Back in 2010, we bid farewell to an iconic American vehicle — the Hummer. It consumed gas like a kid gulping down a cold soda on a summer’s day, but it was also the bad boy of the car world and people couldn’t get enough. Now, after 12 years of absence, GMC has confirmed the return of this amazing machine in 2022, but this time it’s electric.
We are yet to see any official unveiling of the new GMC Hummer EV SUT, but we have been teased a few times with interesting trailers remarking on the power, quietness and innovative features of design and technology that the truck possesses.
Still a Powerful Beast
First of all, we know that the new Hummer EV will boast an impressive 1,000hp and an unbelievable 11,500lb-ft of torque, according to GMC’s current marketing material. It will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3 seconds. If true, then it makes it more powerful than both the single-motor and dual-motor Tesla Cybertruck, and only marginally slower than the top-of-the-line tri-motor AWD version of the Cybertruck. There is talk, however, that the Hummer EV will also come in the same three electric motor variations, so we’ll have to wait to learn more about what each one can do.
Next, looking at quietness. The issue of noise is something of a no-brainer since we already know that electric cars are much quieter than their combustion-engine counterparts. Let’s take that as read, but if the horsepower and torque numbers are even remotely accurate in the production model, then it does make that quiet running noise all the more amazing.
2022 GMC Hummer EV: What We Know About Features
How does the new Hummer EV look? Unfortunately, we have only seen the rendered images from advertising content so far. From what we have seen, it appears to retain a largely conventional form in both pickup (SUT) and SUV varieties. We say “conventional” especially when you compare it to the Cybertruck, which as we all know is somewhat groundbreaking in its departure from typical automotive design. The Hummer looks to have pleasing curves and imposing presence but with some modernized features like the slim, rectangular headlights and front grille bars.
Arguably the coolest feature that GMC has shared with us is the “crab mode” drive setting. In one of their teaser commercials, we see the Hummer EV from a distant bird’s eye view driving along a beach at speed until encountering a lone crab walking to the sea. The pickup stops, seemingly waiting for the crab to go. Suddenly, the four wheels of the Hummer all turn to camera left at a previously unheard-of angle as the car proceeds to drive diagonally while the body retains its forward position. This is the much-touted crab driving mode, and is likely a game changer in off-road driving and solving tricky parking situations.
Other drive modes mentioned in their marketing materials include “Adrenaline Mode,” which without details we could only assume refers to some high-performance driving features. It could refer to another off-road capability, or perhaps some boost to speed or acceleration. For these details, we will have to continue waiting.
A further feature brought up in one of the latest teasers (with LeBron James) was the new Ultium battery. This technology is a little more familiar to us since we’ve been hearing details of the Ultium technology since at least March 2020. We know that they have unique pouch-style cells that can stack both vertically and horizontally, thus optimizing storage and layout needed for each vehicle. They can also support up to 350kW charging on the truck platform, meaning that the Hummer EV should be capable of very fast recharging indeed. Better yet, the Ultium may be the newest kid on the battery block, but it’s also cheaper thanks to its low cobalt content and use of new techniques for production. It currently stands at around $100 per kWh. Tesla models and many current EV batteries cost around $150 per kWh.
The Unveiling is Coming – October 20, 2020
You won’t have to wait as long as you think to see the new GMC Hummer EV. It’ll be unveiled officially on October 20 this year, and then production will likely begin in one year’s time, ready for the 2022 model year. As many brands ready themselves to release their latest EVs this year, we are all wondering if any of them are ready for the competition of GMC’s all-new cutting-edge Hummer? Only time will tell.
