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When an automaker is trying to prove that its vehicles can handle some of the toughest terrain, it appears that all roads lead to Moab, Utah. Jeep holds an Easter Safari every year, in Moab, to prove that its latest models can go off-roading with the best of them. This year, the Ford Bronco crashed the Jeep party showing that the all-new vehicle was up to the off-road challenge. Now, GMC is showing that the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV supertruck is capable of handling the rugged Moab trails. GMC is releasing the information just one week ahead of Ford’s scheduling unveiling of its electric F-150.
From social media posts, it appears that the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV testing fleet has been doing some cross-country driving. Facebook friends saw several of the HUMMER EVs leaving the Las Vegas, Nevada area, two weeks ago. Others spotted them heading east on I-70 last week. One guy spotted a group of them parked in Moab, Utah, last Thursday. Just three days ago, what appeared to be the same group was spotted in Dillon, Colorado.
Specific High-Altitude Testing
According to GMC, the HUMMER EVs were taken to Moab to test the trucks’ Adaptive Air Suspension hardware. They were also testing its ability to use Extract Mode to handle steep terrain and obstacles. They were also checking how well the One-Pedal Driving functions as well as the e4WD and torque distribution, stability control and its fascinating Crab Walk ability.
The One-Pedal Driving function will allow the driver to accelerate and decelerate in low-speed off-road driving situations. It should help the driver in especially steep conditions so that the driver does not have to ride the brake and then accelerate.
“One-Pedal Driving offers a great feeling of control by optimizing the regenerative braking, friction braking and drive motor torque all through the accelerator pedal,” said Aaron Pfau, GMC HUMMER EV lead development engineer. “Drivers will quickly realize the benefits once they try it off-road.”
Unique Ways the HUMMER EV Will Overcome Obstacles
One of the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV’s new features will be what the company is calling Extract Mode. The driver can raise the vehicle approximately 6 inches to help the truck clear obstacles like rocks. Crab Walk will let the truck move at an angle to also negotiate tough barriers.
“The GMC HUMMER EV was a blank slate that was filled out by a dedicated team of engineers who are hardcore off-road enthusiasts,” said Pfau. “Features like One-Pedal Driving, Terrain Mode and Extract Mode result in an absolute off-road beast that will take you to new places.”
The exhaustive testing is also seeing how the all-new Ultium battery platform will hold up under extreme conditions. The Ultium platform will be the basis for more than two dozen new GM electric vehicles and it is important to make sure it is rugged enough to handle the weather and altitude extremes. Engineers need to know how much the changing temperatures and atmospheric conditions will affect the batteries and their performance. Similar drills are being held in cold weather, desert conditions, mountain regions and at sea level.
When We Can All See the 2022 HUMMER EV
When the first 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Supertruck rolls off the line later this year, it will have a range of 350 miles on a single charge, and its three-motors will combine to produce GM-estimated best-in-class 1,000 horsepower and GM-estimated 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque. Edition 1 Hummers will sell for a whopping $112,595 with cheaper, less equipped versions to follow. The GMC HUMMER EV SUV version is scheduled to debut in 2024.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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