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Huge new EV update will transform your motor into Back to the Future-style ‘time machine’ – how to engage the change
Also find out when Rivian's newest EV is expected to arrive in the UK
A HUGE new EV update can transform your motor into a Back to the Future-style "time machine".
American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian launched the three new styles to celebrate Halloween.
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The update consists of "car costumes" that can theme out your motor's screen to look like famous vehicle interfaces from popular films.
Styles include those inspired by the time machine interface from Back to the Future or K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider.
A third theme is a non-specific "Haunted" one that displays a ghostly static TV screen inside the car.
The costumes are available via a software update Rivian rolled out on October 18.
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R1T and R1S vehicles must already have the 2024.39 update installed to get the new features, as well as the latest version of the mobile app.
There are some feature differences to keep in mind based on whether you have a Gen 1 or Gen 2 Rivian vehicle.
For example, Gen 1 won’t get the exterior KITT red scanner light beam.
Once you get the update, here's how each one will work.
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Knight Rider
To set Knight Rider as your Car Costume, find the Get Spooky card on the main page of your Rivian Mobile App.
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You’ll select the Gear Guard dressed as Michael Knight to activate.
From there, your interior display system will feature K.I.T.T.’s diagnostics on screen and play the original show intro music.
For Gen 2 owners, the exterior lightbar will cascade a red beam just like K.I.T.T. and exude its iconic scanner sound effect, creating the ultimate Knight Rider experience.
Back to the Future
In the mobile app, you’ll see Gear Guard dressed up as Doc Brown.
By selecting ‘Time Machine’ as your car costume, you’ll see the interior screen show the iconic Back to the Future interface, as well as music and the Time Machine acceleration sound effect from the film.
Haunted Rivian
Hit Gear Guard dressed as a scarecrow to trigger the Haunted Rivian Car Costume through the mobile app.
This Car Costume has eight different sound effects and three different colour themes to choose from, ranging between purple, yellow, red, and green.
This will take over your interior display screen with static and ghosts.
Gen 1 owners will get a green animation on the vehicle’s exterior, and exclusively for Gen 2 owners, the exterior light bar will reflect whichever colour option you choose from, for a frightfully fun experience.
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Rivian vehicles typically show pedestrians, cars, and bicyclists that are around you on its driver screen, and with the Halloween update, it will now turn them into zombies and headless horsemen.
There are other easter eggs as well, including crows, pumpkins, and green flames in the Camp mode, plus “spooky” 3D artwork on the vehicle’s different drive modes.
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Rivian fans were quick to comment about the "cool" update, calling it a "great" and "fun" idea.
While the American car maker's EVs aren't currently available for purchase in the UK, Rivian does plan to sell its R2 model across Britain from 2027.
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