Rivian announces new offroad-focused ‘California Dune Edition’ R1

Rivian has announced a new “California Dune Edition” version of its new Tri-Motor R1, in a special color and with an options package focused on off-road performance.

Last week, Rivian sent out a teaser via email and social media stating that “a mirage takes shape Feb 19.” The photos included several views of sand dunes and a black-and-white photo of a Rivian vehicle, leading many to surmise that part of the announcement would involve a new color.

It looks like those estimates were right, as there is a new color today – but there’s more.

The California Dune Edition, available in limited numbers, not only adds new exterior and interior colors which Rivian says are “inspired by the mesmerizing landscapes of California’s desert dunes,” but includes a whole different option set, focused more on off-roading than on flashiness and luxury.

In service of this focus towards off-roading, the California Dune Edition drops Rivian’s new “Ascend” interior – otherwise included on all Tri-Motor R1s – for its more rugged, less-luxe “Adventure” interior. So the California Dune edition will miss out on some of the new Ascend features like passenger lumbar adjustment, electrochromic roof and so on.

In exchange for this, it comes with a number of other features included standard:

• California Dune interior badging
• Darkout Package
• All-Terrain Package
• Sound + Vision Package
• Powered Tonneau Cover (R1T)
• 1 pair of Dark Cargo Crossbars
• MAXTRAX Recovery Boards 
• MAXTRAX Recovery Board Mount

While the Rivian R1 is already no slouch when it comes to off-roading performance, there are some improvements to be had as is the case with most vehicles you buy off the lot.

So the California Dune Edition includes Rivian’s all-terrain package, which gives smaller wheels (for more tire sidewall and better off-road performance), a spare tire, and a reinforced underbody shield. The wheels come in either dark or in a lighter color matching the California Dune exterior color.

It also includes a third party accessory – MAXTRAX recovery boards, mounted on the included roof cargo rack. These recovery boards are used to help get a car out when it’s stuck in deep sands.

All of this comes at the same base price as the regular R1 Tri-Motor – $99,900 for the R1T, and $105,900 for the R1S – trading the Ascend interior for a bunch of included off-road packages.

The California Dune Edition is available now at Rivian.com, and will be displayed live at SXSW festival in Austin, Texas from March 7-15 at Rivian’s Electric Roadhouse. Or you can check Rivian’s website to see if or when it might come to a city near you.

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