Watch the Porsche 911 GT3 rear-steering system work

A handful of manufacturers have offered four-wheel steering in the past including Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mitsubishi, Mazda and, most recently, Acura and Porsche. On Monday, suspension expert Elephant Racing uploaded a video to its YouTube channel demonstrating the feature on the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3.

In most four-wheel steering cars--Acura and Porsche included—a computer controls the movable rear wheels. The rears don’t turn as far as the front wheels--just enough to help the car around a corner.

Porsche’s system has two electromechanical actuators that are used at the left and right side of the rear axle, as opposed to control arms. The actuators can angle the rear wheels up to 1.5 degrees, which we can see in the video, depending on speed.

At speeds less than 31 mph, the rear wheels move in the opposite direction of the front wheels. This shortens the turning radius dramatically. At speeds higher than 50 mph, the system points rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts, which increases high-speed stability.

Porsche also says that the side force on the rear axle is built up much faster, leading to easier changes in direction.

The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 gets a 3.8-liter boxer six engine making 475 hp and 324 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent rearward through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Top speed is 195 mph, and prices start at $131,395.

The GT3 has been in the news lately not because of its performance but rather its habit of catching on fire after it’s damaged. The company has told owners to stop driving the cars immediately until it gets a chance to inspect all units sold.

By Jake Lingeman