IRVINE, Calif. (February 27, 2026) – Six years ago, two of the first R1T prototypes went to the southernmost tip of South America to film Long Way Up. Rivian was there to drive, to learn, and to put its vehicles through some of their earliest challenges. And somewhere between the bottom of South America and Los Angeles, something very fundamental became clear: the further the vehicles were pushed, the more fun was had.

That realization started a chain reaction of saying “yes” to extreme adventures. Today, that spirit and that team a name: The Rivian Adventure Department, or, more àpropos, RAD.

Skunkworks, publicly
RAD is a team of Rivian designers, engineers, and adventure enthusiasts who spend their days and nights exploring the limits of what a Rivian can do.

They have one mission: finding the next level of what’s possible with our vehicles, bridging between where we find the extremes and the features that end up in your driveway.

“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. 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. It’s a promise to never stop pushing the boundaries of adventure.”

– Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer

Pushing it further
Winning the Rebelle Rally (and becoming the first EV to win the longest off-road rally in the USA) was just the start in 2023.

“We’ve learned there’s no substitute for real-world experience. Three years ago at Rebelle, when deep sand conditions made for slow going at certain points in the course, our team’s experience was directly informed by our earlier development of Soft Sand mode. We use the real-world as our proving ground, creating and refining features that end up in your Rivian.”

– Lilly Macaruso, Rivian Engineer and Rebelle Rally Winner

Next came Pikes Peak where the production electric truck record was set in 2023—and then beat again in 2024.

“Pikes Peak has no margin for error, and at 14,115 feet, the air gets thin, every bump and switchback was a test of our vehicle’s capability—and the truck stayed planted through every second of it. Breaking the 11-minute barrier in an EV truck isn’t just a record; it’s a statement about the future of performance and breaking the barriers of what’s possible in a Rivian.”

– Gardner Nichols, Sr. Performance Test Engineer and Pikes Peak record-setter

Innovation, Validated by the Wild
What started as a way for Rivian’s engineers to fine-tune driving dynamics at Rebelle or Pikes has evolved into a tool for customers, called RAD Tuner. It allows Gen 2 Quad owners to create their own drive modes in real-time, adjusting power output, torque bias, stability control, and brake regeneration to match the trail or road ahead.

“RAD is where we maximize the capability of our vehicles. Subjecting them to extreme conditions—from the 14,000-foot ascent of Pikes Peak to the barren deserts of the Rebelle Rally. For us, the competition is only one element. Vigorously validating every system, component and algorithm is the other. The greatest outcome of developing the vehicles in these extreme environments is a beautifully well rounded vehicle. The cherry on top is translating those hard-won lessons into features, like the new RAD Tuner, that deliver next-level fun to our owners.”

– Luke Lynch, Chief Engineer, R1

What’s Next?
In the spirit of finding these new extremes, Rivian is heading to the snow, where RAD makes its official debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana. Not only are they showing off this team and our livery, they’ll be competing in the race itself with the new Quad R1S.

The FAT Ice Race is a one-of-a-kind winter motorsport festival that takes place in both Zell am See, Austria and for the first time in 2026, in Big Sky, Montana. This unique event blends historic and modern car culture, design, music, and community with racing on snow and ice, featuring vintage racers, modern performance cars, and even skijoring (skiing towed by a car) for a vibrant, lifestyle-focused automotive spectacle.

Amidst these vintage racers, specialized cars and automotive legends, Rivian is showcasing what the future of extreme adventure looks like—proven on the ice, ready for the world.