GMC announced early Tuesday that it is new Hummer EV pickup is able to head north for winter testing. What may appear just like a trip within the wrong direction to all of us warm-blooded enthusiasts is a critical next thing within the development of GM’s new electric truck.
We also got a couple of teaser pics from the Hummer EV at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds, along with two shots of development prototypes being assembled, of which GM says it has “a series.” There’s not much new to see here, but GM says there’s more to come.
“The GMC HUMMER EV is here at GM's Milford Proving Grounds to carry on validation tests and will head to northern Michigan to operate with the team's grueling winter testing process,” GM said in its announcement. “We will document your way and share updates in the coming weeks and months.”
The GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 will feature three electric motors, enabling torque vectoring. GMC says these motors produce 1,000 horsepower, though we don’t yet have a final torque figure. Power comes from a 24-module Ultium battery pack which can provide an estimated 350 miles (or even more) of range.
GMC says this new architecture supports 800-volt fast charging as much as 350 kW, which is comparable to the system Porsche introduced using its Taycan electric sedan, and GMC says it may replenish 100 miles of range in just Ten minutes. Planned variants include a two-motor setup, as well as an alternative three-motor version without torque vectoring.
The Hummer EV rides on fully independent suspension with adaptive air shocks. They can provide continuous damping adjustments for comfort, and also have a height adjustment range of 6 inches. When set in its max-height off-road mode, it has two additional inches of ground clearance, and the “Extract Mode” will lift it six inches greater than default.
The Edition 1 model also comes with standard 35-inch mud terrain tires, and combined with suspension, the Hummer EV has a fording depth of two feet and the capacity to climb over an 18-inch vertical obstacle.
Edition 1 Production begins late the coming year, having a starting cost of $112,595. In fall 2022, we’ll begin to see the regular top trim starting at $99,995; In spring 2023, we'll get a mid-level trim which has three motors, air suspension and four-wheel steering — but no torque vectoring — starting at $89,995.
