Do you remember the Hummer H2? Introduced in 2002 and discontinued in 2009, the H2 was the epitome of car buyer’s irrational love with big, heavy, and thirsty SUVs. Even though it looked like a tank, H2 wasn’t very good off-road, and even though it was big as a house, it didn’t have that much space in the interior. Oh, did we forget to mention that it achieved 9 miles per gallon? When you look at it from today’s perspective, it is insane how General Motors managed to make over 100,000 of those behemoths and sell them worldwide.
Fast forward to late 2020, and just recently, GMC has introduced a brand new Hummer EV. The world changed so much in a decade or so since the last H2 rolled off the assembly lines in Mishawaka, Indiana, and the Hummer brand did, as well. Gone are the days of thirsty 6.2-liter V8 and single-digit fuel economy.
The Hummer of the future is an all-electric, extremely capable off-road truck an impressive vehicle in every aspect. Even though the Hummers of before and the upcoming 2021 model share a lot in the design elements, they don’t have anything in common in terms of technology.
What is the Hummer EV?
Even though the original Hummer lineup met with criticism from the automotive press, it was loved by customers. Big, bulky, and totally impractical vehicles were somehow a favorite with the buyers. That is why GM spent the last ten years looking for a way to have Hummer on the streets but dodge the environmentalist’s rage.
The rise of electric vehicles showed the way. The Hummer for the 21st century – still opulent, enormous, expensive, and powerful but this time completely environmentally-friendly and politically-correct. Not to mention, that this time, Hummer is a serious off-roader, which is something why it is interesting to us.
Based on GM’s new BT1 chassis architecture, which underpins the current Silverado, Tahoe, and Escalade models, Hummer EV is a full-size, double-cab pickup with lifted suspension and off-road stance. General Motors is investing heavily in electric vehicles, and the Hummer brand is chosen to be the bearer of this new technology.
It is a smart move by GM since it is using one of their most powerful narratives in SUV and off-road class and injecting it with 21st-century technology, performance, and features. This way, Hummer EV appeals to the traditional truck buyers as well as to Tesla customers.
Hummer EV Power
The new Hummer EV will come in four distinctive trim and three power levels. The lineup starts with Hummer EV2 and EV2x, which will have two electric motors with a combined power output of 625 hp and 7,400 lb-ft of torque. Yes, you read it correctly – seven thousand and four hundred foot-pounds of torque. The next in line is EV3x with three electric motors and a combined output of 800 hp and 9,500 lb-ft of torque (once again, it is not a typo).
However, the Hummer EV First Edition is the undisputed king of the electric vehicles with 1,000 hp coming from three electric engines and a torque figure of 11,500 lb-ft! Of course, those are GM’s estimates, but even if the real-world figures would be lower, we can be sure that Hummer EV will still astonish with its power and performance. For example, the 0 to 60 mph time for Hummer EV First Edition is 3.0 seconds, which is slightly slower than the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8!
The Features of the Hummer EV
If you haven’t been impressed by the numbers, we are sure you will be with the features. Yes, the Hummer EV will come with a host of screens, a very cool infinity roof with removable panels, a premium audio system, and a new generation of advanced Super Cruise driver-assist systems.
However, this model’s unique features are really show-stopping items, and the first of those is the “Crabwalk. Since this model is all-electric, it allows four-wheel-steering, but GMC went a step further and designed a driving mode, making all four wheels turn in the same direction and making a vehicle move diagonally. It is something that no other vehicle can do at the moment, and it is very helpful when you have to navigate in tight space.
The Hummer EV can also self-extract by using air suspension mode, which can lift the vehicle 6 inches over the standard ride height. It is extremely useful when you have to go over big obstacles or fording water.
Further enhancing the Hummer’s off-road potential is the Ultravision system with 18 cameras, some of which are mounted on the vehicle’s undercarriage and show the driver what is happening below his line of sight.
The standard rolling stock includes special Goodyear 35-inch tires, but GMC says that 37s can be fitted as well. Also, every Hummer EV will come with front e-lockers and virtual rear locking differentials for additional control in off-road conditions.
Prices, Availability, and Range
The interest in the new Hummer EV is overwhelming, and GM just announced that the First Edition model, which will be available in the fall of 2021, is already sold out. It is quite the achievement, especially considering that the customers have only seen pictures and promo videos and that the asking price is a whopping $112 595.
However, GM has a cunning strategy of releasing the Hummer EV models. The first one available will be the most expensive First Edition. Year after that (fall 2022), the Hummer EV3x will be available for a cool $100,000, and after that, will the $89,000 EV2x and $79,990 EV2 be released.
In terms of range, GM declares that all models will have between 250 and 350 miles. However, those are just estimates at this point, and we will have to wait for the first road tests and real-life data.