Rivian just gave its extreme testing culture a name. It’s called the Rivian Adventure Department — RAD.
And it’s more than branding. It’s a performance pipeline from the harshest environments on Earth straight to your driveway.
Where It All Started
Six years ago, Rivian sent early R1T prototypes to the southern tip of South America during Long Way Up. The goal was simple: test everything. Break nothing. Learn fast.
Somewhere between Patagonia and Los Angeles, a pattern emerged. The harder the challenge, the better the vehicles became. And the more fun the team had pushing them.
That mindset never left.
Racing as a Development Tool
In 2023, Rivian made history. The R1T became the first EV to win the Rebelle Rally, the longest off-road rally in the United States. Deep sand. Brutal terrain. Real consequences. Then came Pikes Peak.
Rivian set a production electric truck record in 2023. A year later, it broke its own record. The R1T ran under 11 minutes at 14,115 feet, where thin air punishes both hardware and software.
These moments weren’t marketing plays. They were engineering laboratories.
What RAD Actually Does
RAD functions like a public skunkworks team. Designers, engineers, and adventure specialists test Rivian vehicles in extreme environments. Then they translate those lessons into production improvements.
The core question remains constant: “Should we push this further?” The answer remains yes.
From Rally Stage to Software Update
Extreme testing led to something owners can use immediately: RAD Tuner.
Available for Gen 2 Quad models, RAD Tuner lets drivers adjust torque bias, stability control, regenerative braking, and power delivery in real time. Drivers can fine-tune performance for sand, mountain roads, snow, or pavement.
Desert Rally mode grew from Rebelle data. Hill Climb mode traces back to Pikes Peak development. Engineers validated both under real stress before refining them for customers.
As a result, race-day capability now lives in everyday driving.
Next Stop: Ice
RAD makes its official debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana. Rivian will compete with the new Quad R1S on snow and ice. The objective stays consistent. Test harder. Validate deeper. Improve faster.
RAD represents more than competition. It formalizes Rivian’s belief that extreme adventure creates better vehicles — and better vehicles create more reasons to explore.
