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Rivian R1T gets glowing review after first drive: “the most remarkable pickup”

Credit: Motor Trend

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The Rivian R1T recently received a glowing review, thanks to its apparent seamless combination of bleeding-edge technology and classic pickup truck capabilities. The review, which was published by automotive news outlet MotorTrend, may very well be the first of many positive responses that the R1T would receive when it begins customer deliveries later this month. 

 The Rivian R1T was unveiled in late 2018 with an estimated 2020 production date. Similar to other automakers, however, Rivian was hit by the pandemic last year and this year’s ongoing chip shortage and supply chain issues. These challenges ended up delaying Rivian’s R1T deliveries to this month, September 2021. But if the vehicle’s first drive review is any indication, it appears that the wait is definitely worth it for the all-electric pickup truck. 

The publication entered that the Rivian R1T’s killer features are its powertrain and suspension setup. With four electric motors and height-adjustable air suspension, the R1T is both quick on the pavement and capable off-road. By having one motor for each of its wheels, the R1T offers real-time torque vectoring as well, allowing the vehicle to deliver power exactly where it’s needed. 

Rivian’s drive modes represent the best that the company’s torque vectoring capabilities could offer. The R1T features several drive modes, such as “All-Purpose,” which is both swift and sure-footed, “Conserve,” which maximizes efficiency by turning the vehicle into a front-wheel drive pickup truck, and “Sport,” which strangely makes the R1T handle and behave like a sports car. Just like other premium electric vehicles, the R1T is very quick and very smooth on the road. 

But inasmuch as the Rivian R1T is capable on paved roads, the all-electric pickup truck truly shines when the vehicle goes off-road. MotorTrend noted that the R1T could rival a Jeep Wrangler at times, as it is capable of traversing obstacles that may give its internal combustion-powered peers a difficult time. The fact that the R1T’s ground clearance ranges from 7.9 inches to a whopping 14.4 inches is impressive, and it allows the vehicle to take on even the most unforgiving terrains. 

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The glowing review of the R1T continues to its storage spaces, which are very generous in the vehicle. However, the publication did highlight that the R1T is not perfect, as its infotainment system’s user interface needs improvement. The R1T’s rear seats are also best for passengers who are not very tall, as their upright backseat and firm seats seem designed more for utility than comfort. Legroom, however, is generous. 

The Rivian R1T is an adventure truck that is made for people who love the outdoors, and ultimately, this is perhaps the vehicle’s greatest asset. Rivian is pretty much staffed by people who live and breathe adventure, after all, particularly its CEO, RJ Scaringe. Based on what MotorTrend has stated about the vehicle so far, it appears that the R1T, in more ways than one, is the perfect adventure pickup created for the outdoors by people who also love the outdoors. And that in itself is a pretty darn good balance to have. 

Watch MotorTrend‘s first drive of the Rivian R1T in the video below. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with account tips. Just send a message to tips@teslarati.com to give us a heads up. 

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla ships out update that brings massive change to two big features

“This change only updates the name of certain features and text in your vehicle,” the company wrote in Release Notes for the update, “and does not change the way your features behave.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has shipped out an update for its vehicles that was caused specifically by a California lawsuit that threatened the company’s ability to sell cars because of how it named its driver assistance suite.

Tesla shipped out Software Update 2026.2.9 starting last week; we received it already, and it only brings a few minor changes, mostly related to how things are referenced.

“This change only updates the name of certain features and text in your vehicle,” the company wrote in Release Notes for the update, “and does not change the way your features behave.”

The following changes came to Tesla vehicles in the update:

  • Navigate on Autopilot has now been renamed to Navigate on Autosteer
  • FSD Computer has been renamed to AI Computer

Tesla faced a 30-day sales suspension in California after the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles stated the company had to come into compliance regarding the marketing of its automated driving features.

The agency confirmed on February 18 that it had taken a “corrective action” to resolve the issue. That corrective action was renaming certain parts of its ADAS.

Tesla discontinued its standalone Autopilot offering in January and ramped up the marketing of Full Self-Driving Supervised. Tesla had said on X that the issue with naming “was a ‘consumer protection’ order about the use of the term ‘Autopilot’ in a case where not one single customer came forward to say there’s a problem.”

It is now compliant with the wishes of the California DMV, and we’re all dealing with it now.

This was the first primary dispute over the terminology of Full Self-Driving, but it has undergone some scrutiny at the federal level, as some government officials have claimed the suite has “deceptive” names. Previous Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was one of those federal-level employees who had an issue with the names “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving.”

