Beyond the Power: Inside the Software and Tech Driving Rivian's 2026 Quad Motor R1T and R1S

As Rivian begins accepting orders for its highly anticipated 2026 Quad Motor pickup truck and SUV, customers are undoubtedly drawn to the sheer power and performance promised by the four-motor configuration. With a combined output of 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque, these vehicles boast the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a blistering less than 2.5 seconds. This level of performance is certainly attention-grabbing and positions the Quad Motor variants as the pinnacle of Rivian's current lineup.

However, focusing solely on horsepower and acceleration tells only part of the story. According to Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's head of software, the true differentiator and the key to unlocking the full potential of the Quad Motor system lies in the sophisticated software that orchestrates its every move. "The Quad is really the pinnacle of everything that Rivian has done so far," Bensaid told TechCrunch, emphasizing that the move to full in-house motor development grants Rivian complete control over the entire technology stack, from hardware to software.

This deep integration and control have paved the way for a suite of innovative features set to roll out via software updates starting in September for the quad-motor models. While deliveries for these top-tier trims are expected to begin as early as next week, the software enhancements promise to evolve the driving experience significantly.

The Kick Turn: A Software-Powered Maneuver

Among the most talked-about new features is the aptly named "kick turn." This capability is designed to allow the vehicle to pivot around its center, even while in motion, by precisely adjusting power delivery to the inside wheels. TechCrunch had the opportunity to test this feature during a press drive, observing its ability to swing the vehicle's rear end to the left or right on a dirt surface at speeds under 20 mph, all without requiring steering wheel input.

The practical application of the kick turn is primarily for off-road scenarios, enabling drivers to execute tight turns on challenging trails with ease. Instead of performing a cumbersome multi-point turn in a confined space, a simple press of a button can facilitate a rapid change in direction, making off-road navigation more efficient and dynamic.

Rivian enthusiasts may recall the much-hyped, but ultimately unreleased, "tank turn" feature. While the kick turn shares some conceptual DNA with the tank turn, it represents a more refined and environmentally conscious implementation. Rivian's decision not to release the tank turn was reportedly driven by concerns from founder and CEO RJ Scaringe and others within the company that the feature could cause excessive damage to trails. This aligns with Rivian's brand identity, which heavily emphasizes outdoor activities and environmental preservation.

To prevent potential abuse and mitigate environmental impact, Rivian has incorporated software-based guardrails into the kick turn feature. These limitations include restricting its use to speeds below 20 mph and enabling it only on low-traction surfaces like dirt. While a driver could theoretically still spin the vehicle repeatedly in one spot, the software constraints are intended to encourage responsible use primarily for trail navigation rather than recreational spinning.

Second-Generation Overhaul: A Foundation for Software Innovation

The introduction of the second-generation quad-motor configuration is part of a broader, comprehensive overhaul of Rivian's flagship R1T truck and R1S SUV lineup, first revealed in May 2024. This refresh touched nearly every aspect of the vehicles, from fundamental components like the battery pack and suspension system to the electrical architecture, interior design, sensor suite, and the software user interface.

A core strategic element of this second generation is Rivian's increased focus on bringing the design and manufacturing of major components in-house. This vertical integration strategy is aimed at achieving multiple objectives: reducing manufacturing costs, improving supply chain control, and, crucially, enhancing the performance and appeal of their electric vehicles through tighter hardware-software integration.

The rollout of the second-generation R1 models began with the dual-motor and performance dual-motor trims, which became available almost immediately after the May announcement. The tri-motor configuration followed later, arriving by August 2024. The quad-motor, being the most complex and powerful variant, required additional time – an entire year, according to the company – to fully develop and refine the intricate interplay between its software features, embedded systems, motors, suspension, and thermal management systems. This extended development cycle underscores the complexity and importance Rivian places on the software's role in the quad-motor's performance and unique capabilities.

The success of the new quad-motor is strategically vital for Rivian. With the more affordable R2 vehicles not expected to enter production until the first half of 2026, the updated R1 lineup, particularly the high-end quad-motor starting between $115,990 and $125,990 depending on the model, needs to drive sales and maintain market momentum. The advanced software features are a critical piece of this strategy, offering capabilities that differentiate Rivian's vehicles in a competitive landscape.

Software as the Brain: Advanced Torque Vectoring

If the four independent motors represent the raw power and mechanical heart of the second-generation quad-motor R1 vehicles, the software acts as the sophisticated brain that coordinates and optimizes their function. Wassym Bensaid highlighted the development of advanced torque vectoring and balancing algorithms as central to the quad-motor's capabilities.

Torque vectoring, in essence, is the ability to precisely control the amount of torque delivered to each individual wheel. In a traditional vehicle, power is distributed through mechanical differentials. In a quad-motor EV like the Rivian R1T or R1S, each wheel has its own motor, allowing for electronic control of torque distribution. This enables incredibly fine-tuned adjustments to vehicle dynamics.

Bensaid described the process as involving "super complex mathematical processing behind the scenes." This processing takes real-time data from numerous sensors throughout the vehicle – including yaw rate, steering angles, wheel speed, suspension load, and more – and feeds it into sophisticated software models. Based on this information, the software makes instantaneous decisions about how much torque each of the four motors should generate. This real-time electronic distribution of power at each wheel is what allows for enhanced traction, stability, handling, and unique maneuvers like the kick turn.

