Again within the day, the unique Humvee was, maybe not by coincidence, was usually in comparison with a sure Italian 4×4 multipurpose automobile. This Italian automotive was older and carried a useful badge. It additionally had an uncanny resemblance to the unique H1. It was the Lamborghini (sure, you learn that proper) LM002.
Normal Motors lately, revived the Hummer line with an all-electric configuration. The primary items bought have been the Hev pickups in 2022. Lamborghini too has some big plans for electrification. The Hummer electrical pickup was successful. What if Lamborghini may revisit the LM002? And use an all-electric configuration to compete within the U.S. market? How would a hypothetical all-electric LM002 pit in opposition to the present all-electric Hummer?
Successful Hearts And Minds
An image of a personalized Hummer H1 parked in a collectors storage.
However first, a fast historical past lesson. Again in 1983, AM General, a subsidiary of the American Motors Company, received a contract with the U.S. Military. This contract was for the manufacturing of 55,000 automobiles over 5 years. The automobile in query was the unique M998 A0 sequence or the Hummer H1.
The unique navy mannequin tipped the scales at 11,500 kilos. It had a payload of three,350 kilos and got here with a 6.5 Liter turbocharged V-8 diesel engine. It had a 3-speed automated transmission. This was a somewhat easy however resistant and dependable powertrain. The engine produced 190 horsepower at 3,400 rpm. Contemplating its low energy output and excessive weight, it comes as no shock it wasn’t a really quick automobile.
Its service within the US Navy ran between 1983 via 2018. The Excessive Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Automobile (HMMWV), in any other case referred to as Humvee, first noticed fight throughout Operation Simply Trigger in Panama, in 1989. It then went on to serve in most subsequent U.S. navy operations till its retirement in 2018.
This automobile served its function effectively. Not solely in fight but in addition as a road-legal product within the US. The American public first obtained to know the Humvee throughout the Gulf Struggle of 1990 and 1991. For the primary time, there was a variety of tv protection of a warfare. The Humvee grew to become a protagonist on the small display. The brute, purpose-driven design of the automobile captured the eye of the American public.
A lot so {that a} civilian model of the H1 went into manufacturing in 1992. This marked the start of the Hummer Model. In 1999 Normal Motors purchased the model title and marketed and bought three civilian variations: The Unique H1, and later the Hummer H2 and H3 variants. Manufacturing resulted in 2010.
The Rambo Lambo
A frontal shot of a crimson Lamborghini LM002 in opposition to a gray background.
The LM002 was produced between 1986 and 1993. Similar to the unique Hummer, the LM002 too was made for navy use. Being a Lamborghini, nonetheless, the efficiency had its place within the mannequin. It featured a robust naturally aspirated 5.2 Liter, gasoline V-12. It produced 450 horsepower at 6800 rpm. With a curb weight of 5952 kilos and a five-speed guide transmission, it may go from 0-60 MPH in 7.9 seconds. And it might attain 117 MPH. It is a uncommon automotive and solely about 300 examples have been made.
Jusr just like the Hummer, Lamborghini labored on a civilian mannequin variant too. This time, the automotive had a extra luxurious Italian inside, air-con, and a superb stereo. And as if the unique 5.2 Liter V-12 wasn’t sufficient on the time, you might order a particular model named L804. This one got here with a 7.2 Liter V-12 marine engine utilized in offshore powerboats.
The Electrical Wars
The GMC Hummer EV cruising on the highway
At the moment, the one format provided within the Hummer is the one with three electrical motors. That makes a complete of 1000 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque in accordance with GM’s estimates. Some impartial checks confirmed a 0-60 MPH time of solely 3.3 seconds.
A full-size electrical pickup accelerating that quick appears to already be pushing the road a bit. It will be cheap to imagine that Lamborghini would use an identical configuration. Maybe with a bit extra energy, being a Lamborghini and all. The Hummer checks confirmed a protracted stopping distance and noticeable brake fade. The all-electric LM002 could be superior, given Lamborghini’s expertise with high-performance automobiles.
Vary, Inside, Security Options, And Facilities
The vary of the Hummer is greater than 350 miles as per GM’s estimates. Since a pickup is predicted to hold weight on the mattress and have tow capabilities, that vary may drop to sub 200 miles.
The identical could be anticipated of the Lamborghini. Being extra performance-driven, it’s tough to think about the designers would add extra heavy batteries for the sake of vary.
The Hummer EV has an incredible inside. It has all you’d count on for a automotive with a price ticket starting within the six-figure vary. Security options have turn out to be a form of commodity on high-end automobiles and each could be equal in that side. The Lamborghini, being a premium model, would deliver luxurious inside design and supplies. The value of the Lamborghini would seemingly be larger than that of the Hummer.
Conclusion
A rear shot of a Hummer EV wheel spinning whereas turning off-road
The all-electric Hummer has confirmed to be an incredible full-size pickup. Prior to now, when the unique H1 was in comparison with Lamborghini’s LM002, it was clear that the H1 targeted on sturdiness, whereas the LM002 targeted on efficiency. Their civilian variants carried over lots of the identical traits. Whichever could be greatest on the battlefield is difficult to say. Lamborghini’s excessive mobility multipurpose navy automobile by no means noticed actual motion.
However it might be arduous to work on six double-barrel carburetors behind enemy strains. That might be the rationale the LM002 didn’t promote effectively in its navy variant, whereas the H1 bought within the lots of of 1000’s. The Lamborghini was, regardless, the primary true efficiency SUV ever conceived. That heritage and pedigree should depend for one thing. Simply take a look at their latest success with the Lamborghini Urus.
