What makes hummer

Many people still remember the Hummer as a voracious gas guzzler and an oversized road hog. And those impressions still linger, Phil Brook, vice president of GMC marketing, told The Verge , citing market research conducted by the automaker.

That impression melted away, though, when focus groups learned that the Hummer would be all-electric. It will be a sideways-scuttling high-torque off-roader with adjustable height, partially autonomous driver assist and a bevy of social media-friendly brand name features. Take Crab Mode, for example. The rear-wheel-steering function enables all four wheels to turn in the same direction and move the vehicle sideways.

GMC teased this feature over the summer, tweeting a Hummer badge with a crab graphic. Will it allow for greater flexibility while parallel parking? Only a real-world test can say for sure. This feature is designed for off-roading, when a driver needs to clear especially large objects like boulders. A variety of vehicles offer adjustable suspension, including Tesla Model S and X vehicles.

Tesla is also working on an updated dynamic suspension for the Cybertruck electric pickup truck. The cameras will also be equipped with a wash function to clean off debris and dirt. These systems are a costly option few buyers select, but it comes standard in the Hummer EV. This system is critical to the function and appeal of the Hummer EV.

It turns quicker, backs up easier and makes the pickup handle more like a family sedan than a large SUV. The vehicle has a foot turning circle closer to the compact Chevy Sonic than the Chevy Silverado — a full-size pickup. I only had a few minutes to test this system. It just worked and felt natural. The four-wheel steering is active by default, though it can be turned off. This four-wheel steering feature allows the Hummer to drive diagonally. CrabWalk requires the driver to stop the vehicle and click through several menu buttons to activate.

Once engaged, the front and rear axles move in tandem and allow the truck to glide in unexpected ways. Turn the wheel left, and the vehicle glides diagonally left. The Hummer EV is blistering fast — if you want it to be. A launch mode, called Watts to Freedom WTF mode , is impressive, allowing drivers to hit 60 mph in 3 seconds. Hitting that velocity is incredible in any vehicle; doing so in a five-passenger pickup is even more memorable.

The all-wheel-drive pickup effortlessly finds enough traction to shoot forward with the force of a rocket. The acceleration is controlled and measured, and I appreciate the finesse that went into the tuning. The pickup held firm and felt flat even during the most aggressive turns. On the banked test track, the Hummer EV felt as solid and sturdy as any vehicle.

The batteries packed on the bottom of the truck force the gravity to the floor; the Hummer never felt top-heavy like its gas-powered ancestors. On the high-speed loop, the Hummer hit 90 mph without trying.

Hit the accelerator and it gets to speed in a heartbeat. In an off-road driving mode, the artificial tone is louder to drown out the increased road noise. In the end, I found it inoffensive. The sound is not heavy and is always in the background. A General Motors engineer explained that the company feels the driver needs and unknowingly expects audible feedback. I took the Hummer EV bouldering in as much as driving over two dozen large rocks.

Did it drive over? Was it graceful? For now, the only powertrain available in the Hummer EV is a setup with three electric motors that makes horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard and GMC estimates a zero-tomph time of 3. GMC is also quoting a dubious 11, lb-ft torque figure from this powertrain, but that estimated number is almost certainly calculated through the torque-multiplying effect of the truck's gear ratios.

While we take issue with how that misleading torque number is calculated , it should have massive pulling power regardless. The real torque number will be between and lb-ft, GMC insiders say.

We were able to test drive a prototype model and were wowed by its performance. We are eagerly awaiting our chance to test the Hummer EV's performance capabilities at our test track and will update this story with test results as soon as we can.

Speaking of towing and payload, GMC has not yet released that information. In order to be competitive with the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian's R1T and R1S models, the Hummer EV would need to boast towing capacity between and 11, pounds as well as a payload capacity between and pounds. The Hummer EV uses GM's new Ultium battery-pack technology and boasts an estimated miles of driving range per charge. The company also said that the Hummer will have an volt electrical architecture with kilowatt fast-charging capability which allows it to add miles of range in just 10 minutes.

For buyers who don't have any DC fast charging stations nearby, the Hummer EV will also be able to charge on regular public charging terminals or at home via a provided adapter, but charging times are significantly slower. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Hummer EV haven't been released yet so it's unknown what kind of efficiency this big electric vehicle will offer.