[Jarateng]

Anyone else worried about what road rocks, salt and snow will do to the paint with this gap? Assuming the R1S has it too

 

[P. French]

To channel air for cooling the rear motors? Total uneducated guess!

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

It‘s there to prevent an air pocket from building in the wheel well. At first glance the R1 looks boxy and more “truck like” than previous EVs, but they still have done a lot of design work and testing to keep it aerodynamic and “slippery”.

 

[Scissors]

It's for aero. With an 8 year/unlimited mile corrosion warranty I think Rivian is confident it won't be an issue. Time will tell.

 

[sylgeist]

I was also concerned when I saw that. I looked at another pic (that I can't find now) that you can see it better. It does not appear to be open to the wheel well so it might allow air through, but it's shielded with some plastic or something in the well.

 

[Jarateng]

I was also concerned when I saw that. I looked at another pic (that I can't find now) that you can see it better. It does not appear to be open to the wheel well so it might allow air through, but it's shielded with some plastic or something in the well.

That's reassuring

 

[wicked2112]

It helps with aerodynamics.

 

[camaroz1985]

You can see at the body line there is some paint protection film on that area as well. I'm sure someone will come up with a screen or something that could be installed in there to still allow air, but prevent rocks. Shouldn't be too hard to 3D print something to fit in there.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Shouldn't be too hard to 3D print something to fit in there.

I'd be concerned that 3D printed mesh wouldn't have the necessary strength to handle a rock strike.

 

[sylgeist]

Found it! You can see it already had a mesh grill over that area assuming I'm looking at it correctly:

Wheel Shot

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Found it! You can see it already had a mesh grill over that area assuming I'm looking at it correctly:

Wheel Shot

The prototypes did... but I thought the recent pics of "production intent" vehicles no longer had the mesh?

 

[camaroz1985]

I'd be concerned that 3D printed mesh wouldn't have the necessary strength to handle a rock strike.

There is enough depth that you could make the mesh pretty robust. Also depends on your choice of material. Other option would be a laser cut piece of stainless. Definitely some options, and I imagine there will be something available either from a forum member or an aftermarket company.

 

[Victerry]

Boy that's the biggest panel gaps I've seen! Oh!, you mean that black opening? I cannot imagine that it would be open even with a screen. Imagine the slush and dirt it would throw onto the door and the side of the vehicle. I do think that it does have some function otherwise it wouldn't be there.

 

[KP1]

Anyone else worried about what road rocks, salt and snow will do to the paint with this gap? Assuming the R1S has it too View attachment 3458

I had the same concern and posted it on another section: ***Rivian Front Wheel Well / Splash guard with large...

Well aware it is for air flow but an early image of the Rivian showed a screen in this area probably to prevent debris from hitting the area around the door. See above link. They will need to come up with a long term design plan here because I am very confident pebbles/debris will deteriorate the paint around the opening. Some vehicle manufacturers include PPF (Plastic protective film) around high impact areas. Let's see what Rivian proposes.

 

[Jarateng]

I have the same concerns. We get tons of road salt in winter and I'm concerned about what it will do to the paint in this area long term. I guess the warranty is a bit reassuring but still..

 

[KP1]

I have the same concerns. We get tons of road salt in winter and I'm concerned about what it will do to the paint in this area long term. I guess the warranty is a bit reassuring but still..

If you are referring to the 8 year/unlimited mile corrosion warranty, I am pretty confident that paint chips from road debris are not covered under this warranty. Other manufacturers have a similar warranty but their coverage is for rust.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

If you are referring to the 8 year/unlimited mile corrosion warranty, I am pretty confident that paint chips from road debris are not covered under this warranty. Other manufacturers have a similar warranty but their coverage is for rust.

Yep. Actually even surface rust isn't covered... The panel must become "perforated" (a hole through the panel created by rust) before the warranty would cover it.

 

[Jarateng]

If you are referring to the 8 year/unlimited mile corrosion warranty, I am pretty confident that paint chips from road debris are not covered under this warranty. Other manufacturers have a similar warranty but their coverage is for rust.

Well this would seem like a major flaw for an expensive luxury vehicle then.. would love to know what Rivian has to say about it. I will contact them at some point as it is so far the only issue that would make me reconsider my pre order

 

[camaroz1985]

I had the same concern and posted it on another section: ***Rivian Front Wheel Well / Splash guard with large...

Well aware it is for air flow but an early image of the Rivian showed a screen in this area probably to prevent debris from hitting the area around the door. See above link. They will need to come up with a long term design plan here because I am very confident pebbles/debris will deteriorate the paint around the opening. Some vehicle manufacturers include PPF (Plastic protective film) around high impact areas. Let's see what Rivian proposes.

You can make out the edge of PPF at the body line in the picture in the first post. There have been other pictures posted that made it a little more clear.