GMC reveals Hummer EV SUV: What it will cost, include

Climate change and EVs: How will future cars stem global warming?Electric vehicles have become a hot trend. But how much better are they for the environment than standard gas or diesel-powered cars?Just the FAQs, USA TODAYGeneral Motors is expanding its GMC Hummer EV lineup by adding an SUV version that will start at over $100,000.GMC revealed the 2024 Hummer EV SUV on Saturday evening during the NCAA’s Final Four telecast in a new commercial film narrated by LeBron James.The SUV will offer many of the same capabilities and off-roading features as the Hummer EV pickup, making them the most “capable and compelling electric supertrucks ever,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick and GMC.”The new Hummer EV SUV is the next chapter, offering more options for customers to tailor the truck to their lifestyles, while continuing to encourage them to forge new paths with zero emissions,” Aldred said.Hummer EV prices and productionThe Hummer EV pickup goes into production at Factory Zero in Detroit and Hamtramck this fall. GMC has about 10,000 preorders for the pickup, which starts at $112,595. Subsequent editions will come out starting in 2022, but the cheapest edition still starts at nearly $80,000.The just-revealed Hummer EV SUV also is pricey.  When production on it begins in early 2023, the SUV Edition 1 will start at $105,595. It will have an expected range of 300 miles on a full charge, GM said in a statement.When equipped with the available Extreme Off-Road Pack, the starting price for the SUV jumps to  $110,595, with an expected range of 280 miles on a full charge.GM is not disclosing which plant will build the Hummer SUV.GM will offer a variety of Hummer EV SUV editions in the future starting at a lower price than Edition 1. GM said a Hummer EV SUV Edition 2, 2x and 3x will start at $79,995, $89,995 and $99,995 respectively.The Edition 2 has a range of 250 miles, the 2x and 3x have a range of 300 miles each on a full charge.EV SUV featuresThe new reveal ad focuses on the SUV’s capability and signature Hummer EV features, including Extract Mode and CrabWalk.Extract Mode causes the air suspension system to raise the vehicle almost 6 inches.CrabWalk can rotate all four wheels at the same angle to move the vehicle diagonally to get out of tight spots when off-roading.One of the driving forces behind CrabWalk was former racer and now GM engineer Mike Colville. Many of Hummer’s unique features came from Colville’s own garage and the cars he built to withstand the rugged racing of Ultra4.The Hummer EV SUV will be powered by GM’s next-generation Ultium battery technology. The Edition 1 allows customers to equip it for maximum driving range or maximum off-road capability, but it comes standard with 22-inch premium wheels, assist-steps and floor liners.The Extreme Off-Road package adds 18-inch wheels and 35-inch off-road tires, underbody armor and rock sliders to support the body and doors while off-roading, and UltraVision3 with underbody camera views and more.UltraVision uses front and rear underbody cameras with live views that help drivers navigate obstacles and place wheels on and off the trail. The underbody cameras, which were invented by GM engineer Christopher Stanek in his free time using plastic goggles and duct tape, are protected from damage and have a wash function to clear debris.New design, new technologyThe SUV’s design is rugged and includes a new rear design with mounted full-size spare tire. It will have a 126.7 inch wheelbase giving it “expected best-in-class off-road proportions” with a tight turning circle of only 35.4 feet.Inside, a similar five-passenger layout from the pickup remains and includes a large rear cargo area. It will have the standard Infinity Roof with removable panels, I-Bar, and rear drop glass.2022 Ford Maverick: Pickup faces big challenges, potential big payoffThe microchip shortage explained: How it’s impacting car prices and the tech industryMore: Tesla owner with Mustang Mach-E reports threats on social media from Tesla fansThe Ultium Drive System delivers up to 830 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque, enough power to go from 0-60-mph in about 3.5 seconds, GM said. Additionally, all Hummer EV models will have the enhanced version of Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system that can be used on more than 200,000 miles of enabled roads in the U.S. and Canada.The Hummer EV will have new automatic lane changing feature, where the system can determine when a lane change is optimal and initiate the maneuver, while following signaling protocols.The SUV version is no surprise considering that GM teased it last November during Barclays Global Automotive Conference. The conference was done virtually from GM’s Design Dome at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren. CEO Mary Barra and Doug Parks, executive vice president of Global Product Development, sat next to the then-yet-to-be-revealed GMC Hummer SUV during the presentation for Wall Street and the media to see. At that time, the vehicle was presumed to be a 2023 model year. To see the reveal of the 2024 Hummer EV SUV or place a reservation for one, go to GMC.com/HummerEV.Contact Jamie L. LaReau: 313-222-2149 or jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan.


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