--- title: "Watch Rivian’s Electric R1T Use Awesome Tank Turn Feature" description: "You may never actually need it, but spinning a full-size truck on a dime is a neat party trick." date: "2019-12-26" modified: "2019-12-26" authors: - name: "Chris Teague" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-teague" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/31625/watch-rivians-electric-r1t-use-awesome-tank-turn-feature" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" - "Watch This" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "Off-Road" - "pickup" - "r1t" - "Rivian" --- # Watch Rivian’s Electric R1T Use Awesome Tank Turn Feature ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Electric automaker [Rivian]() gave its future owners a great Christmas present with a short teaser of the company's upcoming R1T truck using a [previously speculated on feature]() called "Tank Turn", which allows the all-electric truck to spin completely around without moving, a move once reserved for only military tanks, [monster trucks](), and commercial lawnmowers. https://twitter.com/\_/status/1209806030437154818 While the usefulness of spinning in circles may be debatable, the technology in place to make it happen is no joke. Like other electric vehicles, each wheel has its own independent drive motor and can act independently of one another. As such, this allows them to each be driven in a different direction, in tandem, or in the case of getting the [truck]() spinning like a top, one side forward and one side reverse, i.e. like a tank. We're still a little ways away from the production of Rivian’s first two vehicles, the R1T truck and R1S SUV, as neither will start in earnest until late 2020. That, however, doesn't mean the company is laying low as it's already generated major interest from some big players in the automotive and tech worlds, with [Ford]() and Amazon investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the company, including Amazon's order for 100,000 electric delivery vans. Rivian's also attracted the likes of actor Ewan McGregor and documentarian Charley Boorman who currently have two Rivian R1Ts in tow as they make their [next motorcycling documentary]() traveling from Tierra del Fuego up the spine of South and North America. Though in what capacity is yet to be seen as Rivian is playing that role close to the vest. https://twitter.com/\_/status/1093590361774194695 As for a certain other electric vehicle manufacturer with the hopes of building [a truck](), Tesla founder Elon Musk has a hard time letting other EVs take any of his company’s limelight and we suspect Rivian's "Tank-Turn" feature will get a Tesla knockoff sometime soon. You ask for our reasoning? Well, after Porsche unveiled the Taycan EV with plenty of fanfare earlier this year, Musk sent a [less-than-stock Model S sedan around the Nurburgring]() in the attempt to prove his cars can be just as fast. We're still waiting on the results, though. It will be interesting to see how Tesla responds to seeing its competitor's less serious side, but it's clear that Rivian is showing up to play in the EV game with some serious hardware and a far more traditional design that has us giddy with anticipation to get behind the wheel. *Got a tip? Send us a note:* [*tips@thedrive.com*]() ## Author After working in the technology and software industry for several years, Chris Teague began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, he turned his attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, he earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped him gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [Twitter]()