Rivian R1T Truck's Four-Motor Torque Vectoring Sets High Standards For Tesla Cybertruck

Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck is finally unveiling in just a few days after all the cryptic clues the CEO have been feeding auto enthusiasts. Musk previously stated the Cybertruck’s zero to 60 capability, but, the off-road capability of a vehicle is more about handling, and it remains to be seen if Tesla can steal the thunder from the Rivian R1T Truck.

At this point, we are still clueless about the spec details of the highly awaited Tesla Cybertruck. The spotlight currently belongs to Rivian R1T Truck, and according to Elektrek, whether Musk’s Cybertruck could steal the noise from Rivian will depend on how many motors Tesla’s upcoming pickup truck has on board. The Rivian R1T Truck has dedicated an individual motor to every wheel, a technical design that creates an unparalleled potential for torque vectoring, Elektrek noted.

Musk is very vocal about Tesla Cybertruck’s zero to 60 capability, but Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe noted that what makes a vehicle stand out is the way it can manage torque not only from front to back but also from left to right. This should be paired with the ability to adjust the damping as well as the roll stiffness frequency, the CEO added. Polestar folks also shared something similar a few weeks ago about placing a motor on every wheel of the Polestar 1’s rear axle.

Polestar Technical Concept Leader Axle Stenberg praised Tesla vehicles but also noted that drivers rarely use the zero-to-sixty-speed. Audi’s Technical Director of Power Train System Siegfried Pint shared the same thoughts a few years ago when he was discussing the e-Tron ahead of its reveal. Audi was at that time considering utilizing three motors on the e-Tron, a couple of them placed on the vehicle’s rear axle.

It can be argued that torque vectoring is a vital differentiator for all-electric off-road vehicles. Rivian provides an inboard-mounted motor for every wheel, and each utilizes its own gearbox, which is a single-speed type. Rivian’s Chief Engineer Charles Sanderson underlined the merits of on the spot torque feedback loops from each of the electric motors. Four-motor torque vectoring provides stability to the vehicle and gives the driver a feeling that it is much smaller and more agile than anticipated, the chief engineer stated.

The Tesla Cybertruck will no doubt impress fans and enthusiasts. But, with the level set by Rivian R1T Truck with its four-motor design, it remains to be seen how Tesla will fair with it.