The amazing Tank Turn feature that Rivian introduced in December 2019 has attracted a lot of truck and off-road enthusiasts for good reason.
This mode demonstrates the possibility of using all four electric motors in the Quad Motor R1T and R1S electric trucks to rotate the vehicle around in the same space, with a suitable slippery surface.
It’s an amazing movement that Rivian has programmed—push the wheels in opposite directions on the left and right sides of the car, in a very controlled way, almost impossible to engineer. a vehicle running on a regular road. Gasoline SUVs.
Turn the Rivian tank
In an Instagram Question and answer section posted on Friday, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe remains excited about the idea, explaining how with the instantaneous torque (in both directions) of the electric motor plus With a host of sophisticated controls and feedback loops, “you can generate torque as the car rotates on its central axis like a tank.”
But Scaringe explained (below) why the Tank Turn feature will probably never make it to truck production.
Electric trucks also need to go gently
No, Scaringe didn’t mention the lawyer or the regulator that put the kibosh on it.
The reason is simple, if the scar left by the truck in the video is not enough to emphasize the problem. Hit tanks have the ability to be truly destructive.
Scaringe says that over the past year and a half, Rivian decided that while it could deploy Tank Turn, it didn’t match the company’s message to light.
“It is very easy to abuse and it is very difficult to make sure that we do not go down the road and actually do things that are the opposite of what we stand for as a company,” he summed up, Note that that’s not consistent with the way we represent it. Rivian preaches about respecting the trails and leaving no marks or damage.
This might suggest that another patented Rivian living room trick, K-Turn mode, is also a taboo. But the off-road capability of the layout itself is still the selling point. And nearly everyone who’s ever ridden an electric off-roader will agree that the extreme dexterity and precision with which the electric propulsion system can generate torque makes off-roading a pleasure. more and less stressful. Rivian took advantage of this with a difference drive mode for R1T and R1S.
Prototype Mercedes-Benz EQG
While it’s unclear if Rivian will be able to reject the idea, Mercedes has teased the concept for its upcoming car as well. Electric SUV EQGcall it G-Turn.
Rivian is in the process Started delivery of Dual Motor trucks, which has the company’s own cost-effective Enduro drivetrain, including the motor and gear box. They will eventually be applied to Quad Motor versions as well.
