Rivian Halloween Update Turns R1, R2 Into Ghostbusting EVs Through Nov. 2

Halloween is one of my family’s favorite holidays, a sentiment clearly shared by somebody at Rivian. Every October, owners of its electric trucks and SUVs can activate Halloween Mode, which changes the exterior lights, sounds and graphics on the infotainment display to match the spookiest season. It’s pretty fun.

This year, Halloween Mode on the R1S, R1T and R2 EVs has become a Ghostbusters–themed experience that Rivian says changes each of its EVs “into a ghost-hunting machine.” The over-the-air update adds lights and sounds, easter eggs and hidden clues in the digital infotainment system, a tie-in with the Rivian Assistant voice control system, and an arcade-style Halloween game that can be played while parked.

The update, developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures, is available now and runs through Nov. 2.

More from CNET

Who ya gonna call?

A new in-vehicle Ghostbusters app bundles the seasonal features into a single red toggle, accessible while parked. Tapping it syncs the EV’s interior and exterior lighting and themed audio to match the Ghostbusters’ car, the Specialized Electronical Vehicular Device (or Ecto-1). Second-generation R1 and R2 owners can also choose from Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, or Peter Venkman themes. R1 Gen 1 owners only get the main Ecto-1 theme, but each option pairs a unique exterior LED sequence with a matching audio track. The EV can also be set to automatically trigger a random themed light-and-sound show whenever someone walks past, giving trick-or-treaters a fun surprise.

Inside, the dashboard and rear displays transform to match Ecto-1’s control panels, playing a version of the iconic Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters theme song. The Rivian mobile and smartwatch apps also update to match the vehicle’s controls, allowing owners to trigger Ecto-1’s siren and flashing lights from outside the vehicle.

In addition to putting on a show for passersby, the spooky infotainment mode features clues hidden throughout the EV’s menus that can be tapped to reveal secret characters — like Slimer and Rivian’s Ghost Guard — triggering animations, audio and easter eggs. Even the Rivian Assistant voice command system gets in on the act, taking on an eerie tone for the season, triggering light shows with spoken commands, reading clues for the in-dash scavenger hunt and playing sound effects on request.

Rounding out the update is Mallow Mash, an arcade game accessible from the main touchscreen where players race against the clock to pop mini Stay Puft Marshmallow Men. The full creature feature set — including the scavenger hunt, the arcade game and most of the lights and sounds — is only available when the vehicle is in park. However, the touchscreen’s visual theme will remain active if switched before driving, so you can take the show on the road. 

To get in on the fun, both the vehicle software and the Rivian mobile app need to be up to date. Once updated, look for a prompt on the driver display that asks whether you’d like to “hunt some ghosts” and opens the Ghostbusters app.

The real Ecto-R1

In addition to the seasonal software, Rivian also built a few physical homages to the original Ecto-1 based on its R1S. Dubbed the Ecto-R1, the full-size electric SUV features white paint on the body and 22-inch Aero wheels, red graphics running the length of the chassis, and the No-Ghost logo on its hood and front doors. Rivian has loaded the EV’s roof rack with a custom frame filled with screen-accurate sirens, spotlights, a radar dish and side tanks, as well as vintage emergency lights sourced and restored to complete the look. It’s so cool.

I couldn’t convince Rivian to sell me one of its custom Ecto-R1s — though that hasn’t stopped me from asking repeatedly — but the builds will be on display for fans to check out in person at Rivian retail spaces in Austin, Miami, San Francisco, New York, and Laguna Beach and Venice, California. The full list of events is on Rivian’s Halloween page.

Senior Writer, Electrified Cars

Antuan has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience testing hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. See full bio