The latest instalment of the Ghostbusters franchise has emerged from an unlikely collaboration, as US automaker Rivian shows off its Rivian R1S electric vehicle catching a ghost during a Halloween advertisement.
Bill Murray reprised his role as Dr Peter Venkman, using the frunk of the Rivian to suck in and trap Slimer, one of the franchise’s most iconic ghosts, while a jubilant Murray taunts the lime-green ectoplasmic creature.
The Rivian is covered in decals and scientific equipment to reference the star vehicle from the original 1984 Ghostbusters film, the ‘Ectomobile’ (Ecto-1).
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The director of the advertisement, Gil Kenan, is also director and co-writer of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) and co-writer of Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
The advertisement arrives alongside a downloadable Halloween theme for the Rivian R1S, Rivian R1T, and Rivian R2. The theme lets owners activate custom Ghostbusters-themed lights, sounds, and display themes.
The Ghostbusters theme also changes the Rivian’s speedometer to resemble a 1959 Cadillac‘s. The original Ecto-1 was based on a 1959 Cadillac Commercial Chassis, a body type used for applications such as ambulances and hearses.
Other features include an on-screen ‘ghosthunting’ game to tap the screen to capture ‘Mini-Pufts’.
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Rivian also claims the theme lets the vehicle “detect and greet” passersby with Ghostbusters sound effects and lights if they are wearing costumes.
No Rivian models are currently available in Australia.
However, left-hand-drive Rivian R1T utes have previously been spotted testing in Australia, and a Western Australian company imported approximately a dozen of them in a failed bid to supply them to mining operations.
However, despite right-hand-drive versions of the Rivian R2 being confirmed for the United Kingdom, there is still no confirmation of an Australian arrival.
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