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Chevrolet will offer four-wheel steering on its electric Silverado

The system reduces the turning radius, and makes it easier to back up a trailer

Jil McIntosh
Aug 11, 2021  •  August 12, 2021  •  2 minute read  •  Join the conversation
Available Four-Wheel Steer on the Silverado electric pickup
Available Four-Wheel Steer on the Silverado electric pickup Photo by General Motors

Chevrolet has revealed that its upcoming Silverado electric pickup truck will be available with four-wheel steering, which reduces its turning radius and makes a big vehicle easier to manoeuvre.

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The new truck will also have optional 24-inch wheels, which look good but will certainly make it even pricier when it’s time to buy replacement or winter tires.

GM calls the feature Four-Wheel Steer, and it allows the rear wheels to steer independently of the front ones. At higher speeds, the rear wheels can turn slightly to improve handling and stability; and at lower speeds, they’ll turn sharper to get around corners, or to help back in a trailer.

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It isn’t the first time Chevy has offered something like this. Back in 2002, you could order your Silverado with “Quadrasteer,” which used a steer-by-wire system on the rear axle. It could turn the rear wheels up to 15 degrees opposite to the front ones, and made the turning circle about a third tighter. But it was very expensive and added extra weight, and only lasted until 2005.

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It’s not surprising to see Four-Wheel Steer coming on the Silverado, as it’s already been revealed that the all-electric GMC Hummer EV will be able to steer all four tires, and they’re both based on the automaker’s Ultium dedicated electric platform.

Chevy hasn’t provided any specifics on Four-Wheel Steer, but on Hummer – which is primarily aimed as an off-road vehicle – the system will be driver-selectable, with automatic mode for stability and manoeuvrability, and then an extra “CrabWalk” feature that will turn the rear wheels up to 10 degrees at the same angle as the front ones, allowing the vehicle to move diagonally. We can definitely see that popping up as an option on an off-road version of the Chevrolet, such as a Silverado EV AT4. GM promises more information as the truck gets closer to launch, which is expected later in 2021.

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