NORTHVILLE, Ill., June 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rivian engineer Gardner
Nichols' first encounter with the famed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
(PPIHC), in 2023, resulted in a new elapsed-time record (11:23.983) for
production electric pickup trucks. Nichols and his Monroe Intelligent
Suspension-equipped second-generation Rivian R1T Quad-Motor will return to
"America's Mountain" with even higher goals as they compete in the Exhibition
Division of this year's PPIHC on Saturday. And Nichols, senior performance
engineer for Rivian, expects the truck's leading-edge KINETIC(®) suspension -
standard equipment on R1T and R1S models - will once again play a pivotal role
in achieving his goals.
"With my background in vehicle dynamics and test driving, I understand the
benefits of maintaining optimal balance and traction in all operating
environments, especially throughout the sustained climb and more than 150 tight
turns at Pikes Peak," Nichols said. "Our Monroe Intelligent Suspension system
was a significant competitive advantage last year by keeping us firmly connected
to the surface and helping me enter and exit each turn with greater power and
speed."
Each R1T's factory-equipped Monroe Intelligent Suspension system features four
semi-active CVSA2 lightweight electronic dampers interconnected with KINETIC
hydraulic roll control technology. Together these technologies instantaneously
adapt to changing operating dynamics to maintain optimal vehicle balance and
stability and provide increased wheel articulation and traction. In addition to
the Rivian R1T pickup and the R1S SUV, the Monroe Intelligent Suspension KINETIC
system is featured on a variety of SUV and sports car models from leading global
OEMs.
"Rivian and other leading automakers have adopted KINETIC technology to deliver
a superior driving experience in all situations, whether it's on a racetrack,
offroad, rock climbing or in a normal daily driving environment," said Bob
Hughes, Interim Leader Monroe Ride Solutions, Tenneco.
Rivian's second generation R1T pickup rolled off the manufacturing validation
line in late March and had just two miles on the odometer heading into the first
of two weekends of pre-race testing. "Between five test days, we got exposure to
every part of the racecourse," Nichols said. "Those who are new to Pikes Peak
may be surprised that the only time a driver gets to run the whole course
continuously in one attempt is on race day. During our final practice morning,
we consistently set times five to six seconds faster than our 2022 R1T."
Nichols' support team is made up of a handful of Rivian employees, although the
effort began as a "passion project" for hundreds of contributors across all
areas of the EV manufacturer's business. "Unlike other OEMs participating in
this year's race, we haven't spent tens of thousands of dollars on private test
days or contracted an outside race team to run this effort," he said. "Everyone
working on this project still has a regular day job at Rivian and it is a full
in-house effort."
The PPIHC Exhibition Division is reserved for prototype or preproduction
vehicles. Other divisions are: Unlimited - exotic vehicles designed for PPIHC;
Time Attack 1 - two- and four-wheel-drive modified, specialized, production-
based vehicles; GT4 Trophy - a spec division for GT4 racecars; Open Wheel -
single-engine, single-seat vehicles with open wheels and cockpit; and Pikes Peak
Open - highly modified stock-appearing vehicles.
In addition to KINETIC technology, the Monroe Intelligent Suspension portfolio
includes the CVSAe semi-active suspension, which continuously adapts vehicle
damping characteristics based on inputs from multiple onboard sensors. This
system is featured on more than 80 popular vehicle models.
Tenneco is also one of the world's leading manufacturers of passive dampers for
the original equipment and replacement markets. Click here
(http://www.monroeintelligentsuspension.com) to learn more about the full
portfolio of Monroe Intelligent Suspension technologies or here (http://www.oe-
monroe.com) for detailed information concerning Monroe OE Solutions passive
dampers.
About Tenneco
Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of
automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers. Through
our DRiV, Performance Solutions, Clean Air and Powertrain business groups,
Tenneco is driving advancements in global mobility by delivering technology
solutions for light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial,
motorsport and the aftermarket.
Visit www.tenneco.com (http://www.tenneco.com/) to learn more.
Contact:
Simonetta Esposito
Global Communications
Tenneco
Sesposito@tenneco.com
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