Watch Tesla Cybertruck Turn On A Dime Thanks To Trick Rear-Wheel Steering

Tesla may be hoping to put a stop to the Cybertruck leaks that have been coming from within, but as the long-awaited EV nears production reality, there are plenty of other parties willing to give fans their fix of spy-tastic content.

In a new video posted by Joe Tegtmeyer, we get a great look at a prototype running on public roads, as the truck makes its way from a Supercharger back to the Gigafactory factory in Austin, Texas. Crucially though, the drone footage also manages to capture the Cybertruck’s impressive rear-wheel-steering abilities. Shortly after getting juiced up, the truck makes a sharp U-Turn, showcasing what appears to be a remarkably small (for a vehicle of its size, at least) turning radius.

Related: Cybertruck Production Inches Closer As Dozens Show Up In The Western USA

Of course, rear-wheel steering isn’t new. It was championed by Honda and Nissan in the 80s and 90s, but has made somewhat of a comeback of late, particularly as a way of improving the agility and maneuverability of larger cars and trucks.

In the video, the Tesla Cybertruck prototype’s rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front. What we don’t yet have a clear idea about is whether the Cybertruck will be able to “tank turn,” like the Rivian R1T was initially touted to (although that feature was later dropped from production models). Elon Musk has previously confirmed, though, that the Cybertruck will be able to “drive diagonally like a crab,” similar to the GMC Hummer’s Crab Walk mode.

Tesla’s Cybertruck finally seems close to production, with the model languishing in a slow development hell since it debuted in 2019. However, undisguised Cybertrucks appear to be popping up at a rate, with the latest video coming shortly after at least nine trucks were spotted being transported from Texas to California. Whether the vehicle in the video below is either an early or late pre-production prototype or even a release candidate remains to be seen. However, it does look likely that an eventual launch before 2023 ends could be on the cards.