Payne: Off road and plugged in aboard the pioneering Rivian R2

Posted by Talbot Payne on June 12, 2026

The 2027 Rivian R2 Launch Edition scaled Utah Olympic Park's mountain with 3.6-second, 0-60 mph acceleration.

The 2027 Rivian R2 Launch Edition scaled Utah Olympic Park’s mountain with 3.6-second, 0-60 mph acceleration.

Henry Payne, The Detroit News

Park City, Utah — The view of snow-dusted, 11,750-foot Mt. Timpanogos from the trails of Wasatch National Park in the Wasatch Mountains is breathtaking. It’s a trail for hardcore, compact off-roaders — Jeep Wranglers, Ford Broncos, Chevy Colorado ZR2s. If you’re into electric vehicles, few dare venture there.

Say hello to the rugged, daring Rivian R2.

Last decade, two startup EV companies wowed us with their automotive innovation. In 2012, Tesla Inc. introduced the lightning-quick Model S and Model X SUVs oozing with tech, style and eyeball-flattening speed. In 2017, Rivian Automotive Inc. introduced off-road doppelgangers — the stylish R1T pickup and R1S SUV with room, vroom and more cargo space than a Norwegian Cruise liner.

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