The Rivian R1S Quad Pebble Beach One-of-One Sold For $175,000
The words electric SUV and pricey collector’s item seldom appear together in the same sentence, especially when it comes to auctions. Most EVs depreciate heavily. But Rivian just sold a fancy, one-off version of the R1S, the 2026 Rivian R1S Quad Pebble Beach, for $175,000 at Broad Arrow’s Monterey Jet Center auction. Rivian auctioned the vehicle to support YouTuber Mr. Beast’s #TeamWater clean water initiative. The gavel price beat its $130,000 estimate by $45,000. As far as we can tell, it’s the most money anyone has ever paid for a Rivian.
- Base Trim Engine
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EV
- Base Trim Transmission
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1-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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533 HP
- Base Trim Torque
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610 lb.-ft.
Of course, in the context of Monterey Car Week, $175,000 is like ordering a pizza with extra sauce. Million-dollar auctions are everywhere during this week of affluent motoring. But this Rivian sale is something special.
What Is The Rivian R1S Quad Pebble Beach?
The base vehicle is, as the name suggests, the Rivian R1S Quad. It features Rivian’s most powerful quad-motor setup, producing 1,025 horsepower and 1,196 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a supercar-slaying 2.6 seconds, but it can still tow up to 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimates a range of 338 miles before more electricity is required.
The “One of One” special edition treatment is entirely aesthetic. Rivian used a unique Monterey Silver Paint with a liquid metal finish that’s supposed to evoke the golden hour light – the moments just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sunlight is soft. In this instance, Rivian seeks that effect as it occurs off the water, changing hues in different light. It also gets a pebble stone adventex interior with coastal-inspired details. Rivian trimmed the dashboard with spalted Olive Ash wood with marbling, which looks cool but would not have been production-grade.
Will Rivian Build More Fancy Vehicles Like This?
In short, yes. MotorTrend spoke with Rivian chief designer Jeff Hammoud. He confirmed that part of Rivian’s motivation with the R1S Quad Pebble Beach is to explore the market for more high-end offerings.
“From a pricing perspective, we haven’t found the ceiling for R1 vehicles and our Rivian brand,” Hammoud told MotorTrend. “Our goal with attending Pebble Beach is to understand the demographics there. We wanted to see how we would be received by going elevated, while maintaining the rugged capability and inviting feel of a Rivian.”
Hammoud also confirmed that Rivian’s Studio Originals program would continue to produce one-off vehicles in the future.“We want to approach it like a sneaker drop,” Hammoud said. “Studio Originals lets us get more expressive and experimental around colors, materials, and design.”
Should Rivian Build More Fancy SUVs Like This?
The answer here is also yes. Rivian’s exploration of higher-end finishes is not too surprising. Interior design is a strength for the brand. We drove a Rivian R1S earlier this year and would put its interior on par with any higher-end brand. And it’s a potential profit driver for Rivian. As Porsche and other automakers have discovered, the buyer maxing out a Rivian R1S Quad is probably not constrained by price. Going further with individual touches and bespoke customizations can be quite a revenue generator.
Higher-end finishes would also help Rivian differentiate its lineup a bit. One of the weaknesses (or virtues, depending on your perspective) of Rivian is that its vehicles are simplified to ease production. You gain more range, capability, and options as you progress through the trim levels. But there isn’t much visual distinction.
The buyer paying approximately $80,000 for a base model receives an SUV that closely resembles the $125,000 model. That’s great for the base model customer. However, it’s natural for the buyer of a fully loaded R1S to want something a bit more special.
Sources: Broad Arrow Auctions, MotorTrend