Tesla sued the California DMV over the ruling last week.

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Tesla workers push back against Giga Berlin unionization

“IG Metall did not succeed in Giga Berlin‘s works council election earlier today. The union share was reduced from nearly 40% in 2024 to 31% in 2026! This is a clear message by the Giga Berlin team towards an independent co-determination! The list called Giga United, led by the current chairwoman, Michaela Schmitz, received the most votes with more than 40%! Good news for Giga Berlin!”

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Tesla workers pushed back against unionization efforts at Gigafactory Berlin, and over the past few years, there has been a dramatic decrease in interest to unionize at the German plant.

Gigafactory Berlin Plant Manager André Thierig announced on Wednesday that IG Metall, the European union group, saw its share reduce from 40 to 31 percent in 2026 as employees eligible to vote on the issue. Instead, the Giga Berlin team, known as Giga United, received the most votes with more than 40 percent.

Thierig gave specific details in a post on X:

“IG Metall did not succeed in Giga Berlin‘s works council election earlier today. The union share was reduced from nearly 40% in 2024 to 31% in 2026! This is a clear message by the Giga Berlin team towards an independent co-determination! The list called Giga United, led by the current chairwoman, Michaela Schmitz, received the most votes with more than 40%! Good news for Giga Berlin!”

There were over 10,700 total employees who were eligible to vote, with 87 percent of them turning out to cast what they wanted. There were three key outcomes: Giga United, IG Metall, and other notable groups, with the most popular being the Polish Initiative.

The 37-seat council remains dominated by non-unionized representatives, preserving Giga Berlin as Germany’s only major auto plant without a collective bargaining agreement.

Thierig and Tesla framed the outcome as employee support for an “independent, flexible, and unbureaucratic” future, enabling acceleration on projects like potential expansions or new models. IG Metall expressed disappointment, accusing management of intimidation tactics and an “unfair” campaign.

The first election of this nature happened back in 2022. In 2024, IG Metall emerged as the largest single faction with 39.4 percent, but non-union lists coalesced for a majority.

But this year was different. There was some extra tension at Giga Berlin this year, as just two weeks ago, an IG Metall rep was accused by Tesla of secretly recording a council meeting. The group countersued for defamation.

Tesla Giga Berlin plant manager faces defamation probe after IG Metall union complaint

This result from the 2026 vote reinforced Tesla’s model of direct employee-management alignment over traditional German union structures, amid ongoing debates about working conditions. IG Metall views it as a setback but continues advocacy. Tesla sees it as validation of its approach in a competitive EV market.

This outcome may influence future labor dynamics at Giga Berlin, including any revival of expansion plans or product lines, which Musk has talked about recently.

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SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell details xAI power pledge at White House event

The commitment was announced during an event with United States President Donald Trump.

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Credit: xAI

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell stated that xAI will develop 1.2 gigawatts of power at its Memphis-area AI supercomputer site as part of the White House’s new “Ratepayer Protection Pledge.” 

The commitment was announced during an event with United States President Donald Trump.

During the White House event, Shotwell stated that xAI’s AI data center near Memphis would include a major energy installation designed to support the facility’s power needs.

“As you know, xAI builds huge supercomputers and data centers and we build them fast. Currently, we’re building one on the Tennessee-Mississippi state line. As part of today’s commitment, we will take extensive additional steps to continue to reduce the costs of electricity for our neighbors… 

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“xAI will therefore commit to develop 1.2 GW of power as our supercomputer’s primary power source. That will be for every additional data center as well. We will expand what is already the largest global Megapack power installation in the world,” Shotwell said.

She added that the system would provide significant backup power capacity.

“The installation will provide enough backup power to power the city of Memphis, and more than sufficient energy to power the town of Southaven, Mississippi where the data center resides. We will build new substations and invest in electrical infrastructure to provide stability to the area’s grid.”

Shotwell also noted that xAI will be supporting the area’s water supply as well. 

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“We haven’t talked about it yet, but this is actually quite important. We will build state-of-the-art water recycling plants that will protect approximately 4.7 billion gallons of water from the Memphis aquifer each year. And we will employ thousands of American workers from around the city of Memphis on both sides of the TN-MS border,” she noted. 

The Ratepayer Protection Pledge was introduced as part of the federal government’s effort to address concerns about rising electricity costs tied to large AI data centers, as noted in an Insider report. Under the agreement, companies developing major AI infrastructure projects committed to covering their own power generation needs and avoiding additional costs for local ratepayers.

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