GabePhantom

Full breakdown — specs, risks, honest verdict, and whether you should reserve one: youtu.be/5p4xnH1AIvw?si… This is the most important EV launch of 2026 nobody is talking about.

160,000 reservations. $50 refundable deposit. Factory in Warsaw, Indiana. $1.4 billion total raised. Configurator opens June 2026. Jay Leno drove it and said: "Does what EVs do — for half the price." Production starts Q4 2026.

Jeff Bezos just bet $650M on a truck with no radio, no screen, no power windows. 160,000 people already reserved one. Here's everything you need to know about the Slate Auto truck 🧵

@SawyerMerritt @wholemars @Tesla This is why the EV transition is inevitable. Once you drive with FSD and one-pedal driving, there’s no going back. The question is just which EV you end up choosing.

BMW X5 owner says he's selling his car to buy a 2026 @Tesla Model Y after driving an EV and FSD for the first time: "Couple of months ago my friend got a Tesla Model Y 2026 and recently went overseas for 3 weeks, so he let me use it. I had never driven an electric car before and always thought about range anxiety. But man, this was an eye opening experience. After about a week, I stopped worrying about range completely. I’d just come home, plug it in, and every morning it was fully charged. After driving with FSD and one pedal driving, I can’t go back to my car anymore. My friend came back from his trip and took the car last Friday, and now I can’t stand driving my gas car. Everything feels obsolete and stupid, like I’m driving a 30 year old car with no tech. I actually get mad at it now, and it’s only been 3 days. I’ve never felt like this about my car before. After 3 weeks, I went from “I love my car” to “this is old shit.” Looks like I can’t tolerate any other cars anymore. I’m going to sell my X5 and get a Black Model Y Long Range."

@wholemars Tesla AI5 chip just taped out this week, reportedly up to 10x more powerful than AI4. But they’re not putting it in cars first. Between that, FSD v14.3 dropping, and ‘Hey Grok’ rolling out via OTA update, Tesla is clearly more AI company than car company now. Wild week.

What was the most interesting Tesla / EV / AI news of the week?

@Rivian @theautocamp Camp Rivian looks incredible. The R2 launching at that price point is going to bring a whole new crowd to these events 👀

Still dreaming about Camp Rivian last weekend! Special thanks to our friends at @theautocamp for helping us create an oasis of relaxation amongst the festival frenzy.

Rivian R2 vs Tesla Model Y — which one would you actually buy? Drop it below 👇

@TailosiveEV A $160K 'final goodbye' edition that doesn't even include the company's flagship software tells you exactly where their profit margins actually come from. You don't own the car, you rent the code.

@abisurd @TeslaNewswire Tesla 'delivered' a Level 2 driver-assist. They've been 'announcing' Level 5 Robotaxis since 2016. Selling a $12K software package isn't delivering autonomy. The market is waking up to the difference.

@GabePhantom @TeslaNewswire Rivian announced. Tesla delivered.

Tesla’s support page now features a new video showing how FSD (Supervised) works in the Netherlands. Here are the key points: ✅ Driver remains responsible ✅ Hands on the wheel are not required ✅ Short quiz before first activation ✅ Maximum speed has 3 settings: • Manually adjust using the right scroll wheel • Set a margin relative to the speed limit (percentage-based) • Enable contextual max speed (adjusts dynamically based on surroundings) ✅ Driver monitoring appears similar to North America

@Rivian VIN #5 was already spotted at a charging station in Kearney, Nebraska - driven cross - country from Normal, IL to Irvine, CA by an employee. Production is real. May 4th is looking very likely.

Introducing R2. ⚡️0-60 under 3 seconds. ⚡️Up to 300+ miles of range. ⚡️Room for five and all your gear. Reserve yours now: rivn.co/reserveR2 Deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The features, options and digital displays shown are subject to change pending final production of the vehicle.

@SawyerMerritt Rivian is also prioritizing delivery to customers closest to Normal, Illinois first - same strategy as R1T launch. Configurator opens June. If you're far from Illinois, your wait could stretch into Q3.

