Rivian electric 'rally car' planned as third model in range

Rivian, the US electric-car startup that revealed pickup truck and SUV models at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show (above), is working on a rally-car-like hatchback for its third product.

Speaking to our sister brand Auto Express at the show, company founder Robert Scaringe said “The products we’re working on all speak to the version of adventure where you have a combination of on and off-road capability, and a level of functionality that’s unique and different from other vehicles in its space.

"The third, fourth and fifth vehicles may have different form factors; the third vehicle is smaller in wheelbase than what you see here in LA, but think of it as Rivian’s interpretation of what you would see as a rally car. With a lot of ground clearance.”

California-based Rivian has 600 employees currently, and is in the process of renovating an old Mitsubishi factory in Illinois to put its cars into production from 2020.

In addition to building its own models, Scaringe added, the company is also open to licensing its technology or producing components for other brands. The founder said Rivian was actively discussing the possibility with several established and newcomer car brands.