GM to bring back Hummer as 1000hp electric pick-up from 2021

A decade after it was discontinued, GM will flag the revival of the Hummer — all 1000 horsepower of it — with ads during the Superbowl.

A teaser preview picture of the new electric Hummer. Picture: Supplied

General Motors is bringing back the Hummer as an all-electric ute and will announce its return with TV advertisements during this weekend’s Superbowl in the US.

The 15 second slots, with the tagline “A quiet revolution is coming”, boast about the power and performance of the pick-up and tease images of its grille.

The electric Hummer will boast 1000 horsepower (746kW), accelerate to 60mph (97km/h) in three seconds and have “incredible” off-road ability the ads say.

Unlike the original Hummer, it will produce zero emissions and run with the “remarkable quietness” typical of electric vehicles.

Hummer will revive its signature seven-slot grille and be a model line under GMC, a division specialising in utes and SUVs.

“GMC builds premium and capable trucks and SUVs and the GMC Hummer EV takes this to new heights,” said global vice-president Duncan Aldred.

The vehicle will be revealed on May 20 and production begins at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant in the third quarter next year.

Shape of the old Hummer. The new electric version will be revealed in May. Picture: Supplied

GM’s announcement confirms reports earlier this month that Hummer would be revived and is just the latest in a string of commitments from US makers to electrify the pick-ups which dominate US vehicle sales.

They include Tesla, which in November said its Cybertruck would enter production in late 2021, and Ford, which is planning a version of its best-selling F-Series in a joint venture with start-up Rivian.

Hummer began life as a military vehicle, the Humvee, and became familiar from its role in the 1991 Gulf War.

GM produced a civilian version shortly afterwards and eventually sold three variants, with Hummer H3 briefly offered in Australia from 2007.

The brand was discontinued in the wake of the global financial crisis as GM restructured following bankruptcy.

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