- Rivian’s latest software update for R1 EVs is here, and it brings several improvements.
- All R1S and R1T models get the brand’s Sport Mode, which enables quicker acceleration.
- Launch Mode is also expanding to Gen 1 Quad-Motor and both generations of Dual-Motor Performance models.
Rivian is improving how the R1S and R1T EVs perform, regardless of their age. The California startup’s latest vehicle software update, version 2026.03, adds fresh features to old and new R1 models, and introduces a dedicated Apple Watch app that enables drivers to control their vehicles without having a car key or their smartphones at hand.
The Apple Watch companion app acts as a gateway to the R1S and R1T’s functions, and gives Gen 1 owners the ability to use their smartwatch as a digital key. Gen 2 Rivian owners have proper digital key support, with automatic locking and unlocking based on proximity, but Gen 1 owners don’t. With the new Apple Watch app, though, first-generation Rivian EVs can be locked and unlocked by tapping on the smartwatch’s screen. With the app open in the foreground, the cars can also be put into drive without having to carry a key or an iPhone–as long as the Apple Watch has LTE connectivity, as we previously reported.
Photo by: Rivian
But that’s not all. Sport Mode, which has been restricted to Performance Dual-Motor and Quad-Motor variants, is now being expanded to cover the base Dual-Motor models, too. This includes Gen 1 and Gen 2 models, as well as NMC and LFP battery configurations. According to Rivian, selecting Sport Mode unlocks optimized power delivery and quicker acceleration compared to the regular driving mode. What’s more, all compatible Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles can adjust the ride height to “Standard” when Sport Mode is active. Previously, the car would automatically lower its suspension when Sport Mode was selected.
Then, there’s Launch Mode, which prepares the vehicle for a sprint from a standstill. Until now, Launch Mode has been offered only on the second-generation Quad-Motor R1T and R1S. The latest software update expands the availability of Launch Mode to Gen 1 Quad-Motor models and both generations of the Dual-Motor Performance EVs. To activate Launch Mode, the drivers need to select Sport Mode, press the flag icon, then hold the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
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Source: Rivian
The California company’s flagship models are also getting a lower suspension setting for the Kneel Mode, which automatically lowers the ride height when entering and exiting the car. Rivian has added a “Lower” setting, in addition to “Low,” which lowers the R1T and R1S by about one extra inch on average, depending on the vehicle version and tires.
On the advanced driver assistance systems front, changing drive modes and various vehicle settings will no longer disengage the Highway Assist and Universal Hands-Free advanced driver assistance systems.
Several cold-weather improvements are also being implemented with this latest software update. Rivian added an indicator on the battery icon on the display and in the Energy App to show the driver exactly how much energy is being used to keep the vehicle’s battery warm. A blue shading graphic on the Driver Display and in the mobile app will show up if some range is temporarily unavailable until the battery pack reaches its optimal operating temperature.
The company said it has improved the way the battery warms up during charging, making it more efficient at recovering range and pre-conditioning the pack for peak performance.
