WHY THE GMC HUMMER EV SUV DOESN’T HAVE 1000 HORSEPOWER LIKE THE TRUCK

MC&T was able to join select members of the automotive media this morning during an online briefing of the first-ever 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, which launches nearly two years from now. While many of the questions could have been answered had these so-called media professionals just glanced at the press release during the Q&A session, there were a few clever inquiries. One of which happened to make note of the power disparity between the SUV and pickup truck version of the new Hummer EV, with the truck offering as much as 1,000 horsepower, and the SUV version offering only 830. And it all comes down to packaging.

To sum it up, the shorter wheelbase of the Hummer EV SUV leaves less room for battery modules, compared to the pickup truck.

“We have approximately a nine-inch shorter wheelbase on SUT (pickup truck) versus SUV,” explained GMC Hummer EV chief engineer Al Oppenheiser, who answered a question from IIHS Markit analyst Stephanie Brinley. “We could have played around with module packaging, but that compromises cargo space and a flat load floor. We didn’t want to do that.”

With a nearly 9-inch shorter wheelbase than the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and 20 inches shorter overall, the Hummer EV SUV may not be able to fit as many battery packs and modules into its structure, but the tradeoff is improved maneuverability, with a turning circle of only 35.4 feet with the available four-wheel steering feature. According to GM, that’s tighter than the much smaller Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The GMC Hummer EV family utilizes the flexible modularity of GM’s new Ultium battery platform, which can accommodate no shortage of body styles, lengths, widths, and ride heights.

“Flexibility and scale have always been part of the plan with the Hummer EV platform. Scaling the battery with the wheelbase is the right thing to do,” added lead engineer Andy Oury. “Continuous structural elements from the front bumper to the rear bumper, above, below, and around the battery are the things that enable features like the removable sky panels. That’s such a big win for the vehicle and the customer. It doesn’t make sense to compromise that amazing structure to have a fixed mindset for the modules.”

Regardless, 830 horsepower is an incredible output figure, and deserves to be celebrated.

“Frankly, we are not sorry that it’s ‘only’ 830 horsepower. There aren’t many internal combustion engines that can say that,” Oppenheiser continued. “Will we be able to grow horsepower in the future? We are going to push that capability, and as the technology gets to the point where our batteries are smaller and more efficient, we will improve performance with any chance we get.”

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV will be built alongside the truck at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant starting in early 2023, rebranded as “Factory Zero” that’s currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar renovation to solely build electric vehicles powered by GM Ultium technology. The trim level strategy of the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV also mirrors that of the 2022+ Hummer EV pickup truck. Below is a breakdown of trims, pricing, range, and power output:

HUMMER SUV EV2
Price: $79,995
Availability: Spring 2024
Range Estimate: 250+ miles
Horsepower: “Up to 625 hp”
Torque: 7,400 lb-ft (est. wheel torque)
Motors/Battery: 16-module, 2 motor
DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 400 volts
Optional upgrade: 20-module battery, 300+ mile range, 800 volt DCFC

HUMMER SUV EV2X
Price: $89,995
Availability: Spring 2023
Range Estimate: 300+ miles
Horsepower: “Up to 625 hp”
Torque: 7,400 lb-ft (est. wheel torque)
Motors/Battery: 20-module, 2 motor
DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 800 volts (300 kWh)
Optional upgrade: Extreme Off-Road Package

HUMMER SUV EV3X
Price: $99,995
Availability: Spring 2023
Range Estimate: 300+ miles
Horsepower: “Up to 830 hp”
Torque: 11,500 lb-ft (est. wheel torque)
0-60: 3.5 seconds
Motors/Battery: 20-module, 3 motor
DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 800 volts (300 kWh)
Optional upgrade: Extreme Off-Road Package

HUMMER EV SUV EDITION 1
Price: $105,595
Availability: “Early” 2023
Range Estimate: 300+ miles
Horsepower: “Up to 830 hp”
Torque: 11,500 lb-ft (est. wheel torque)
0-60: 3.5 seconds est.
Motors/Battery: 20-module, 3 motor
DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 800 volts (300 kWh)

HUMMER EV SUV EDITION 1 EXTREME OFF-ROAD PACKAGE
Price: $110,595
Availability: “Early” 2023
Range Estimate: 300+ miles
Horsepower: “Up to 830 hp”
Torque: 11,500 lb-ft (est. wheel torque)
0-60: 3.5 seconds est.
Motors/Battery: 20-module, 3 motor
DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 800 volts (300 kWh)