Rivian Launches “RAD” Adventure Department to Push Limits

Rivian has officially launched its Rivian Adventure Department, or RAD, formalizing the internal team responsible for pushing its vehicles to the edge in extreme environments and translating those lessons into production features.

The move builds on years of high-profile testing and competition, from desert rallies to mountain record attempts, that have shaped the evolution of Rivian’s R1 platform.

From extreme testing to production features

Rivian traces the roots of RAD back to early prototype testing during the filming of Long Way Up, when two R1T prototypes were driven from South America to Los Angeles. That experience, the company says, reinforced the value of pushing vehicles into demanding real-world conditions.

Since then, Rivian vehicles have competed in the Rebelle Rally, where the R1T became the first EV to win the longest off-road rally in the United States in 2023. The company later set and then reset the production electric truck record at Pikes Peak in 2023 and 2024, according to a Rivian Stories post.

“RAD represents the living, breathing expression of the passion that defines Rivian,” said Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer. “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.”

Rivian says insights from those extreme events directly informed software and performance tuning. Features such as Desert Rally mode were derived from Rebelle data, while lessons from Pikes Peak helped shape real-time tuning capabilities.

RAD Tuner and next stop: ice racing

One outcome of that development work is RAD Tuner, a system available to Gen 2 Quad owners that allows real-time adjustments to power output, torque bias, stability control and regenerative braking. Presets like Desert Rally and Hill Climb are based on real-world competition data.

“RAD is where we maximize the capability of our vehicles,” said Luke Lynch, Chief Engineer, R1. “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.”

RAD will make its official public debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana, where Rivian plans to compete with a new Quad R1S. The winter motorsport festival combines racing on snow and ice with modern and vintage performance vehicles.

With RAD now formalized, Rivian is positioning extreme testing not as marketing spectacle, but as an extension of its product development strategy.

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