This level of control goes far beyond simply splitting power between the front and rear axles or even left and right sides. With independent control of all four wheels, the software can actively manage the vehicle's behavior in response to changing conditions, driver input, and selected driving modes. This is particularly beneficial in challenging off-road environments, where maximizing traction and maintaining control on uneven or slippery surfaces is paramount.

Software Meets Hardware: Unlocking New Driving Experiences

The tight integration between Rivian's in-house hardware and software has enabled not only the kick turn but also other innovative features designed to enhance the driving experience, particularly for adventurous users. One such feature is the "RAD Tuner," which allows drivers to customize the vehicle's driving dynamics directly through the central touchscreen interface.

The RAD Tuner was developed by a dedicated internal team nicknamed the "Rivian Adventure Department." The origin story of this feature, as recounted by Bensaid, began with a hidden engineering screen used during vehicle testing. Early Rivian employees, including R2 chief engineer Max Koff and R1 chief engineer Luke Lynch, would use this screen to configure the cars to their liking, often pushing the vehicles to their performance limits. This practice sparked the idea of making a similar level of configurability available to customers.

With the RAD Tuner, drivers aren't limited to predefined driving modes. They can create entirely new custom modes from scratch or modify existing presets like "Rally" or "Sport." This level of control allows users to fine-tune parameters related to torque balance, stability control intervention, ride height, and potentially other aspects of vehicle behavior, tailoring the driving experience to specific conditions or personal preferences.

Bensaid emphasized that the RAD Tuner is more than just a user interface tweak; it's built upon the same sophisticated underlying technology that powers features like torque vectoring. The ability to adjust complex parameters like torque balance via a simple on-screen slider represents years of engineering development. Achieving high-precision control that allows for real-time value changes while the vehicle is in motion is technically extremely challenging and highlights the depth of Rivian's software capabilities. While this feature offers unprecedented customization, Bensaid noted that it is primarily intended for expert drivers who understand how adjusting these parameters will affect vehicle dynamics.

Another software-driven feature rolling out is the "Launch Cam." Capitalizing on the quad motor's explosive acceleration, this feature automatically uses an exterior camera to record the vehicle's performance during "Launch Mode." Users can then replay these videos, complete with real-time overlays of performance statistics like speed and distance, calculated by Rivian's in-house controls software. The ability to export these videos via a USB port allows owners to save and share their launch experiences, adding a fun, engaging element to the vehicle's performance capabilities.

NACS Charging and Enhanced Trip Planning

Beyond performance and dynamic control, the 2026 R1T and R1S models, including the quad-motor variant, also incorporate significant updates related to charging infrastructure. A key hardware upgrade is the built-in support for the North American Charging Standard (NACS), the charging connector originally developed and popularized by Tesla.

The adoption of NACS is a major benefit for Rivian owners, granting them access to Tesla's extensive network of fast chargers, known as Superchargers. This significantly expands the available charging infrastructure for Rivian drivers, potentially alleviating range anxiety and making long-distance travel more convenient. While NACS is becoming the dominant standard, Rivian is also providing quad-motor customers with a complimentary CCS DC adapter. CCS was the prevailing standard for many non-Tesla EVs until recently, and the adapter ensures backward compatibility, allowing owners to utilize charging stations on other networks as well.

This hardware change is complemented by a corresponding software update to Rivian's EV charging trip planner feature. Previously, the trip planner would guide users to charging stations but might require manual consideration of adapter needs. Now, when a customer uses the trip planner and selects a NACS station, the software automatically recognizes the vehicle's built-in NACS port, updating the trip plan to reflect that an adapter is not needed. This seamless integration enhances the user experience, making trip planning and charging stops more straightforward and efficient.

The Future is Software-Defined

The 2026 Rivian Quad Motor R1T and R1S are more than just powerful electric vehicles; they are showcases of how sophisticated software, tightly integrated with in-house hardware, can define the driving experience. From enabling unique off-road maneuvers like the kick turn to offering unprecedented customization through the RAD Tuner and simplifying the charging process with NACS integration, software is at the core of these vehicles' capabilities.

Rivian's investment in developing its own motors, battery packs, electrical architecture, and software stack provides a level of control that allows for rapid iteration and the introduction of features that would be difficult or impossible with off-the-shelf components. This strategic approach positions Rivian to continue evolving its vehicles through over-the-air software updates, adding new features and improving performance over time.

As the automotive industry continues its rapid transition towards electric and increasingly software-defined vehicles, Rivian's focus on in-house development and software innovation appears to be a key differentiator. The 2026 Quad Motor R1 models, with their blend of raw power and intelligent software features, represent a significant step forward for the company and offer a compelling glimpse into the future of high-performance electric adventure vehicles.

The success of these models will be crucial for Rivian as it prepares for the launch of its more accessible R2 platform. By demonstrating the value and capability unlocked by their integrated hardware and software approach in the premium R1 lineup, Rivian aims to solidify its brand identity and attract customers who value not just electric propulsion, but also the advanced technology and unique experiences that software enables.

The kick turn might grab headlines and social media attention, and the acceleration might satisfy the need for speed, but it is the underlying software architecture – the brain coordinating the four motors, managing complex dynamics, and integrating seamlessly with charging infrastructure – that truly powers the next generation of Rivian's flagship vehicles.