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Rivian has introduced the Ecto-R1, an R1S styled as the Ghostbusters Ecto-1, in collaboration with Sony Pictures. The company also announced a Ghostbusters-themed Halloween app and in-car features for Rivian vehicles, scheduled to run from October 9 through November 2.
Rivian has turned an R1S electric SUV into the Ecto-R1, a Ghostbusters Ecto-1 tribute created with Sony Pictures, and announced a limited-time in-vehicle Ghostbusters experience for Halloween. The company says the vehicle’s roof accessories—including its sirens, spotlights and radar dish—are functional, while the software update is scheduled to run from October 9 to November 2.
The Ecto-R1 uses the R1S’s 22-inch Aero wheels, with brighter finishes and painted white covers, plus the Ecto-1’s familiar red graphics and No-Ghost logos on the hood and front doors. Rivian said the build was made in partnership with Sony Pictures. The Drive reported that Rivian sourced and restored vintage emergency lights for the vehicle rather than using modern reproductions.
Rivian said the accessories mounted on the roof are functional, including the sirens, spotlights, radar dish and side tanks. A compass is also incorporated into the design and is visible from above. The company has not described the vehicle as a production model; the announcement presents it as a themed build.
The accompanying Ghostbusters app is part of Rivian’s Halloween Mode. It can be used while parked to change the vehicle displays, and Rivian says the display experience remains active after the vehicle is put into Drive. A separate Trick or Treat Mode is set to change the driver and rear displays, play the Ghostbusters theme and coordinate exterior lights and sound effects. Rivian says owners can control the experience through the vehicle or its smartphone app.
The light-and-sound selections include Ecto-1, Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, Peter Venkman and a random setting, each with a corresponding LED sequence, according to Rivian. The company also described Halloween-themed lock sounds: Ecto-1 for first-generation R1 vehicles, and Proton Pack or Chant for second-generation R1 vehicles and the R2. A new Mallow Mash arcade game, in which players pop Mini-Puft characters, is intended for use while parked.
A Seasonal Software Showcase for Rivian
The announcement pairs a one-off-style promotional vehicle with software features that Rivian says will reach owners for a limited period. That makes the Ecto-R1 more than a visual tribute: it gives the company a public demonstration of how vehicle displays, lighting, sound and phone controls can be coordinated through a themed experience.
For current Rivian owners, the practical news is the Halloween update, not access to the customized SUV. Rivian says several features work only while parked, while its description says the display mode remains active after shifting into Drive. The announcement does not explain which elements are disabled or restricted while moving, so owners will need to follow the vehicle’s on-screen prompts and operating instructions.
The collaboration also connects Rivian’s brand to a recognizable film franchise through a licensed partnership with Sony Pictures. Rivian has not announced a sale price or plans to offer an Ecto-R1 edition to customers. The build’s main relevance for buyers is therefore as a showcase of design and software features, rather than a newly announced trim or commercial product.
Ghostbusters Ecto-1 themed emergency lights
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How the Ecto-R1 Fits Halloween Mode
The Ecto-R1 borrows its look from the Ghostbusters Ecto-1, the franchise’s familiar emergency-response vehicle, but its base is Rivian’s R1S electric SUV. The reported partnership with Sony Pictures provides the basis for the licensed character and visual references. Rivian’s announcement combines the vehicle display with an app-based Halloween experience, rather than describing a change to the R1S’s powertrain or core vehicle hardware.
Rivian’s seasonal features cover more than the Ghostbusters theme. The company says the update includes Halloween Mode, Trick or Treat Mode, themed lock sounds and the Mallow Mash game. Its stated availability window—October 9 through November 2—makes the software experience temporary. The Drive reported that Rivian plans to display Ecto-R1 builds at Rivian locations in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco and New York’s Meatpacking District; limited-edition merchandise will also be available at the New York location.
“Every accessory on top of the Ecto-R1 is functional.”
— Rivian, as reported by The Drive
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Details Owners Still Need
Rivian’s announcement, as summarized in The Drive’s report, does not specify whether the Ecto-R1 will be publicly displayed at every listed location for the same dates, or whether the builds differ from one another. It also does not say whether the vehicle will be sold, reproduced for customers or remain a promotional project.
The company has not provided a detailed compatibility list for the Halloween software features beyond the named vehicle generations and models for the lock sounds. The report does not give update-installation instructions, regional availability details or a full explanation of how lights and sounds operate while driving. Rivian’s description that the display remains active in Drive does not by itself establish that every part of the experience is available or permitted in all driving conditions.
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The October Update and Displays
Rivian says the Ghostbusters Halloween update is scheduled to launch on October 9 and remain available through November 2. Owners can watch for the software release and check Rivian’s vehicle or app guidance for supported models, installation steps and feature limits.
The Ecto-R1 builds are expected to appear at the Rivian spaces listed in The Drive’s report: Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco and New York’s Meatpacking District. Rivian has not supplied further display dates in the source material. Any decision about producing or selling an Ecto-R1 has also not been announced.
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Key Questions
What is Rivian’s Ecto-R1?
It is a Ghostbusters-themed Rivian R1S designed as a tribute to the Ecto-1. Rivian says it was created with Sony Pictures and has functional roof-mounted accessories.
When will the Ghostbusters app be available?
Rivian says the Halloween update is scheduled to run from October 9 through November 2. The source does not provide a detailed rollout schedule for individual vehicles.
Can owners buy an Ecto-R1?
No sale or customer production plan is mentioned in the announcement reported by The Drive. Rivian has presented the Ecto-R1 as a themed build, not a announced production edition.
What features are included in the Halloween update?
Rivian describes Ghostbusters-themed displays, light and sound effects, themed lock sounds and a parked-vehicle arcade game called Mallow Mash. Specific features may vary by vehicle generation and model.
Where can people see the Ecto-R1?
The Drive reported planned displays at Rivian spaces in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco and New York’s Meatpacking District. The report does not give specific display dates for each location.
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