GMC introduces ‘Hurricane Turn’ feature in 2021 Yukon

General Motors Company (GMC) has introduced a Hurricane Turn feature in the 2021 Yukon full-sized sports utility vehicle (SUV) which seemingly offers an identical function like the Rivian’s Tank Turn technology. GMC didn’t reveal the new feature when the 2021 Yukon was officially introduced. The company probably wanted to keep things under wraps and disclose it at a later time.

Startup electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian recently announced that its R1S SUV and the R1T pickup truck would feature the Tank Turn technology where the left-side wheels of both vehicles spin in an opposite direction from the right-side ones. It enables the cars to spin in place like a tank.

The Hurricane Turn feature in the 2021 GMC Yukon was discovered by Motor Trend. On being quizzed, GMC reportedly confirmed the new feature. The Hurricane Turn is engaged with the driver turns off the stability control system, turns the steering wheel in either direction and floors the accelerator.

While turning right, the Yukon’s on-board computer applies the braking power on the passenger-side wheels which prevents them from spinning. The engine, at the same time, continues turning the driver-side wheels and rotates the car on its own axis. The opposite happens when the car is turning left. The technology is relatively simple and the car doesn’t require any extra hardware to perform the Hurricane Turn. The feature, understandably, will be available only on the four-wheel-drive versions of the new Yukon.

The 2021 GMC Yukon will come in three powertrain options and the company is yet to confirm whether the Hurricane Turn will be available in all of them or whether the feature will be limited to a particular trim. The Detroit-headquartered company is expected to publish details about the Hurricane Turn, possibly with a video explaining the feature, in the next few months.

The 2021 Yukon is expected to be seen in showrooms by summer this year. The Amazon-funded Rivian, on the other hand, is unlikely to commence commercial production of the R1S until the end-2020. Industry experts believe that the in-place spinning feature in both cars won’t be much used in practical driving conditions, once the initial interest fades.

Also read: Maserati introduces limited Royale Edition Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte