Rivian R1T

[mommucked]

I just heard about Rivian and searched some. I read future models will have autonomous abilities that could drive itself to pick you up after hiking to another trailhead. I would imagine it could also drive to a pickup point downstream for kayak/canoe trips.That would be cool. I wonder if they will be able to be lifted and if they might make a cheaper, bare bones utility/work truck?

 

[SSWaters]

I'm with you, lifted with 35's or so? I wonder how actually waterproof it is? Drive it through a creek and it's done? Motors at wheels or some kind of portal setup? Or just an electric motor hooked to a dana 60/70 axle like you see on some lifts and aircraft tugs?

 

[Fabrik8]

Rivian CEO talks R1T and R1S battery packs, drivetrains and suspension

This is a fairly common approach to modular EV design, with the "skateboard" packaging. It's also a fairly common approach to the drivetrain, with motors connected to the wheels by shafts. The big benefit is less unsprung weight at the wheel, and easier packaging. You're really just substituting a motor/inverter unit for a engine and tranmission, and keeping the same hub/upright/axle concept.
Just like all cars, it's a balance of cost, vehicle dynamics, and assembly/manufacturing considerations.

With that drivetrain, you would likely have the same types of issues lifting it as with any IFS/multilink setup based on suspension geometry and axle joint angles.