Words by Rob Chilton
Power, pace – and a fair amount of panache – can be found in the Hummer EV pickup truck.
Dwayne Johnson drew a new legion of adoring fans when he revealed that he was able to braid his daughter’s hair. From playing a real-life MMA fighter in this year’s The Smashing Machine to voicing the loveable Maui in the Moana franchise, the 6’5” Johnson switches between tough guy and gentle giant. Which leads us to the Hummer EV pickup truck.
Tough on the outside but gentle on the inside is an accurate way to describe this remarkable, muscular beast from GMC, the American masters of the robust road vehicle. While perfectly capable of tackling inhospitable off-road terrain, we chose to see how the Hummer EV behaved in an urban environment, with the most demanding of passengers: young children.
Getting into a regular SUV is an everyday activity for kids, but when they have to literally climb into the Hummer EV using its chunky grab handles, they feel like they’re in an adventure playground and instantly fall in love. “It’s massive!” they shriek happily from the back seats, which are bigger than our bathroom. Sitting up so high is a genuine thrill for young eyeballs as they survey Dubai from their lofty – and reassuringly safe – position.
Large SUVs are de rigeur on the Dubai school run, but when we glide silently into the school car park after a smooth and effortless ride along the busy Meydan Road (during which everyone gets out of our way, pronto), parents and their children stop and stare. Literally. Backpacks and cuddly toys are dropped in amazement. Children who were having a tantrum about going to school suddenly stop crying and gawp at a vehicle that has seemingly appeared from outer space. Measuring more than two metres tall and 5.5 metres long, it’s safe to say that the Hummer EV has presence.
After the initial shock, come smiles, giggles, and the inevitable questions which, generally speaking, are along the lines of, “What on earth is that?” followed by open-mouthed statements of, “It’s huge!”. The Hummer EV pickup attracts a lot of attention and is not a truck for shy drivers. The children clamber carefully out of the rear and land back on terra firmer, thoroughly thrilled with their silent electric school run.
While imposing from the outside, the Hummer EV pickup truck is surprisingly cosy, luxurious and comfortable inside. Seats hug passengers, the gearstick fits snugly in the hand, arm rests are squidgy, and interior panels are beautifully tactile.
One noteworthy feature are the 14 Bose speakers which pump out crystal clear fairytale stories for the children in the back. Grilles of the door speakers are engraved with a map of the Sea of Tranquility where Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, which is a cosmic touch.
With the school run ticked off, we head to the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah for a staycation and a chance to push the Hummer on a wide open road. Capable of reaching 100kmh in just 3.5 seconds, the Hummer EV has a monstrous 830 horsepower and is weirdly silent, even at high speeds. Only a faint whirring and a gentle wind sound can be heard as we race towards RAK. Despite its gargantuan proportions, it is sensationally easy to drive and requires only a feather touch on both the pedals and steering wheel. A 13.4 inch infotainment touchscreen has military fonts as does the 11 inch driver instruments screen, both of which are excellently legible.
Access to the rear boot is simple with the MultiPro Tailgate, which drops down swiftly. Equally handy is the electric boot in the front bonnet, which is spacious enough for two medium suitcases and easily reached. Fully charged, the Hummer EV informs us it has a range of almost 600km. Over four days covering approximately 350km, the battery drops to only 42 per cent. Brawn, stamina, style – and plenty of fun for young and old – the GMC Hummer EV pickup truck is a truly memorable drive.
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Images: Supplied