Rivian has released some new photos of their smaller R2 SUV and its updated black interior. Deliveries will start in Q2 2026 in the U.S. with a launch variant: • Dual-Motor AWD • 0–60mph: 3.6s • Range: 300+ miles • Native NACS port • Price, etc, will be announced on March 12th Less expensive versions will come later.

@wholemars $59,485 all-in vs Tesla Model Y Performance at $57,490. $2,000 difference. But R2 has 9.6" ground clearance vs 6.9" on the Model Y. Different cars entirely.

$59,485 for the Rivian R2 launch edition including delivery fee

@SawyerMerritt Detail most people missed: the $57,990 Launch Edition includes a lifetime Autonomy+ subscription. Rivian just started selling that separately for $2,500. That's hidden value nobody's pricing in.

BREAKING: Rivian has officially announced pricing and specs for their new smaller R2 SUV. Here are the trims: R2 Performance (with Launch Package): • Starting price: $57,990 • Deliveries start Spring 2026 • Range: 330 miles • 88 kWh battery • 0-60mph: 3.6s • 656 hp • dual-motor • 10% to 80% charge in 29 mins • 9 speaker sound system • Semi-active suspension • Rear drop glass • Matrix LED headlights • Heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear • 186" long (15" shorter than R1S) • 9.6" ground clearance • Towing capacity: 4,400 lbs • Native NACS port • 21" wheels • 90.1 cu-ft total storage • The Launch Package includes: lifetime subscription to Autonomy+ ($2,500 value), tow package, and Launch Green Color available. R2 Premium: • Starting price: $53,990 • Deliveries start late 2026 • Range: 330 miles • 88 kWh battery • 450 hp • dual-motor • 0-60mph: 4.6s • 10% to 80% charge in 29 mins • 9-speaker sound system • Matrix LED headlights • Heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear • Rear drop glass • Fewer drive modes • No semi-active suspension • 186" long • 9.6" ground clearance • 20" wheels • 90.1 cu-ft total storage • Towing capacity: 4,400 lbs • Native NACS port R2 Standard (RWD): • Starting price: $48,490 • Deliveries start in 2027 • Range: 345 miles • 88 kWh battery • single-motor • 350 hp • No all-terrain drive mode • Only all-black interior available • 5-speaker sound system • 0-60mph: 5.9s • Tailgate window glass doesn't drop down • 186" long • 90.1 cu-ft total storage • 9.6" ground clearance • Towing capacity: 4,400 lbs • Native NACS port Additional R2 Standard trim: • Starting price: $45,000 • Deliveries start late 2027 • Range: 275 miles • Other specs: TBD More photos in thread below:

18 months ago: Tesla, no question. Today: Rivian R2 launched at the same price. Better off-road. Charges at Superchargers now. The only Tesla advantage left is FSD. Is that worth $50K? Full breakdown on my profile 👆

@ferkahe0 Thanks! More breakdowns coming daily 🔥

@GabePhantom Nice while ❤️

The $45K was a lie. The only Rivian R2 you can buy right now costs $57,990. The $45K version doesn't exist until late 2027. Full price breakdown in my profile 👆

@FudKim @TeslaNewswire Haven't tried 14.3 yet, heard the highway performance is genuinely impressive. My point is more about the architecture. Rivian is building for Level 4 from day one. Tesla is iterating toward it. Different approaches, both interesting to watch.

@GabePhantom @TeslaNewswire lol really? Have you tried FSD V 14.3 ?

@MiinusPlussa @TeslaNewswire Both the R2 is a consumer vehicle first. The Uber robotaxi fleet is a separate commercial agreement. Reservations are open now at rivian.com/reserve with a $100 refundable deposit. Starting at $57,990 for the Performance trim available this spring.

@GabePhantom @TeslaNewswire And it is something consumers are supposed to buy, and not just robotaxi purposes?

@MiinusPlussa @TeslaNewswire US only for now starting with employee deliveries in April, customer deliveries May 2026. Europe is on the roadmap but no confirmed timeline yet. That's part of why Tesla still owns Europe for now.

@GabePhantom @TeslaNewswire Delivering to where?