LATEST NEWS FROM THE 4X4 WORLD

ELECTRIFIED SUV IS DUE TO LAUNCH IN 2023, BUT WILL IT COME HERE?

GMC has pulled the wraps off its 2024 Hummer EV SUV (wagon), which will join the EV pickup on sale in the USA in 2023. While the wagon shares the same electric drivetrain and off-road kit as the pickup, it does get some impressive off-road specifications and tricks thanks to its shorter wheelbase, particularly when equipped with the Extreme Off-road pack.

While four-wheel steering is nothing new to production cars, the Hummer EV’S system not only turns the front and rear wheels in opposite direction to decrease the turning circle and hence manoeuvrability on tight tracks, but it can also steer them in the same direction to allow the vehicle to ‘crab’ its way sideways. Hummer first showed this feature, which it calls Crab-walk, on the EV pickup last year.

The shorter wheelbase and overall length of the wagon will make it easier to manoeuvre when compared to the longer pickup truck.

Both Hummer EVS boast impressive off-road credentials, with off-road packages offering 35-inch all-terrain tyres on 18-inch wheels over the standard 22-inch road rubber; heightadjustable suspension; an Extract Mode for getting un-bogged; and around-vehicle cameras including underbody cameras, so that the driver can always see the terrain.

There is an elocker for the front axle, and the rear axle features independent motors which can individually send their drive to a single wheel with the most traction.

Both variants of the GMC EV Hummer are powered by a three-motor system that can deliver up to 619kw. Exclusive to the Hummer SUV is a power station generator that allows the operator to use the Hummer’s battery pack to run power tools when on site,

but we expect this feature to also become available on the pickup when production versions arrive.

The Hummer EV Pickup is due to go on sale in the USA later this year; although, the first-year production run is sold out and it will be 2022 before more Americans can get one.

The SUV will hit GMC showrooms in 2023; although some models won’t make it to market until 2024. They will be built at GM’S refurbished Plant Zero alongside the Chevrolet Silverado EV and other EVS from GM. There is no mention of right-hand drive production, so we can assume that is off the cards.

Hummer EVS, though, could be imported, converted and sold in Australia by GMSV which currently markets the Silverado and Corvette here; although, they would be very expensive vehicles priced upwards of AU$150,000.

Who knows, come 2024, EVS could offer the driving range and charging infrastructure to make them feasible tourers and 4x4s in this country.