2006 Hummer H2 Limited Edition Suv on 2040-cars

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5 classic trucks and their polarizing modern revivals

EVs are helping eliminate Detroit's gas-guzzling problem. Some revivals of gas-powered classics are getting the EV treatment.  But not every revived model looks exactly like its original counterpart. We're in a new era of hulking Detroit metal, and you can thank EVs. Americans can't get enough of their big, beefy trucks and SUVs. But for many years, some of the biggest gas guzzlers fell out of fashion as gas prices rose and emissions regulations tightened. But in the past few years, some of the most iconic American truck nameplates have been brought back to life with electric motors, like the GMC Hummer. In other cases, as with the Ford Bronco, improvements in engine technology and more interest in rugged adventure vehicles made a gas-powered revival possible. Even some revivals that started as gas-powered, like the Chevy Blazer and the Jeep Wagoneer, are now getting electrified spinoffs. (Even if they don't always look quite as sleek as their original inspiration.) Here are side-by-sides of five classic American trucks and their modern counterparts. The Jeep Wagoneer 1975 Jeep Wagoneer and 2024 Electric Jeep Wagoneer SStellantis After a long wait, Jeep released its revival of the classic Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in 2020. Starting later this year, an electric version of the luxury Jeep SUV will join the Wagoneer lineup. The Chevrolet Blazer A 1973 Chevrolet Blazer and a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EVGetty Images, General Motors The Chevrolet Blazer was first rebooted in 2019 as a sporty family SUV. The modern Blazer shares zero resemblance to its boxy, off-roading older sibling, but it has still managed to become one of Chevy's more popular SUVs in recent years. The Blazer EV came later, and was one of the first models GM built on its new Ultium battery platform. The Hummer A Hummer H2 and the 2023 Hummer EV pickup truckGetty Images, General Motors Once the poster child for Detroit's big, bad gas guzzlers, the Hummer got new life as an electric pickup truck in 2021. The Ford Bronco A 1971 Ford Bronco and a 2022 Ford BroncoFord Motor Co. After a rouge group of engineers and designers inside Ford spent years trying to breathe life back into the Blue Oval's boxy off-roader, the Ford Bronco was finally resurrected in 2020 amid a rise in popularity for rugged adventure vehicles. The Ford Ranger 1985 Ford Ranger and a 2024 Ford RangerFord Motor Co.

GMC Hummer EV will be unveiled during the World Series and 'The Voice'

A big-time vehicle reveal deserves a prime-time multi-platform debut. At least, that seems to be the opinion of the folks tasked with reintroducing the American public on October 20 to the Hummer nameplate, this time affixed to pickups and SUVs that also wear General Motors' "Professional Grade" GMC badge. And instead of a standalone brand with dealerships full of gas-guzzling off-road beasts, this new, kinder, gentler and fully electric Hummer won't sip any gas at all. The debut will take place across several channels. As has been the de facto process during the pandemic, the event will be streamed online. But — taking a page from the reveal of the Ford Bronco this past July — it will also be witnessed by watchers of the World Series on Fox and "The Voice" on NBC (at least those who are watching live and aren't skipping commercials). Interestingly, according to The Detroit News the television segments will be spread across multiple commercial breaks as sort of a mini film. Naturally, we'll be covering the unveiling live right here on Autoblog, and we'd argue that's the best place to see it all unfold (we admit we may be biased). In any case, no matter where you watch you'll be treated to a host of details about what GMC is calling "the worldÂ’s first super truck." We know it'll boast 1,000 horsepower, go from 0-60 in around 3 seconds, have the next generation of GM's Super Cruise autonomy technology, have removable roof panels and be able to crab walk. Sounds pretty super to us, and we're looking forward to the full reveal in just a couple of weeks. See you then. Related Video:

Canadian man saves four kids with Hummer [w/video]

A quick-thinking driver in Canada put his own life on the line last month when he drove his Hummer H3 in front of a distracted driver to save four children. Darrell Krushelnicki, 46, of Taber, Alberta, saw a car about to speed through an intersection. Four kids, whose ages ranged from three to 16 years old, were in the in the crosswalk, so Krushelnicki pulled his truck in front of a silver Pontiac Pursuit (known as the Pontiac G5 in the U.S.) to prevent them from being hit.
The identity of the other driver is unknown, but the news report says the 23-year-old male was talking on his cell phone while traveling around 80 kilometers per hour (close to 50 miles per hour) in a 30 kph speed zone (less than 20 mph). Thankfully, nobody was hurt, and while there's no word as to whether the distracted driver was ticketed, police say that they're recommending Krushelnicki for an award.
For additional details, check out the news video, which we've posted below.