QUIET RIOT
GMC looks to shake up the truck segment with extreme off-road capabilities offered by the electric 2022 HUMMER EV Written by Andre James / Photography courtesy of GMC “Our goal was to develop the most capable, factory off-road pickup on the market. We’re excited to show the world what 100-plus years of truck know-how can do when applied to EV power,” said Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer of the newly unveiled GMC HUMMER EV. “It will have the capability to go almost anywhere, on- or off-road, combining screaming performance with a nearly silent ride,” he added. This open-air, performance-oriented supertruck mates a GM-designed three-motor electric 4WD system with five advanced drive modes (four pre-configured and one driver-configurable), providing impressive capabilities. These include the ability to climb 60-percent grades in both forward and reverse, scaling 18-inch verticals, and fording water more than two-feet deep. For instance, in Terrain Mode, the driver can negotiate terrain at low speeds by simply modulating input on the accelerator pedals. Enabling this performance level is an all-new body frame structure that eliminates conventional frame rails and makes the battery pack a fundamental structural element of the chassis. Without the constraints of a traditional propulsion system and 58 slmag.net
standard drive axles, the system can channel more power to a single wheel. Launched and offered exclusively in the fully equipped Edition 1 model with an Extreme Off-Road Package, each supertruck will be identically appointed with a white exterior and Lunar Horizon interior. Part of the HUMMER EV’s highlight reel of significant off-road features are independent front and rear suspension; an electronically controlled, driverselectable front e-Locker that elevates traction capability by locking both front wheels so that they turn at the same speed; a rear virtual locker that can vary the amount of torque sent to each wheel to optimize traction off and on-road; underbody armor; 18-inch wheels with 35-inch-OD Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires; and, UltraVision front and rear underbody cameras offering 18 camera views in total. CrabWalk, a segment-exclusive feature, turns the rear wheels at the same angle as the front wheels (up to 10 degrees) at low speeds, allowing diagonal movement of the vehicle. The driver is kept apprised of conditions and the truck’s settings at any time via
