0-60 mph acceleration figures weren’t the primary focus of this evaluation, the underlying performance attributes discussed – braking, handling, and tire technology – are intrinsically linked to overall vehicle dynamics and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the Rivian R1T’s capabilities in the broader performance landscape. Further in-depth testing, including dedicated 0-60 mph assessments and real-world range evaluations, will continue to reveal the full spectrum of the Rivian R1T Performance’s potential.
