Chinese EV prototype can park sideways like it's a magic trick
- L6 is an electric sedan made by IM Motors
- It’s equipped with four-wheel drive steering
- Thanks to four-wheel drive steering, it can park itself sideways
Published on Aug 22, 2024 at 5:53 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Aug 23, 2024 at 3:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
A Chinese EV startup called IM Motors is working on a game-changing parking technology.
Its latest model – the L6 – can park itself sideways.
The maneuver is so seamless it’s making people believe it must be CGI.
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IM shared a video to demonstrate this feature and it went viral on Chinese social media.
After watching the car glide into the parking spot, we can’t blame people for thinking this isn’t real.
But the thing is, it is real.
Sideways parking explained
The L6 uses a sophisticated four-wheel steering system, akin to the technology GMC uses for the Sierra’s ‘Crabwalk’ feature.
The Dongfeng M-Terrain, which is essentially a Cybertruck copycat, also uses a similar feature.
Mind you, the system in the L6 works a little differently.
When the driver climbs out of the car, they can leave the steering wheel facing the direction where the parking spot is located.
At that point, the front wheels follow the steering wheel, while the rear wheel rotate in the opposite direction, thus making the car drive laterally.
Chinese EV makers are getting good at this
Chinese EV makers are getting really good at giving their cars unique capabilities.
The NIO ET9, for example, has an incredible feature allowing it to shake off snow like a puppy.
Then there’s the BYD Yangwang U8, which can wade into water up to 1400mm in depth in an emergency.
Speaking of BYD, they also make the Yangwang U9, which can literally dance.
Now the only thing they probably should do next is find better names for their cars.
This is because, if we’re honest, names like Yangwang and Dongfeng or even IM aren’t exactly what most people would call ‘catchy’.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
