Skip to main content

Rivian gets Knight Rider spooky for Halloween

Michael Knight sitting on the hood of his car KITT in a scene from Knight Rider.
Photo 12 / Alamy Stock Photo

Rivian vehicles are known for giving drivers the chance to take the party on the road, whether it’s stowing a travel kitchen onboard or using its elaborate software systems to spice things up.

With Halloween just around the corner, the automaker based in Plymouth, Michigan, is pulling out some treats from its bag of tricks: Rivian owners are getting a number of options to turn their vehicles into traditional spooky or full-on sci-fi entertainment hubs.

A software update available on the Rivian Mobile App until November 4 provides Car Costumes, which take over the vehicle’s screen, lighting, and sound systems while in park to transform it into three different cars.

Nostalgic fans of the Knight Rider TV series will be pleased with the option to turn their Rivians into the famous K.I.T.T. crime-fighting car. After choosing the option on the app, the car’s interior display system features K.I.T.T.’s diagnostics on screen while playing the original show intro music.

Here’s an extra treat for Rivian Gen 2 owners: The exterior light bar will feature K.I.T.T.’s iconic beaming red light while playing its scanner sound effect.

No-less nostalgic fans of Back to the Future movies will also get their treat with a chance to turn their vehicle into the DeLorean Time Machine. With this option, the screen turns into the classic time-traveling interface while the audio system plays the movie’s music and acceleration sound effects.

Once again, Rivian Gen 2 owners get an extra treat. Hitting the key 88 mph button will engage the car’s lighting and sound effects in the front and back of the car to whizz you through the sound barrier.

For a more traditional spooky time, you can opt for the Haunted Rivian car costume, featuring eight different sound effects and three different color themes. Static and ghosts will take over your interior display.

Rivian Gen 1 owners get a green animation on the outside of the vehicle. Gen 2 owners can turn the exterior light bar into whichever color option they find most frightful.

Nick Godt
Former Freelance reporter
Nick Godt has covered global business news on three continents for over 25 years.
5 Rivian features that don’t get enough attention
Rivian R1S Gen 2.

Rivian is getting plenty of attention in the car space these days, thanks largely to its modern-looking vehicles with excellent software, as well as the fact that it has announced an exciting road map for the future. Rivian vehicles in general, however, are packed with features, and not everything about them makes headlines. Of course, that makes sense, but after driving a second-generation Rivian R1S for the past week, I’ve found a variety of features that don’t get the attention they deserve.

There are dozens of little software features and buttons that make the experience of driving a Rivian that much better. Here’s a look at some of my favorite Rivian features that don’t get enough attention.
Driver presets

Read more
New Rivian R1S: Everything new in the second-gen model
Second-Gen Rivian R1S

The Rivian R1S is arguably the best large electric SUV out there, especially for those who want three rows of seats and are willing to pay a premium. The vehicle offers a rugged build, excellent software, a great range, and a sleek design. Only around two years after the original Rivian R1S began rolling out to first buyers, Rivian has launched a new, second-generation version of the vehicle.

But what's actually different about the new Rivian R1S? At first glance, it more or less looks the same -- so should you trade in your first-gen model for a new one? Here's a look at everything new in the second-generation Rivian R1S.
Design and interior
The overall exterior design of the Rivian R1S is more or less the same. That's a good thing. Personally, I love the look of Rivian's cars, and plenty of others do too. It's stylish without being too serious -- and the buggy oval headlights on the front are unique and fun.

Read more
Rivian R1T gets estimated 410 miles of range with Dual-Motor powertrain, Max Pack battery
People and a dog standing in front of a Rivian R1T electric pickup truck.

The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck now gets 410 miles of range with the new Max Pack battery and Dual-Motor powertrain, the company claims.

Rivian posted range estimates for the Max Pack, which is not available with Rivian's Quad-Motor powertrain, on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday, but those haven't been confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 410-mile range estimate applies to trucks with 21-inch wheels. Opting for 22-inch wheels knocks the estimated range down to 380 miles. The available 20-inch wheel and all-terrain tire combination — which helps maximize the R1T's impressive off-road capability — brings a further range reduction, to 355 miles.

Read more