Elon Musk has stated that the Tesla Cybertruck would include four-wheel directional steering, identical to the Hummer EV‘s “Crab mode.”
Over the previous year, Musk has hinted that Tesla may show off an upgraded version of the Cybertruck before it goes into production, which is still scheduled for later this year.
Tesla’s CEO has mentioned that the Cybertruck’s adaptive air suspension would be updated. They also discussed making the vehicle smaller, but Musk abandoned that idea during a design review in May 2020.
For the time being, the carmaker has shelved plans for a smaller Cybertruck, although minor changes to the design and size are planned.
lately, he has stated that the final product would resemble the prototype shown in 2019, and that he has missed certain deadlines for releasing the upgraded model.
Musk claimed on Twitter last night when asked for an update on the Cybertruck, that it will be “nearly precisely what was shown”:
“Friday afternoons are usually Tesla design studio time. Cybertruck will be almost exactly what was shown.”
Elon Musk tweet
That would imply that an update announcement is no longer planned, or at least not on the previously scheduled timeframe.
But then Musk revealed the most significant piece of new news about the Cybertruck too far.
The Tesla Cybertruck will have four-wheel steering, according to the CEO:
“We’re adding rear-wheel steering, so it can do tight turns and maneuver with high agility.”
Elon Musk statement
That sounds very similar to the “Crab mode” introduced by GM in the new GMC Hummer EV.
The pickup truck has a slew of remarkable capabilities, including “Crab Mode,” which is one of the most stunning.
The Hummer EV includes a four-wheel steering mechanism that allows it to travel diagonally in a straight path, similar to a crab walking on its sides.
The following is how GMC defined the feature:
“The super trucks industry-leading Crab Mode1 feature is enabled by the GMC HUMMER EV’s four-wheel steering capability, allowing it to move in a diagonal direction – functionality that is tailor-made for off-roading customers.”
GMC description
A battered GMC Hummer EV prototype was recently observed doing its crab walk-in traffic. It’s rather impressive.
Tesla’s own electric pickup truck, it appears, will have the same or a comparable function.
