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The GMC Hummer EV is big and fast; it's also a social conundrum

Pedestrian fatalities, unresolved safety issues, overachieving and overweight trucks — overweight electric trucks — and divisive attitudes about vehicles equipped as is the new Hummer EV, are very much on the mind of Robinson Meyer. Mr. Meyer, who suggests that the 1,000-horsepower pickup is a cross "between an ambulance and a race car," is a staff writer for The Atlantic, a well-respected, long-lived journal founded in 1857. His recent essay in the monthly's flagship magazine starts off describing a scary video clip posted online by Edward Barseghian that features the 9,000-pound Hummer hurtling full tilt towards three lanes of cars idling at a light (the driver stops it in time). Then he goes on to pretty much berate the machine. "The Hummer EV haters and lovers had discovered one of the most important facts about electric 'super trucks': They are very heavy, and they go very fast," he writes. "If you imagine an ambulance that can accelerate as fast as a Formula 1 car, youÂ’re imagining a vehicle only slightly more unwieldy than the new Hummer." Meyer goes on to discuss the issue of allowing battery powered vehicles that weigh as much as the Hummer does onto public roads. "The weight of EVs is a safety issue that drivers — and cyclists and pedestrians — will only have to keep worrying about as these cars go mainstream," he explains. "Suffice it to say that cars as huge as the Hummer EV need to face some kind of regulation, especially in cities and towns, where they pose a distinct threat to the public." To Hummer devotees, them's fightin' words. But Meyer takes pains to present a sort of response from Anthony Schiavo, a research director at Lux Research, a global advisory firm: Why is the Hummer so heavy if its batteries weigh only about 3,000 pounds? “ItÂ’s absolutely a design choice and a marketing choice,” Schiavo answers. “People like larger vehicles, and the reason why those larger vehicles are getting made is because they sell.” The author concludes by bringing into his thesis the issues of climate change, liberal and conservative politics. In some places, his arguments wander; they become muddled. But for those enthused about electrics and big trucks, "Frankenstein's Hummer" is worth a read. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

GM recalling 8.4M cars, 8.2M related to ignition problems

General Motors today announced a truly massive recall covering some 8.4 million vehicles in North America. Most significantly, 8.2 million examples of the affected vehicles are being called back due to "unintended ignition key rotation," though GM spokesperson Alan Adler tells Autoblog that this issue is not like the infamous Chevy Cobalt ignition switch fiasco.
For the sake of perspective, translated to US population, this total recall figure would equal a car for each resident of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Wyoming. Combined. Here's how it all breaks down:
7,610,862 vehicles in North America being recalled for unintended ignition key rotation. 6,805,679 are in the United States.

2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV teased on 35-inch tires

Last month, Chevrolet Performance teased the 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison, which will be the ultimate hardcore off-road variant for that model developed in collaboration with American Expeditionary Vehicles (AEV). Since that camouflaged preview appeared, we've welcomed debuts of the competition, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor and 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Bookending a solid month of 4x4 delights, GMC teased the coming 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV. We can look at this as the GMC version of the Colorado ZR2 Bison, the Canyon's new-for-2024 AT4X trim given an additional boost in spec and capability. This isn't the truck's first flirt with the public. During media drives for the 2024 Sierra HD AT4X, one of the new heavy duty rigs showed up to the site pulling a trailer bearing a covered pickup. The mid-size form factor, 35-inch tires, and appearance at a GMC event were clues enough to the pickup's identity.  The official preview is proof of what we've been expecting. The revised front fascia wears a high-clearance bumper. Don't expect that winch to be included; the red hook in the tease is a digital add-on. You can expect the winch opening, boron steel underbody skid plating, and Multimatic dampers. The standard AT4X got a three-inch lift over the non-hardcore Canyon variants, in part thanks to being fitted with 33-inch tires. The 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT 315/70 17 tires on the AT4X AEV are thought to help provide 11 inches of ground clearance. Beefier wishbones and hydraulic bump stops help protect owners who want to test limits. Reports by folks who walked around the covered truck predict a set of beadlock-capable AEV Salta wheels like the kind sold with the full-size Sierra AT4X AEV Edition. The cover couldn't hide the sport rack in the bed nor the bed-mounted spare tire carrier. Those, like the winch, are likely options that add to the price. Don't be surprised if engine output is unchanged. The 2.7-liter H.O. turbocharged four-cylinder makes 310 horsepower and 430-pound feet of torque. We'll never complain about more, but that's plenty for a truck envisioned as a low-speed obstacle crosser.  All GMC is saying for now is, "An even more off-road capable Canyon is coming." It debuts on July 6. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.