Hummer & tongs

Experience the American dream on Indian roads: A right-hand drive EV

Shams Naqvi

Updated At : 08:56 AM Feb 08, 2025 IST

The Hummer EV is 5 metres long, more than 2 metres wide, with a claimed range of a little over 500 km.

Ever fancied owing a big muscle American SUV right here in India, that too in right-hand drive? Well, the likes of GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator or even the Ford Broncho can now be driven in India. It is possible if you’re willing to pay the price for conversion to right-hand drive after buying the vehicle in the United States and, of course, paying the necessary import duties. I recently got up, close and personal with one such vehicle — the Hummer EV.

Delhi-based luxury car seller Friday Night Cars is responsible for getting the first ever Hummer EV in the northern part of the country. The brand takes care of end-to-end requirements, which include everything from buying a new car, shipping it to a facility in Asia for conversion to right-hand drive and finally importing it to our shores. The idea is to give the consumer the original Hummer experience, albeit by following all the rules and regulations with respect to driving a luxury vehicle on Indian roads.

The cabin is feature rich, as expected from a luxury SUV.

The Hummer has been a global icon for decades and has a strong following in India as well. Recently, the GMC decided that like many other global cars, even their flagship SUV will transition to electric and the Hummer EV was born. The version that is available in India is the more powerful 3X, which comes with a triple motor setup and the biggest battery pack seen on any passenger car anywhere in the world.

The SUV is 5 metres long, more than 2 metres wide and even the wheelbase is approximately 3.2 metres. So, like its petrol counterpart, it is quite intimidating to look at. A highlight on the face are the DRLs with Hummer lettering on them, along with a raised hood. The standard ground clearance is set at 260 mm, which can be raised to 400 mm using an extract mode and this ensures that the SUV can wade through more than 800 mm deep water.

With close to 1,000 bhp and 15,500 Nm at your disposal, the Hummer EV is never short of enthusiasm, as I discovered during a short drive. A special Watts-to-Freedom figure ensures that the SUV reaches 0-100 kmph in a mere 3.5 seconds. There are different drive modes, too, some of which are dedicated to off-roading, while the SUV also gets an adaptive air suspension as well as torque vectoring, which promise a comfortable ride and more traction.

But this is an EV after all and what is important is range. So, despite the massive 4.5-tonne weight, the SUV comes with a claimed range of a little over 500 km. Using paddle shifts, you can choose between multiple regen levels and there’s single pedal driving, too, which ensures a longer range. A 19.4 kW standard charger takes around 10 hours to fully charge the vehicle, while a 350 kW fast charger adds a range of 160 km in just 14 minutes of charge.

Another highlight that makes the Hummer EV truly special is its Crabwalk feature. Using all-wheel steer, the rear wheels of the SUV turn in the same direction as the front wheels till certain speeds. This means the vehicle can actually move diagonally when the spaces are cramped, which can come to your rescue in many off-roading situations. Talking about safety, this Hummer comes with 6 airbags as standard along with multiple level 2 ADAS functions, including autonomous emergency braking.

The cabin is feature rich as expected from a luxury SUV. Apart from a 13.4-inch freestanding touchscreen, a digital cluster, 14-speaker Bose sound system, electric, heated and ventilated seats, wireless charger, electric parking brake and a heated steering also find a place here. Another unique feature is the Infinity roof that can be removed in parts or completely to give a unique, open-top experience.

The list of novelties just doesn’t seem to end on the Hummer EV. It’s got a massive frunk of 320 litres volume and it is electrically operated. The rear tail gate is electric, too, but what’s unusual is that it opens on the side. The SUV also has premium traits like 22-inch wheels, side steps as well as frameless doors. There are many accessories as well that can be chosen for a more exclusive and rugged look on the SUV.

So, how much will you end up paying for a vehicle like the Hummer? Friday Night Cars is quoting a price of Rs 3.85 crore, ex-showroom. The entire process of purchasing, converting and shipping could take 3-4 months so the wait isn’t very long once you place the order. What’s being promised is a warranty and service experience equivalent to what GMC offers, but what’s already certain is that the kind of exclusivity that comes with it is almost unmatched.

— The writer is associated with carandbike.com

Hummer & tongs

Shams Naqvi

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