Rivian has announced a new in-house performance division known as RAD, short for Rivian Adventure Department. Made up of a team of designers, engineers, and enthusiasts, RAD aims to push Rivian EVs like the R1S to their limits while developing new performance features Rivian owners can enjoy. It also opens up the door for a lineup of RAD-badged models, much like BMW’s M, Hyundai’s N, or the AMG division from Mercedes.
How The Rivian Adventure Department Began
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The beginnings of RAD started six years ago. At that stage, Rivian hadn’t launched a vehicle yet, but it took two R1T prototypes to the southernmost tip of South America. This trip involved rigorous testing for the electric pickup. Between South America and Los Angeles, the company said that the harder it pushed its vehicles, the more fun the team had. This kicked off a philosophy of saying “yes” to any challenge, be it the Rebelle Rally or Pikes Peak. Rivian has now officially named this department of brave engineers and designers, and that’s how RAD was born.
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“RAD represents the living, breathing expression of the passion that defines Rivian. That impulse to explore, to push limits, and to embrace the adventure is not confined to one team—it is the very DNA of our entire company, from the designers and engineers to our community of owners,” said Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer.
At the Rebelle Rally in 2023, the Rivian team’s experience in deep sand conditions contributed to the refinement of its EVs’ Soft Sand mode. Experiences at Rebelle and Pikes led to the creation of the RAD Tuner tool, whereby Gen 2 Quad owners can create their own drive modes in real-time. Presets like Desert Rally and Hill Climb are tested in the real world, allowing owners to tweak power output, torque bias, and more.
RAD to Debut in Montana
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RAD will make its official debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana. Rivian will use the event to show off the RAD team and its new livery, while also competing in the race with the latest Quad R1S; with a motor at each wheel, this extremely powerful EV produces 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque. In ideal conditions, it can reach 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds.
The livery shown by RAD in new pictures consists of bold striping in orange, red, and white. It’s a preview of what a possible production RAD model could look like if Rivian went in that direction. Given Rivian’s off-road leanings, a future R3 or R2 RAD to compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally would set up one of the hottest EV face-offs.
“The Rivian Adventure Department simply gives an official name and a powerful focus to the transparent, open spirit that drives every vehicle we design and every mile we seek out,” said Hammoud. “It’s a promise to never stop pushing the boundaries of adventure.”
Why RAD Matters for Rivian’s Future
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The new RAD department adds another dimension to Rivian’s rapid growth. After a few years with only expensive, full-size EVs, the EV maker is expanding its reach with more accessible and exciting products. The smaller R2 will launch imminently, and it’ll be followed by the even smaller and cheaper R3, both of which stand to benefit from RAD’s learnings.
Genesis is doing the same with its new Magma division, and more established brands like BMW and Mercedes have been producing performance EVs for several years now. A performance division like RAD positions Rivian as an enthusiast brand—not just another EV startup building generic crossovers.
Related: Rivian’s Cheapest Model: Everything We Know About The R2
