If a couple of years ago, you had told us General Motors would bring back the Hummer--as an environmentally friendly EV--we wouldn't have believed you. But in October 2020, the, the, the automaker revealed the Hummer EV: This time around, the storied badge is an electric vehicle subdivision of the GMC branch. Hummer's first model is a massive, four-door pickup badged as a Sport Utility Truck. The Hummer SUT inaugural Edition 1 features three electric motors capable of turning out 1,000 horsepower for a three-second 0-60 time or some gnarly offroading. This supertruck also features rear-wheel steering, which allows it to drive sideways in "crab walk" mode. It even has adaptable air suspension with a "recovery" mode which increases ground clearance.
The electric Hummer SUT is a futuristic supertruck, and it can't arrive at GM dealerships fast enough. Wondering when will you be able to buy a new Hummer? Read on for details on test vehicles spotted in the wild, the collaboration behind GM's shared electric platform, and all the new Hummer model release dates.
The Test Mule Is A Pre-Production Model
Eagle-eyed truck fans noticed General Motors taking the Hummer EV pickup out for testing in the wild of Michigan's snowy Upper Peninsula. We will be honest, GMC's Supertruck extreme winter testing looks like loads of fun. The company stunt drivers had the huge vehicle skidding sideways around corners. The Hummer videos also demonstrated its ability to handle ice, crab-walk in the snow, and cut tight corners through powder thanks to optional rear-wheel-steering.
The show of cold conditions mastery creates a lot of confidence in the Hummer EV hitting American streets soon. But a little concerning is GMC's warning overlaying the winter driving videos: "Preproduction test vehicle shown. Actual production model will vary." How much will the Hummer EV change for production? When will the design be finalized and available?
Autoweek was able to get some answers after the winter testing. The company told the publication that the remaining Hummer "tests include integrating its powerful all-wheel-drive torque distribution with the traction control system, as well as calibrating and testing the electronic stability control system." But that explanation makes it sound as if General Motors only has some software yet to tweak, so why the warning that the production model will change?
Common Components Benefit From GM Engineering
General Motors is investing big in an electric future. The titan of auto manufacturing is hard at work developing a universal electric platform featuring proprietary "Ultium" batteries and motors. This modular chassis will benefit from a new battery production facility (a joint venture with LG). A common battery cell (stacked in various configurations) will power all the new electric GM vehicles. GM's expanding fleet of EVs will also share motors, single-speed transmissions, and the first completely wireless battery management system. Upcoming EVs include the Cadillac LYRIQ, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and the electric Hummer. The electric Hummer SUV launches during basketball's final four tournament on April 3rd, 2021. Catch a preview of the electric Hummer SUV.
The bulk of General Motors' resources are dedicated to next-generation EV development. This means that if there are any hiccups with the electric Hummer's batteries, engines, transmission, or the software that controls them, they will likely be dealt with quickly. The Hummer isn't being built by a small cadre at a startup; it is being designed by GM's Ultium team: one of the largest groups of experienced engineers on the planet. As the Ultium chassis is fine-tuned, the Hummer will be as well. We may even see continual software improvement with patches available to download to early Hummers in the coming years.
We don't know how much "integration" the Hummer's all-wheel-drive torque distribution and traction control needs. We don't yet know how much "calibration" its electronic stability control system still requires. We do know that any remaining engineering to be done will benefit from every resource General Motors has at its disposal.
GMC Hopes To Deliver Hummer EVs In October 2021
General Motors GMC division continues to brand the electric Hummer SUT as a 2022 model. The company insists the vehicle will be launched in October 2021, at the same time as its entire 2022 fleet. Constant vehicle delays from Tesla and other startups have made American drivers wary, but Detroit's Big Three have relatively stable track records. But the only Hummer trim-level projected to be available in the fall of 2021 is the "Edition 1" launch Hummer. And the reservations for Edition 1 are currently full.
The next Hummer available will be the $99,000 top trim level EV-3X in the Fall of 2022. The EV-3X comes standard with three motors and 800 horsepower. Edition 1 goodies, such as the 1,000 horsepower Watts to Freedom setting, transparent sky panels, and the extreme off-road package, are all available on the 3X at an extra cost.
General Motors plans to make the two-motor EV-2X available for $89,000 in the spring of 2023. The EV-2X only offers 625 horsepower but still features rear-wheel steering and air suspension. Finally, in spring 2024, buyers can pick up a base-model EV2 for $79,000. This vehicle will have a cheaper batter and thus less available range and horsepower than premium electric hummers. It also does away with rear-wheel steer and air suspension, so no crab walk or jacked-up extraction mode.
With all Edition 1's spoken for, most of us without reservations will need to wait until the end of 2022 to get our hands on an electric Hummer. The first electric Hummer is already up for resale: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale will be auctioning off Hummer EV VIN-001 for charity. Even if most of us can't buy a Hummer this year, we are excited to see them cruising the roads, racing silently into an electric future.
Sources: GM Authority, Autoweek, General Motors Corporation