GMC Hummer EV SUV revealed

The revival of General Motors' (GM) Hummer marque has continued with the unveiling of the Hummer EV SUV, which will arrive in 2023 as an 800hp-plus rival to the Rivian R1S. Joining a closely related Hummer pick-up truck, the SUV sits atop GM's advanced Ultium electric car platform and promises a choice of "maximum driving efficiency or maximum off-road ability".

The Hummer brand ceased operations back in 2009 and was revived only last year with the unveil of the Hummer EV pick-up. Hence, the EV SUV marks Hummer’s first new SUV in 12 years.

• Uses an 830hp, tri-motor powertrain

• Claimed to offer a range of more than 483km

• Gets Extract mode, which raises it by approx. 152mm to clear obstacles 

GMC Hummer EV SUV: Exterior and interior details

The Hummer EV SUV's blocky two-box silhouette, rugged styling and slatted front grille are reminiscent of the Hummer H2 and H3 but, with the large combustion engines making way for a much more powerful tri-motor set-up, the EV will offer significantly improved performance both on and off-road. The Hummer EV SUV measures 4,999mm in length and has a wheelbase that spans 3,218 mm. 

The Hummer EV SUV's basic body-on-battery structure is shared with the pick-up, so it comes with the same Infinity Roof removable panels, which essentially turns it into a convertible. It also shares the Super Cruise 8 autonomous functions, adaptive air suspension, 35-37-inch off-road tyres and extensive protective underbody protection. 

Inside, it features a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. With the rear seats folded flat, it offers up to 2,305 litres of boot space.

GMC Hummer EV SUV: Powertrain details

General Motors estimates a maximum output of 830hp, which is 170hp less than the top-rung version of the pick-up but nonetheless enough to take the SUV from 0-96kph in 3.5sec.

A claimed torque figure of 15,592Nm is several times more than produced by even today's most powerful production cars, but the real-life figure is likely to be closer to 1,355Nm when factoring in the multiplying effect of the gear ratios. 

GM has yet to detail precise battery specifications but has confirmed that the SUV will store its power in a 20-cell, double-stacked battery pack capable of 800V charging at rates of up to 300kW and offering a range of more than 483km, depending on specification.

The drive system is capable of sending all available power to individual wheels in turn, which means the SUV can keep moving "in some of the toughest driving conditions and terrain".

GMC Hummer EV SUV: Technology and off-road capability

Like the Hummer EV pick-up, the SUV is equipped with an innovative Crabwalk function that steers the rear axle to allow the vehicle to move diagonally. The Hummer EV SUV also gets an ‘Extract Mode’, which raises the vehicle approximately 152 mm to cope with extreme terrain. Equipped with the optional Power Station function, the SUV can also be used to power external devices - and even other EVs - at up to 6kW. 

Because it has a 9mm-shorter wheelbase, GM claims it will offer "even greater manoeuverability". A turning circle of 35.4ft is, GM notes, smaller than that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Hummer EV SUV has 13-inch of suspension travel, can climb at a 60- degree angle in both directions, can scale 18-inch verticals and can wade at depths of more than two feet. 

GMC Hummer EV SUV: International launch and India plans

The GMC Hummer EV SUV is slated to go on sale in international markets in 2023. The Hummer EV SUV will be offered in four variants - Edition 1, 3X, 2X and the entry-level 2.

General Motors, the parent company of GMC, sold cars in India under the Chevrolet brand until 2017, when it decided to pull the plug on its India operations. In 2020, GM signed an MoU for the sale of its production facility near Ranjangoan, Maharashtra to China’s Great Wall Motor Company (GWM), marking a complete withdrawal from the country. Since General Motors has showed no intentions of an India return, the chances of the Hummer EV SUV making it to India are very slim.

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