• by Tanya Gazdik , February 19, 2025

Rivian is launching limited special editions of its R1 vehicles.

The California Dune Edition R1S and R1T are inspired by California’s sand dunes and are ready-built for sand adventures, according to the automaker.

They will make their debut at SXSW in Austin, which Rivian is sponsoring, and will also be on display at select Rivian locations throughout the country.

Special edition off-road vehicles have become the bread and butter of legacy automakers, with higher profit margins and opportunities for experiential marketing efforts. 

"The California Dune Edition is built for those who embrace the power to play, who find beauty in the rugged, and who believe every adventure is a chance to push boundaries,” according to the automaker. “Inspired by the mesmerizing landscapes of California’s desert dunes, the limited-edition California Dune Edition combines the powerful performance and capability of the Tri-Motor R1 with distinct colors inside and out.”

The California Dune Edition features all-new 20" all-terrain wheels, a spare tire and a reinforced underbody shield that allows for traversing more rugged terrain. 

New wheels come in two varieties including newly introduced dark wheels or the all new California Dune finish wheels to match the exterior paint of the vehicle.  

The special edition features an all-new paint color, California Dune. “The design team was inspired by the color and warmth of the beautiful, sun-drenched dunes of Southern California to create our first bespoke, limited-edition variant of the R1 vehicles,” said Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s chief design officer, in a release. “In this unique expression, we embraced the balance between the vast, quiet terrain of the California dunes and the desire to create something that is both elevated and refined. It invites you to submit to the elements while offering colors and materials that are easy to clean but look just as good when they aren’t.”