Rivian R1T Turned Into Apocalypse-Ready Off-Roader

Sep. 12, 2023 6:15 AM ET byRex Sanchez Off-Road /7 Comments

This is the first EV that will come out of 6x6 pickup truck specialist Apocalypse Manufacturing.

Apocalypse Manufacturing has previewed aRivian R1Tproject, its first attempt at building an EV off-roader up to its eyeballs on steroids. The6x6 pickup truck specialisthad chosen interesting names for its builds, such as Hellfire (Jeep Gladiator), Warlord (Ram 1500 TRX), and黑马(Ford Bronco); regardless of the name, they've all been crazy builds. For the R1T, the Florida-based company is going with the name Aftershock.

What exactly does Aftershock offer? Joseph Ghattas, owner of Apocalypse Manufacturing and South Florida Jeeps (SoFlo Jeeps), runs us through the work done so far. The R1T project has yet to be completed, but it looks rugged, just like other Apocalypse builds.

The macho stance is underscored by the massive 38-inch off-road tires and increased ground clearance. To accommodate the "bigger and better" suspension system, the electric motors and subframe were moved away from the body. The team also fitted a skid plate that runs from the front to the back.

Looking at the truck, you will notice the lack of fender cladding on the wheel arches. As this is a work in progress, we suspect there are going to be some meaty fender flares to accommodate the chunky rubber and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the build will bring in the looks department.

The plan is to make it look unique so people won't mistake it for a Kia anymore (Ghattas' words, not ours), so we're expecting it to be suitably wild when it's done.

The featured pickup is powered by the quad-motor setup, enabling all-wheel drive (AWD) that makes 835 horsepower and 908 lb-ft of torque from the factory. We're expecting a substantial drop in driving range, however, as a widebody kit and chunky off-road tires are not in any way conducive to economy runs, so don't expect to get anywhere close to the factory-claimed 328-mile EPA range.

To tease what is coming, the Aftershock is pitted against aRam 1500 TRX, which uses a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft. The R1T won all three (very short) drag races, reminding its ICE counterpart howquickly EVs can accelerate.

Is this the future of modified trucks? Maybe not all of them, but some of them for sure.