As the promise of electric power continues to grow in acceptance, manufacturers are happy to apply that power to excess. Sure, small EVs like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt will continue, but small cars aren’t the default anymore. Instead, look to the Cybertruck and Mach-E for examples as to what you’ll likely find in dealer lots.
General Motors is embracing this philosophy with the relaunch of the nameplate that defined too much. Once the posterchild of inefficiency, the Hummer (nee Humvee) was literally a military vehicle adapted for road use. It was big, it was crass, and it was undoubtedly American. What better way to kick off a whole new (electric) vehicle?
The Hummer EV will come in under the GMC nameplate and carry 1000hp and (an alleged) 11,500lb-ft of torque. It will also be the first product to utilize GM’s Ultium hardware. It’s a hell of a proof of concept to do so in an oversized, off-road truck. Power comes from three electric motors (one up front, two in the back), though lower-end models will be released with just two motors. Power’s routed to all four wheels via GM’s e4WD system, and torque-vectoring will be an option.
Four-Wheel Steering Allows the Hummer EV to Turn Tighter
Than the Chevy Spark
The battery will allow for 800-volt DC fast-charging and will be capable of using 350-watt fast chargers. A first for the industry, this will deliver a 100-mile charge in just ten minutes. Engineers are also promising to deliver a unique but organic engine noise. What this sounds like remains to be heard, but why not?
Another why not will be the four-wheel steering feature known as CrabWalk Mode. Designed for navigating tight trails and uneven ground, it also provides the Hummer with a tighter turning radius than the Chevy Spark.
There will also be a special launch mode known as Watts to Freedom. Uh. Right. Anyway, it will power the “supertruck” from zero to 60mph in just three seconds. That’s both quick but also a stupid name. Another feature, Extract Mode, raises the truck six inches, should the truck breach. All this is to sell its off=road bonafides.
With a starting price of $112,595 USD, the Hummer EV isn’t for everyone. Hopefully, it’s actually for very few people that don’t live near me. However, it does allow for a whole lotta EV engineering that will trickle down to more practical and less insecure cars.