Rivian will officially revive its long-teased “Tank Turn” maneuver in its upcoming 2026 R1S and R1T Quad-Motor variants, the company announced ahead of the feature’s debut on July 8, 2025. Originally showcased in 2019, the feature allows a vehicle to spin in place like a tank by rotating wheels on opposite sides in reverse directions.
Though it never made it into production due to concerns over environmental impact, Rivian is bringing the feature back—now optimized for the second-generation versions of its all-electric SUV and pickup. In a teaser posted by the company, a new R1S is seen performing a 90-degree pivot in the dirt, with the launch date scrawled on the bodywork in dust.
https://twitter.com/Rivian/status/1940414847528694009
The returning feature is available exclusively on the Quad-Motor variants of Rivian’s redesigned R1 vehicles. The new setup delivers 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds for the R1T and 2.6 seconds for the R1S. These specs surpass those of the outgoing generation and offer stronger performance than competitors such as Tesla’s Cybertruck Cyberbeast and the GMC Hummer EV.
Built on a new zonal electrical architecture and fitted with a redesigned heat pump, the updated platform enhances power efficiency and wiring simplicity. The 420-mile Max Pack battery is standard in the high-performance Quad variant, offering long-range capability alongside extreme off-road control.
Tank Turn will not be retrofitted to first-generation models, even those equipped with Quad-Motor powertrains. This decision has caused frustration among some early Rivian adopters, many of whom recall the feature from early promotional footage. Rivian has not provided technical specifics, but the omission may stem from structural or torque tolerance differences between generations.
The 2026 Quad Launch Edition starts at US$115,900 and includes the Tank Turn feature, along with Rivian’s new Autonomy Platform, Dolby Atmos audio system, a 360-degree vision suite, and an Unreal Engine-based infotainment UI. A refundable US$3,000 deposit is required to reserve a unit, with customer deliveries slated to follow shortly after the official reveal.
