Rivian will soon allow some R1S and R1T owners to unlock additional power and driving range through over-the-air (OTA) software updates, the company’s head of software, Wassym Bensaid, confirmed.
With the upcoming 2025.06 software update, owners of the refreshed Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive R1S and R1T models equipped with the Large Battery pack will be able to purchase the Performance upgrade directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.
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Per your feedback, Dual Performance upgrade for your Rivian will be available through OTA.
Coming soon with the 2025.06 update. And you can use Rivian Rewards, too! pic.twitter.com/f3C6xO9Bdp
— Wassym Bensaid (@WassymBensaid) February 28, 2025
Next on the roadmap! 😉
— Wassym Bensaid (@WassymBensaid) March 1, 2025
Previously, the Performance pack could only be selected at the time of purchase or when buying an inventory vehicle with the option pre-installed. The upgrade, which costs $5,000, increases output from 533 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque to 665 hp and 829 lb-ft, reducing the 0-60 mph time from 4.5 seconds to 3.4 seconds. It also adds Sport and Soft Sand driving modes.
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In addition to the Performance boost, Rivian plans to introduce a range-extending upgrade for certain models fitted with the Large Battery pack. According to Bensaid, some 2025 R1S and R1T units were initially delivered with software-locked Max Battery packs. While officially labeled as Large packs, these batteries have greater potential capacity that could be unlocked via a future OTA update, allowing customers to access additional range. Rivian has not disclosed pricing or availability for this feature.
The move aligns with Rivian’s approach to optimizing production by simplifying battery configurations. When 2025 R1T and R1S production began, only Standard and Max packs were physically built, with some Max packs software-limited to function as Large packs. This strategy allowed Rivian to streamline manufacturing while keeping customer pricing aligned with advertised specifications.
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It remains unclear whether the upcoming upgrades will be offered as one-time purchases or through a subscription model. Rivian has yet to announce a timeline for the range-unlocking update but is expected to release details in the coming months.