Photo: @garageklub via X
Quad-motor electric vehicles can do some neat tricks that no other cars can. The so-called tank turn is one of them, although few understand why you would ever need it. However, a more helpful feature based on the tank turn is parallel parking in tight spaces, which BYD's YangWang U8 demonstrated in a recent video.
As electric vehicles prove more popular, EV carmakers have started flooding the market with new EV models. This is no longer enough in China, as more car brands have been registered. Many of them are solely destined for the local market, with brand names that are impossible to pronounce by a foreigner. YangWang is one of the lesser-known Chinese brands in BYD's portfolio, recently launched as an upscale brand with cutting-edge vehicles.
I'm sure you have heard about the YangWang U8 SUV, thanks to some videos shared on social media showing it floating on water. The Chinese drew inspiration from Elon Musk's claims that the Cybertruck might float "for a while," but they did it seriously. The U8 SUV features a floating mode that can keep the heavy SUV from sinking for 30 minutes. Well, it turns out that floating is not U8's only superpower.
Although the YangWang U8 is not a pure electric vehicle (it uses a 2.0-liter engine as a range extender), it does have four electric motors, one for each wheel. This allows it to perform neat tricks like the coveted tank-turn move. Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsome went to China and was offered the chance to test the U8, including the tank turn. Newsome appeared to make fun of this feature, not understanding its usefulness. Considering the rubber left on the ground, it might not be wise to do it anyway.
Still, there are situations when moves like that can save the day. In another video shared on social media, we see what the YangWang U8 can do when it only counter-rotates its rear wheels. The SUV can use this feature to slide the rear left or right around the front axle. If you wonder what the point is, the video below is self-explanatory. The YangWang U8 maneuvers in a tight parking spot like a pro in just two simple moves.
Before cheering that this is the best car for a rooky driver, allowing them to parallel-park without breaking a sweat, consider the downsides of this for a moment. The move is likely to cause a lot of wear not only on the tires but also on the rear drive units and suspension components. There's a reason why Rivian gave up on the tank-turn feature, leaving its fans in tears.
On the bright side, this trick should work on a tri-motor vehicle like the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Cyberbeast if the software is updated to allow it. However, just because it's possible doesn't mean it's recommended. Carmakers who plan to offer the tank turn on their EVs caution owners to only use it on soft terrain precisely because things can break if the grip is too high.
I'm sure you have heard about the YangWang U8 SUV, thanks to some videos shared on social media showing it floating on water. The Chinese drew inspiration from Elon Musk's claims that the Cybertruck might float "for a while," but they did it seriously. The U8 SUV features a floating mode that can keep the heavy SUV from sinking for 30 minutes. Well, it turns out that floating is not U8's only superpower.
Although the YangWang U8 is not a pure electric vehicle (it uses a 2.0-liter engine as a range extender), it does have four electric motors, one for each wheel. This allows it to perform neat tricks like the coveted tank-turn move. Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsome went to China and was offered the chance to test the U8, including the tank turn. Newsome appeared to make fun of this feature, not understanding its usefulness. Considering the rubber left on the ground, it might not be wise to do it anyway.
Still, there are situations when moves like that can save the day. In another video shared on social media, we see what the YangWang U8 can do when it only counter-rotates its rear wheels. The SUV can use this feature to slide the rear left or right around the front axle. If you wonder what the point is, the video below is self-explanatory. The YangWang U8 maneuvers in a tight parking spot like a pro in just two simple moves.
Before cheering that this is the best car for a rooky driver, allowing them to parallel-park without breaking a sweat, consider the downsides of this for a moment. The move is likely to cause a lot of wear not only on the tires but also on the rear drive units and suspension components. There's a reason why Rivian gave up on the tank-turn feature, leaving its fans in tears.
On the bright side, this trick should work on a tri-motor vehicle like the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Cyberbeast if the software is updated to allow it. However, just because it's possible doesn't mean it's recommended. Carmakers who plan to offer the tank turn on their EVs caution owners to only use it on soft terrain precisely because things can break if the grip is too high.
Watch the @BYDCompany U8 SUV effortlessly parallel park into the tightest spots with its quad motors! While it's a game-changer for urban maneuverability, the strain on the powertrain and rear wheels is something to keep in mind for long-term durability. #BYD pic.twitter.com/5eNWPQQ0nx
— Garage Klub (@garageklub) January 27, 2024
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