The fantastic Tank Flip function that Rivian confirmed off approach again in December 2019 obtained quite a lot of truck and off-road fans speaking, for good cause. 

The mode confirmed off the potential for utilizing all 4 of the electrical motors in Quad Motor R1T and R1S electrical vans to rotate the automobile round and round in basically the identical area, given a floor that was the correct amount of slippery. 

It was a jaw-dropping transfer that Rivian managed to program in—making use of propulsion to the wheels in reverse instructions on the left and proper sides of the automobile, in a really managed method, that may be subsequent to unattainable to engineer into a traditional roadgoing gasoline SUV.

Rivian Tank Flip

In an Instagram Q&A session posted Friday, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe nonetheless sounded excited concerning the concept, explaining how with the instantaneous torque (in both route) of electrical motors plus an array of subtle controls and a suggestions loop, “you’ll be able to create a torque second the place the automobile rotates on its middle axis like a tank.”

However Scaringe defined (under) why the Tank Flip function will seemingly by no means make it right into a manufacturing truck. 

Electrical vans must tread flippantly, too

No, Scaringe didn’t point out attorneys or regulators placing the kibosh on it. 

The reason being easy, if the scar that the truck left within the video isn’t sufficient to underscore the purpose already. The Tank Flip has the potential to be actually damaging. 

Scaringe mentioned that over the past 12 months and a half, Rivian determined that whereas it might implement the Tank Flip, it’s simply not in keeping with the corporate’s messaging to tread lightly. 

“It is so simply abused and so exhausting to ensure that we do not tear up trails and actually do issues which might be in distinction to what we stand for as an organization,” he summed, noting that it didn’t really feel congruent with how Rivian preaches respecting the paths and never leaving ruts or harm. 

This seemingly means that one other patented Rivian parlor trick, K-Turn Mode, can be a no-go. However the off-road prowess of the structure itself stays the promoting level. And as almost everybody who’s gone off-roading in an EV will agree, the acute finesse and precision at which electrical propulsion methods can ship torque makes off-roading much more fulfilling and fewer nerve-wracking. Rivian does already reap the benefits of this with distinct drive modes for the R1T and R1S.

Mercedes-Benz EQG prototype

Though it’s unclear whether or not Rivian might need dibs on the concept, Mercedes has already additionally teased the concept for its upcoming EQG electric SUV, calling it a G-Flip.

Rivian is within the technique of starting deliveries of its Dual Motor trucks, which function the corporate’s personal, cost-saving Enduro drive unit, together with motor and discount gear. They’ll finally be utilized to Quad Motor variations, too.