Geely EX5 Shows Off 90 Degrees Of Technology, Can Walk Like A Crab

Geely EX5 is on display at IIMS 2025. (Photo: Karisa Aurelia Tukan/VOI)

JAKARTA Geely is again stealing attention by showing off technology that is rarely seen in mass electric vehicles. The Geely EX5 electric crossover now features an independent four-wheel steering system capable of rotating up to 90 degrees.

As a result, cars can perform extreme maneuvers such as rotating on-site, moving sideways, to parking in very narrow spaces. On December 12, Geely Automobile officials released a video showing a new driver unit fully developed in-house.

Electric motors are placed directly in each wheel, then combined with an independent steering system. This technology is currently being piloted on the EX5 prototype, as reported by Carnewschina, Friday, December 12.

The driving unit is the main component of Geely's new innovation. Interestingly, this system can be controlled using special gloves.

In the future, this device is claimed to evolve so that it can be operated via smart phones or smartwatches. As a result, it allows the owner to move the vehicle only with a gesture or touch of the screen.

In the video shared, the four EX5 wheels are seen to be able to move autonomously and rotate up to full angle. This configuration allows the prototype to rotate 360 degrees on the spot, as well as go in and out of the parking lot without the need for extra space.

You can also use crab driving mode, which is to move sideways if you want to park parallel in a narrow corner. Geely emphasized that this system is not just a gimmick.

The technology is designed to improve stability in slippery road conditions or strong winds. However, the company has not revealed when this futuristic feature will enter the mass production line.

Even so, there is one important note to accommodate 90 degrees extreme steering capabilities, the rear wheel arch seems to be made bigger. Consequently, interior space is likely to decrease significantly.

The prototype window was even closed tightly with black films, sparking speculation that back row seats might be removed on this test model. EX5 itself is an electric crossover that spearheaded Geely's new global strategy.

Built with the GEA modular architecture, this model has dimensions of length 4615 mm, width 1901 mm and 1670 mm, and wheelbase 2.750 mm. The production version uses a 160 kW (215 hp) single electric motor on the front axis and a 60.2 kWh battery, offering a distance of 430 km based on WLTP standards.