by An Unexpected Race Winner
After its loud launch in 2020, the Hummer EV was somewhat forgotten. But General Motors decided to remind everyone of itself in the most effective way possible, by releasing a video where, against the backdrop of a competition of exotic supercars, the true hero turns out to be the electric pickup truck itself.
A Start Straight from a Car Enthusiast’s Fantasy
The video begins classically: lined up at the starting line are a Ferrari F8, Ford GT, Porsche Taycan, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. The viewer instantly starts guessing which of these expensive projectiles will pull ahead.
An Unexpected Twist
The cars take off with a roar of engines. The Ferrari seems to pull ahead, while the Challenger falls behind, trying to find traction with the asphalt. Everything looks like a regular race, filmed from a car moving ahead for a good shot.
But there is one nuance: this camera car isn’t trying to stay ahead—it starts pulling away. At first imperceptibly, then more and more obviously. While you’re pondering the advantages of a V6 versus a V8, the lens is getting farther and farther away.
Revealing the Secret
Then the main thing happens: the angle changes, and it becomes clear that the cameras are not mounted on a secret hypercar, drone, or dragster. They are attached to the electric GMC Hummer pickup, weighing over 9,000 pounds (over 4 tons), and that’s not including the weight of the equipment and operators in this case.
In its most powerful version, the Hummer develops up to 1160 horsepower. In Watts to Freedom mode, this electric behemoth accelerates to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.8 seconds.
Advantage at the Start and Other Talents
This is enough to leave five luxurious supercars behind on the initial stretch. Of course, at high speeds, the lighter and more aerodynamic supercars would start catching up, and on a track they would undoubtedly overtake the heavy Hummer. But the final scene of the video, where the Hummer demonstrates crab walk and hill climbing, reminds us that it has a number of tricks unavailable to supercars.
This demonstration clearly shows how electric vehicles are changing perceptions of performance. The instant torque and power of electric powertrains allow even massive off-roaders to compete off the line with cars built exclusively for speed. Such marketing moves not only entertain but also highlight the technological leap occurring in the automotive industry, where traditional categories and perceptions of vehicle classes are beginning to blur.
