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The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is an entirely new type of electric vehicle.
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Much like the old gas-guzzling Hummer it’s based on, it’s big, fresh, expensive and flashy.
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I drove the $113,000 electric pickup and saw all of its bold styling and interesting features firsthand.
Electric cars now come in all shapes and sizes — and you don’t have to buy a slinky Tesla or an egg-shaped Nissan if you want to go green.
One new model exemplifies this new world better than any other: the 2022 GMC Hummer EV.
The new pickup can run on pure electricity, but it’s far from a rational, zero-emissions choice like a Chevy Bolt or a Nissan Leaf.
It eats those cars for breakfast.
Instead, the new Hummer EV – like the old one – is huge, expensive, in-your-face and not very efficient.
It’s less about going green – and more about feeling like a badass while doing it.
I got to drive the huge new electric car and am here to give you a full tour.
GMC loaned me a Hummer EV Edition 1, the first model available. It costs $113,000 and comes loaded with every conceivable option.
Read more: I’ve driven all three electric pickup trucks on the market — here’s why I’d buy the Rivian R1T over the F-150 Lightning or Hummer EV
GMC says some slightly cheaper options are coming. One day, an $80,000 base model will hit dealerships.
Let’s talk appearance.
Hummer is a terrifying collection of right angles that harkens back to the original, military-inspired model that became an icon in the 1990s and early 2000s.
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It’s long, impossibly wide and super chunky – almost like it’s made of legos.
It says “HUMMER” above its LED light bar. At each end is an “H.”
It rides on big, knobby tires and comes with off-road features like undercarriage protection and recovery hooks.
Hummer’s stats put some of the finest Ferraris and Lamborghinis to shame.
The truck claims to pull out 1,000 horsepower from three engines. Most electric cars have one or two.
Read more: Toyota upgraded the Prius to have even better gas mileage, better looks and a lot more power
Plant your right foot on the floor and the massive Hummer accelerates much faster than anyone would expect from a 9,000-pound tank.
According to GMC, the Hummer can reach 60 mph in an astounding three seconds when switched to “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode.
And it feels big on the road too. Visibility out of the Hummer isn’t great, and the roofs of all normal-sized cars barely graze the bottom of the truck’s window.
Fortunately, the Edition 1 comes with a comprehensive system of cameras.
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The truck provides a bird’s-eye view (which is great for parking lots) and a whole bunch of other live feeds, including what’s under the truck.
Once you get past the fear of smashing everything in sight, you’ll find that the ride quality is remarkably smooth and comfortable.
Climb in—emphasis on climb, because the Hummer is all about one floor off the ground—and you’ll note an interior that’s as loud and bold as the truck’s exterior.
Read more: REVIEW: The $113,000 Hummer EV is absolutely outrageous in every way — and that’s what makes it such a good time
The Edition 1 features designs that reference the surface of the moon, a nod to GM’s work on the Apollo 15 lunar rover.
It also has a large touchscreen with colorful graphics that remind you more of a flashy video game than a regular infotainment system.
Inside, Hummer has gold-colored accents scattered throughout the …
… a series of serious circuit breakers …
… and a large back seat.
The rear seats have hidden storage.
Read more: I drove a $2 million and a $200,000 electric car. See the biggest differences – and similarities – between the two.
You can also throw things in the Hummer’s five-foot bed, which in my test vehicle was largely taken up by two full-size spare tires.
And then there’s the front trunk, a cavernous bonus area perfect for anything you don’t want to get rained on.
In my truck, the hood came equipped with foam washers designed to hold the Hummer’s removable roof sections on a sunny day.
Dropping the Hummer’s top is as easy as loosening four latches to unlock four glass panels.
Along with the so-called “Infinity Roof”, the Hummer EV’s other major, outstanding feature is the “Crab Walk”.
In that position, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels, allowing you to drive diagonally in off-road situations.
But since this is a six-figure luxury vehicle that most owners don’t take off the pavement, don’t be surprised if you see a Hummer EV zigzagging down Rodeo Drive in the near future.
Read the original article on Business Insider