Rivian CEO explains why spectacular Tank Turn mode is a no-go

The wonderful Tank Flip characteristic that Rivian confirmed off method again in December 2019 bought plenty of truck and off-road fans speaking, for good purpose. 

The mode confirmed off the opportunity of utilizing all 4 of the electrical motors in Quad Motor R1T and R1S electrical vans to rotate the car round and round in basically the identical area, given a floor that was the correct quantity 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 car, in a really managed method, that may be subsequent to not possible 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 thought, explaining how with the instantaneous torque (in both course) of electrical motors plus an array of subtle controls and a suggestions loop, “you possibly can create a torque second the place the car rotates on its middle axis like a tank.”

However Scaringe defined (beneath) why the Tank Flip characteristic will possible by no means make it right into a manufacturing truck. 

Electrical vans must tread frivolously, too

No, Scaringe didn’t point out legal professionals 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 harmful. 

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 according to the corporate’s messaging to tread lightly. 

“It is so simply abused and so laborious to be sure 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 possible means that one other patented Rivian parlor trick, K-Turn Mode, can also be a no-go. However the off-road prowess of the format itself stays the promoting level. And as practically 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 pleasant and fewer nerve-wracking. Rivian does already benefit from 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 thought, Mercedes has already additionally teased the thought 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 characteristic the corporate’s personal, cost-saving Enduro drive unit, together with motor and discount gear. They’ll ultimately be utilized to Quad Motor variations, too.