Hummer EV tested: GM’s environmentally sensitive offroader

This macho offroader disappeared after developing an image problem. Now it’s back with a vengeance, albeit with a different focus aimed at winning over a new generation.

To environmentalists, General Motors’ original Hummer epitomised what was wrong with the US car industry. It was the Exxon Valdez on wheels, a uniquely American way of flipping the bird to the planet.

Radicals vandalised Hummers – and in more extreme cases set fire to them – and GM was forced to retire the badge as part of an eventual retreat by the brand from the European and Australian markets.

Now the hulking pick-up is on the road to redemption, born again as a zero-emission electric vehicle.

The Hummer is back, with a more environmentally-friendly pitch. Picture: Supplied.

It doesn’t look particularly environmentally virtuous in the metal, though.

It’s every bit as physically imposing as the model sold here is small numbers from 2007 to 2010.

Wide and high, with massive chunky tyres and bulky cladding, it’s still a macho beast.

Inside, though, the cabin has a much more modern feel. It’s still super-sized, but there’s a more efficient use of space, better quality and cutting edge technology.

Huge twin screens can be configured to display every scrap of information you’d need to tackle an off-road mountain trail.

The cabin is more modern, with better quality materials. Picture: Supplied.

There are readouts on drift, pitch and roll angles, g-forces, suspension articulation and ride height. It will even let you know how much torque the three electric motors are sending through each wheel at any given time.

Eight cameras combine to give you 18 different video feeds, allowing you to place the vehicle with precision. One camera scans underneath the vehicle and there’s even a washer to clean the lens if things get too muddy.

Electric power has given the Hummer a whole new dimension, allowing engineers to devise ways of shifting torque through each wheel to maximise grip, traction and agility.

It also delivers the type of acceleration its predecessor could only dream of.

Performance is electric, thanks to three motors. Picture: Supplied

Mash the throttle and it launches with a fury simply not possible with old-school petrol or diesel engines. A seemingly non-ending surge of torque – and 735kW of power – pins you in your seat while the Hummer hurtles to 100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds – faster than a Mercedes V8 sedan.

Try this on dirt and you can feel the electronics scrambling to keep things from going pear-shaped. Engineers gleefully tell us the Hummer is an accomplished drift weapon.

Despite the performance, the Hummer claims a decent amount of range.

Two layers of cell modules – 24 in all – allow for an estimated range of 530km.

Their positioning low in the cabin also helps to quell the leaning and pitching that characterised the old Hummer, while their compact packaging delivers better ground clearance for off-roading. The Hummer feels sure-footed through gravel corners for a car its size.

Despite the improved on-road driving characteristics, engineers say the new Hummer is every bit as capable as its hardcore predecessor off-road. On a short off-road course with mud, ruts and steep gravel climbs, the Hummer gave us no reason to doubt that claim.

The Hummer is more capabe than ever before off-road. Picture: Supplied.

In some areas, it is definitely more accomplished. Rear-wheel steering means the Hummer can “crabwalk”, inching sideways to avoid obstacles and get the car back on track in sticky off-road situations.

And it all happens in relative silence. The Hummer will emit a noise at low speeds to warn pedestrians and the engineers have also created a fake engine noise that rises with throttle application. They say the noise is there to let you know how much throttle you’re applying in low-grip situations.

Hummer is the company’s first hardcore off-roader built off a dedicated platform and GM President, international markets, Shilpin Amin, says the company wants to redefine the Hummer for a new generation.

“The customer loyalty is very strong with Hummer. It actually resonates extremely really well, similar to what Corvette does for us,” he says.

But the remake had to move with the times.

“We’ve actually added more capability to that product than we had in the past but now it’s done on an EV platform and done in a sustainable way,” he says.