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Rivian’s door flashlight uses the same 2170 battery as its car batteries, and that’s cool

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The New York International Auto Show is somewhat local to me (i.e., three hours via driving/train combo), so I was able to conveniently pop in for a bit during their media days last week and have a look around. That said, first on my list of automakers to find was Rivian with the goal of stocking up on plenty of great photos and learning a bit more than what I knew already from writing about their outdoor adventure vehicles.

Brian Gase, Body Engineering Director for the company, was kind enough to answer all my questions once I arrived at Rivian’s booth, and he even showed me the battery for the flashlight inside the R1T and R1S driver doors. It’s the same 2170 cell the company uses for its vehicles’ battery packs that are estimated to achieve about 400 miles of range.

In order to meet a 135 kWh capacity (the size of the R1S on the floor), Rivian’s batteries will contain 7,776 of the 2170 cells. If you include the extra battery in the flashlight, that makes a strong poker hand of quad 7’s (7,777) for total count. Pretty cool, right? (Thanks again, Brian for pointing that out to me.)

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Rivian R1S SUV at New York Auto Show 2019. | Image: Dacia J. Ferris/Teslarati
Rivian R1S SUV at New York Auto Show 2019. | Image: Dacia J. Ferris/Teslarati

Admittedly, I know there are plenty of very thought out features included in Rivian’s truck and SUV designs that should be given as much if not more accolades than the flashlight. For one, there’s the gear tunnel in the R1T that gets plenty of attention. While I was at the show, I overheard someone asking what could be stored in the long storage area behind the passengers that spans the width of the truck.

I thought Rivian’s answer to that was pretty creative, just like the tunnel itself. They had benches made into the shape of the gear tunnel with glass sides, all full with different types of gear one could fit inside. Funny enough, one of them was being used the entire time I was trying to take pictures (annoying, but no big deal and expected), so I came back later when they were all clear of resting show attendees. When I explained this to someone later, it was suggested to me that having a person on the bench was good for size referencing.

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That’s true, actually. You can really see how much stuff can fit in the R1T gear tunnel once there’s a human providing proper perspective.

The gear tunnel in the R1T is both unique and a testament to one of the many advantages provided by battery electric vehicles, meaning there’s plenty of extra space to work with, and Rivian has taken full advantage in their designs.

The cabin of both vehicles is very spacious with plenty of legroom for passengers, storage is available underneath the back seats in the R1T, both frunks have impressive capacity, and there’s even a storage tray under the front seats of the R1S (not sure of the R1T), which I don’t think I’d seen before going to the show. Back at the gear tunnel, there’s another compartment in the door that can hold smaller items (like dog treats). The doors to the gear tunnel can additionally function as seats or stools to help load gear on the roof.

Rivian R1S SUV at New York Auto Show 2019. | Image: Dacia J. Ferris/Teslarati

I was also happy to learn what the Flexible Crossbar System feature was all about. I mean, it’s one thing to read that feature listed on their website, but quite another to see what it does. Essentially, the cargo rack is expandable/collapsable, and it locks into specially designed places on the roof and truck bed. In all, there’s a place to stand while you plug in the easy-to-install luggage rack. Admittedly, I’m a bit lazy about using the roof of my car for road trip luggage space because it’s such a pain, and I know I’m not alone in my sentiments. From the look of it, it seems Rivian’s designers have met a few people like me, too.

My time at the Rivian booth of the New York International Auto Show was enjoyable and productive, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the company develops. Here are a few of my favorite shots of the R1T truck and R1S SUV.

More about the other electric/hybrid vehicles that were at the show coming soon!

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Accidental computer geek, fascinated by most history and the multiplanetary future on its way. Quite keen on the democratization of space. | It's pronounced day-sha, but I answer to almost any variation thereof.

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Elon Musk

X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

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Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

A Near Fall

During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately. 

Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.

X User to the Rescue

It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.

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Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Not Planned, But Welcomed

The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump. 

“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Lifestyle

Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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