Rivian is releasing an assortment of pop culture-themed throwbacks for its electric vehicles (EVs) this Halloween, paying tribute to two icons from the 1980s.
In an update rolled out to US owners of the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, owners can now select new ‘car costumes’ via Rivian’s smartphone application, changing their exterior and interior appearances.
The most kitted-out costume is simply called K.I.T.T., named after the talking Pontiac Firebird driven by Michael Knight (David Hassellhoff) in Knight Rider, a cult classic TV show.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Selecting K.I.T.T.’s costume turns the Rivian vehicle’s interior screens into a homage to the TV car, with very 80s graphics and light-up control panels.
For those with a ‘Gen 2’ model, the lightbar at the front turns into a red beam which sweeps from side to side, just like the modified Pontiac.
If you like going where you don’t need roads, the ‘Time Machine’ costume is a homage to the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, the 1980s film franchise starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown.
Though it doesn’t give the Rivian a flux capacitor, like the K.I.T.T. costume the Time Machine brings changes to the screen graphics.
It also includes the acceleration sound effect featured in the film and – for Gen 2 owners – exterior lighting and additional sounds.
Unfortunately, both costumes – as well as the Halloween-themed Trunk or Treat – are only available to use when the vehicle is in park, with the functions being disabled when in reverse or drive.
We’ll have to wait and see if Tesla has a response to Rivian, as the EV giant has released multiple ‘light shows’ available for owners to play from their cars around Christmas.
