--- title: "Rivian R1T Struggles on the Dyno, Can’t Do a Clean Pull" date: "2022-05-12" modified: "2022-05-12" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-r1t-struggles-on-the-dyno-cant-do-a-clean-pull" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Rivian News" - "Watch This" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "Off-Road" - "pickup" - "r1t" - "Rivian" --- # Rivian R1T Struggles on the Dyno, Can’t Do a Clean Pull ![rivian r1t dyno]() *\via YouTube\* We know Rivian's top-shelf R1T is wicked quick—[we drove it ourselves toward the end of last year. ]()The new automaker claims output figures of 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque, which is a lot more than the [Ford F-150 Lightning]() and within shouting distance of the [GMC Hummer EV](). However, people are having a tough time verifying this independently, as one recently posted dyno video shows. The clip was uploaded to YouTube by a frequent dyno tester named Aaron O'Neil. You can see the Rivian R1T make a brief attempt, though it starts and stops a few times during its 14-second run. It sort of hesitates, with the wheels seemingly slowing down a bit, and then surges again as the front end lifts. It seems as though there are some software gremlins preventing it from going all-out. O'Neil claims power was unavoidably cut during the test and that the Rivian lacks both a dyno mode and a way to defeat its collision control. Its safety systems are the likely culprit as they surely didn't appreciate the Rivian accelerating at full-throttle, while stationary, with walls and objects close by. Nevertheless, it was impossible to get a clean dyno run. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_m-dGeHJKo O'Neil's dyno-tested power figures were 526 horsepower and 563 pound-feet—far below the factory's claims. Rivian has no need to fudge these numbers, of course; it may be struggling with production but no one's accused them of falsifying key details like that. Early Tesla models used to run into similar issues before the EV maker released a dyno mode. It's possible that Rivian could deliver the same thing here, but fortunately, there have been [plenty of real-world tests]() to display just how rapid the pickup really is. Needless to say, these battery-powered trucks are the real deal. *Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: nico.demattia@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()