Tech Balloon

View Original

Hummer EV: Revival of an Icon

Courtesy: GMC

  • 0-60 mph in just 3.0 seconds

  • 1,000 HP

  • 11,500 lb-ft of torque

  • Extract Mode: adaptive air suspension system

  • Crab Walk Mode: vehicle moves diagonally

GMC has officially unveiled the new Hummer EV to the public. It’s GMC, and the world’s first electric super-truck. The EV will debut a new “Ultium modular electric vehicle platform and battery tech.” People are excited to say the least; preorder slots filled within an hour.

Design

Exterior

As the Hummer EV takes on the name of a design icon, elements of the new Hummer are taken from the Hummer H2 as well as from the original military Humvee. At the front, there’s a massive light bar across the bonnet (reminiscent of previous Hummer grills). The bonnet and windscreen are also near completely flat like the first Hummer.

To embrace the off-roading capabilities Hummer is known for, the EV gets massive 35-inch off-road tires as standard. And, there’s space in those huge wheel arches to fit 37-inch tires.

Loads of underbody protection including metal ‘rock sliders’ ensure brake lines don’t snag and the battery isn’t damaged (when the owner’s off-roading adventure takes them over sharp boulders, of course).

To prevent body damage in the first place, the electric truck has an 18-camera Ultravision system so the driver can see under the car, and navigate around obstacles.

Interior

This new EV truck comes with five seats as standard, and gets a pair of huge infotainment screens. There’s a 12-inch display behind the steering wheel, and a 13-inch touchscreen on the dashboard.

The dashboard design takes inspiration from the original H1, without looking outdated. It has a Bose 14-speaker audio system that includes Centerpoint Electric with Vehicle Sound Encasement. Put simply, it creates a great sound experience, custom-designed for the cabin.

Roof panels inside can come off the truck and allow a totally open air environment inside. To minimize complexity on an adventure, these panels can also easily fit inside the trunk.

Performance

Performance is the area where GMC earns the right to toss about the term “super truck.” While there are many electric trucks in development, we have yet to see one that has crossed the 1,000 HP mark alongside many other feats of power and tech.

Battery and Charging

GMC has added steel plating to the underbody of the Hummer to protect the 24 double stacked batteries that rest in the floor of the vehicle. At the bottom of these battery modules is a metal plate that can be used to heat and cool the batteries. Liquid can run through these plates to keep the battery cells at the optimum temperature.

Top-spec versions of the Hummer EV will charge at up to 350kW using 800V fast-chargers (a rate of 100 miles in just 10 minutes). With three motors and two drive units, the truck is expected to get up to 1,000 horsepower and almost 11,500 lb-ft of torque.

Extract and CrabWalk Mode

Hummer EV has an adaptive air suspension system called “Extract Mode” that can raise the vehicle by six inches for total of 16 inches of ground clearance. This mode is specially designed for extreme off-roading such as clearing boulders or fording water.

Then, there’s Crab Mode. It allows all four wheels to turn in the same direction and move the vehicle diagonally… Like a crab! But, at very low speeds. Being able to slide diagonally allows for easier maneuvering than traditional steering mechanics. Check it out at the video above.

Courtesy: GMC

Price and Availibility

The Hummer EV will be available in four different variants. This Edition 1 variant (which is unavailable after preorders filled) will be available in Fall 2021 for $112,595. Next is Hummer EV 3X which will have a three-motor setup and go 0-60 mph in just three seconds. At $99,995, it will be available in 2022. Thirdly, the Hummer EV 2X will have Crab Mode, Extract Mode and be available in Spring 2023 at $89,995. The last variant is the Hummer EV 2X which comes with only two motors and has the least expensive - but not cheap - pricetag of $79,995. It will be available in spring 2024.

Reserve your GMC Hummer EV.

This article is not sponsored by GMC


Vinay Singhania

Instagram

See this gallery in the original post