New Models
New Models

Rivian R1T pick-up, R1S SUV, and Amazon delivery van spied in New Zealand as first deliveries near

The upcoming electric off-roaders have appeared in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.


The electric Rivian R1T pick-up truck and R1S SUV have been spotted in New Zealand, presumably for a final spate of cold weather testing before customer deliveries begins later this year.

The images – shared to Reddit and Twitter by Rob Dickinson – also appear to show an example of the upcoming Amazon delivery van (bottom of story), which is underpinned by Rivian’s modular electric vehicle platform and has already been rolled out in the US.

The Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground – located near Cardrona, on New Zealand’s South Island – is a popular testing site for manufacturers as temperatures increase across North America and Europe.

Based on a shared platform, the R1T and R1S electric vehicles will produce “up to” 550kW/1124Nm from a dual-motor layout. Rivian claims that’s enough to launch the vehicles from 0-100km/h in a supercar-rivalling three seconds.

Energy is drawn from a 180kWh battery, allowing for an estimated range of 640km.

Pricing in the US will start from US$70,000 (AU$92,000) for the pick-up and US$67,500 (AU$90,000) for the SUV, with the first customer deliveries promised by late July and production ramping up further throughout 2021. When – if ever – the first Australian examples will arrive is yet to be confirmed.


William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

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