With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at some spooky ideas to get the best out of your Rivian for Witchin’ Night!
We’re going to dive into some Rivian owner-created spooky inspirations down below, but before that, let’s take a look at what Rivian is delivering soon with its upcoming Halloween Update!
Halloween Mode
Every year, Rivian delivers a Halloween-themed update to its vehicles, and this year isn’t going to be any different. Actually – it is! Rather than one thematic flavor, Rivian is delivering at least two this year!
While it's less spooky than bats, Knight Rider ought to send a shiver up some criminals' spines as it watches over your house for Halloween. Maybe Gear Guard Garry will moonlight as K.I.T.T.?
Next up, Rivian also included another classic – we’re going Back to The Future! This one is super cool, and we’re sure someone is going to have their Rivian equipped with a Flux Capacitor this coming Halloween. Just make sure you get all 1.21 gigawatts of electricity you need! Gear Guard Garry will likely be rockin’ that Doc Brown outfit, otherwise he’ll be dressed up as Marty McFly.
Rivian always has plenty of goodies with their yearly Halloween Mode that comes in October. Be sure to check out what Rivian included in the 2022 and 2023 versions of Halloween Mode.
Owner Inspirations
Most of these creations are from the Rivian community forums – but we’re going to highlight our favorites.
Up first is Killer95Stang, with a vampiric Rivian and tentacles!
That's going to look spooky at night!
Killer95Stang
Next up, DTown3011 made an absolutely spectacular display with a skeleton and spooky mist! The cobwebs and spiderwebs over the headlights really complete the look.
The mist really completes the ensemble.
DTown3011
Over on Reddit, user whoshartedmypants put together an ECTO-R1 on photoshop to go ghostbusting with. Maybe someone will put it together in real life?
While its not real, maybe it could be this year?
whoshartedmypants
Another Reddit user, Needs_More_Boost, put this cool display together. The next step is to fill that frunk with candy! Or so we say, but user ejb8705 on Reddit did just that and lit them up, too!
Super cool with the cutouts for the lights!
Needs_More_Boost
Spooky! Lots of candy for the frunk or treaters too!
ejb8705
And last, but not least, back from the Rivian forums is user PeterSK, with a truly horrifying hand hanging out of the mid-gate of their R1S.
This one will make you look twice when you stop behind them.
PeterSK
All of these are inspiring and we’re looking forward to what the community comes up with this year, especially with the new light bar effects. If you’ve put something cool together, give us a tag on social media. We look forward to your spooky Halloween Rivian displays!
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Rivian is taking its marketing strategy to the virtual world. Fresh off the reveal of Rivian’s first midsize SUV, new leaks suggest the R2 is headed to both Fortnite and Rocket League. The move follows a path similar to Tesla, which brought the Cybertruck to both Epic Games-owned titles back in 2024 to massive fanfare.
According to X users @BackersGamesF and @fortnitecarguy, the R2 assets have been discovered within the encrypted game files for Fortnite. The leaked 3D models show the R2 sitting alongside another upcoming vehicle, looking ready for the island's terrain. Meanwhile, @RLGameNews reports that the R2 is also slated for a Rocket League debut, meaning players will soon be able to use the electric SUV to score goals in the arena.
While there is no official word yet on the launch date or the specific in-game events, this digital debut is a smart play for Rivian. By putting the R2 in front of millions of gamers, the company can build hype and familiarize a younger, tech-savvy audience with the brand. It is an important move, especially since the R2 is more of a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y than a niche product like the Cybertruck.
@fortnitecarguy
Rivian R2 Specs
The R2 is critical for Rivian’s future, as the company is banking on this mass-market vehicle to reach profitability by the end of 2026. Rivian recently detailed a multi-trim lineup for the SUV, designed to hit several different price points.
The $57,990 R2 Performance will be the first to reach customers. This dual-motor AWD flagship is slated for delivery in late Spring 2026, with early orders shipping with a special Launch Package. It features a blistering 3.6-second 0–60 mph time and the signature "Drop Glass" rear window. Following the Performance trim, Rivian will release the $53,990 Premium variant in late 2026 and the $48,490 Standard Long Range in early 2027.
The most anticipated version remains the $45,000 base Standard trim, which is expected to launch in late 2027. This model will likely be the volume seller that Rivian needs to compete globally with established EV leaders.
Gaming as a Marketing Powerhouse
Bringing a real-world car into a game like Fortnite isn't just a gimmick; it’s a way to embed the brand into pop culture. When players spend hours driving — or flying — the R2 in their favorite games, it builds a level of brand recognition that traditional TV commercials just can't match.
For a company like Rivian that doesn't spend much on traditional advertising, these digital partnerships are a high-impact way to reach its target demographic. As we wait for the official announcement from Epic Games, one thing is certain: the R2 is set to become a digital star long before the first consumer units hit the driveway.
Audi is officially joining the Rivian software fold. The German automaker has confirmed that it will begin using the electronic architecture developed through the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture in its vehicles starting in 2028.
According to a recent report from SmartDroid, the move marks a major turning point for Audi’s electric lineup. While the brand has performed well with the A6 and Q6 e-tron, the switch to "RV Tech" architecture — the name of the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen — will allow for true "software-defined vehicles." The first model to feature this tech is expected to be the new Audi A4 e-tron.
The $5.8 Billion Joint Venture
This expansion into Audi is the direct result of the massive partnership first announced in June 2024. Volkswagen originally pledged $5 billion to Rivian, a figure that was later upped to $5.8 billion.
The goal was simple: Volkswagen gets access to Rivian’s world-class zonal control technology and software, while Rivian gets a massive cash infusion and the scale of a global automotive giant. The partnership, co-headed by Rivian’s Wassym Bensaid and VW’s Carsten Helbing, focuses on creating a software and electronics backbone that can support everything from subcompact cars like the upcoming VW ID.1 to premium luxury SUVs.
By building software in-house, Rivian has created a platform that allows for "over-the-air" updates to almost every digital component — including the drivetrain, steering, and suspension. It is a level of vertical integration that Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has defended since 2018, even when his own board questioned if it was necessary.
Rivian has already received $3.3 billion of the joint venture’s $5.8 billion value so far. Volkswagen is set to pay out another $2 billion to Rivian this year, with the remaining $500 million expected in 2027.
The R2 Launch and Future Licensing
The R2 platform is the "bootstrap" for this entire operation. Rivian is currently finalizing the rollout of its long-anticipated R2 midsize SUV, which is expected to start reaching customers by the end of spring. The company is banking on the R2 to carry it toward profitability.
Rivian Wave
Rivian plans to roll out the R2 in four distinct phases:
R2 Performance ($57,990): Late Spring 2026
R2 Premium ($53,990): Late 2026
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Early 2027
R2 Standard ($45,000): Late 2027
While some critics have questioned the partnership due to the difficulty of integrating EV-only software into VW's remaining combustion-engine fleet, Scaringe remains confident. During a recent interview at SXSW with Fast Company’s Brendan Vaughan, he dismissed the idea of a Volkswagen takeover, stating, “That’s not the outcome we were looking for.” Instead, he sees the VW deal as the first of many licensing agreements where Rivian provides the "digital backbone" for the entire auto industry.
With Audi now locked in for 2028, it’s clear that Rivian’s tech is no longer just for "adventure" vehicles — it's becoming the standard for the next generation of German luxury. It might not be long before Porsche, another Volkswagen brand, follows suit, or Rivian finds itself in a similar arrangement with an automotive brand outside the VW Group entirely.
