FYI: Rivian introduces a sleeker, more affordable travel kitchen for their electric vehicle models.
Rivian’s New Travel Kitchen: A Smoother Culinary Experience for EV Owners
Rivian has consistently wowed the automotive world with innovative features and stylish electric vehicles like the R1T and R1S. One of the most exciting concepts from their early days was the "Camp Kitchen," a grand modular kitchen designed to fit within the gear tunnels of the R1T. It included everything from a cooking station to a sink, along with pots and pans, essentially redefining the culinary outdoor experience. However, the Camp Kitchen remained vaporware, leaving many enthusiasts yearning for a practical, deployable kitchen solution.
Enter the Travel Kitchen
Recently, Rivian unveiled a more streamlined version named the "Travel Kitchen." It doesn’t match the grandeur of the original Camp Kitchen, but it’s a worthy addition to Rivian’s modular accessory lineup. The new Travel Kitchen is compatible with the R1T, R1S, and forthcoming R2 and R3 models.
Features and Setup
At a Rivian event, YouTuber Brian Tong provided a first look at the Travel Kitchen. The design features:
- Large, flat cooking surface: Divided into a two-burner induction cooktop and a counter space.
- Compact storage: Including a drawer for small kitchen essentials.
- Foldable design: To assist with portability and storage, the kitchen appears to fold in half for easy stowing.
Unlike the Camp Kitchen, this model does not include a sink or space for larger items, making it more compact but less equipped for extensive cooking needs. The sliding drawers are designed to accommodate cookware, a cutting board, and other shallow items, making it a functional solution for quick outdoor meals.
Affordability and Availability
One of the significant advantages of the new Travel Kitchen is its price point. While the Camp Kitchen was pegged at a hefty $5,000 but never hit the market, the Travel Kitchen will retail for a more affordable $1,400. This makes it an accessible option for many Rivian owners and outdoor enthusiasts. Rivian plans to make the Travel Kitchen available starting this week.
The kitchen unit plugs into one of the power outlets in the back of a Rivian vehicle, sitting atop the tailgate. It also features two deployable poles and a strip of dimmable LED lights to illuminate the cooking area.
Conclusion and Perspective
Although the Travel Kitchen may not boast the expansive features and capabilities of the initial Camp Kitchen, it addresses the practical needs of outdoor adventurers beautifully. It’s significantly cheaper, easier to handle, and more likely to be used regularly. For those who appreciate Rivian’s blend of innovation and functionality, the Travel Kitchen is a nifty addition to enhance their adventures.
Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
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