Unlike a massive old-school American V8 engine, electric motors don't make a lot of noise. That's fine for a luxury car or a daily commuter, but somewhat of an issue for the 1,000 horsepower 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup. GMC wanted to give Hummer owners a visceral experience, which is why the American automaker teamed up with Bose to create a more exciting sound system.

The standard 14-speaker Bose surround sound system in the Hummer Pickup features the first production application of the company's Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement (EVSE) technology. This system does more than just play music; it pumps in what Bose calls "custom-designed propulsion sounds."

"The GMC Hummer EV offers sensory excitement along with incredible on- and off-road performance," said chief engineer Al Oppenheiser. "The sense of sound is an important element, and we looked to our longtime partners at Bose for expertise in helping us balance the appropriate level of acoustic precision with driver input, yet not compromising the enjoyment of a near-silent EV experience."

This system uses a proprietary Bose algorithm mixed with vehicle data to drown out unwanted noises from the electric motors. It then offers different driving modes that deliver distinct sounds based on the situation. Normal driving emits a subtle layer of audio texture, Terrain Mode adds a heavier bass tone, and Off-Road Mode produces a deeper rumble. Of course, it should sound pretty good for music too.

Like what we experienced with the Mercedes-AMG EQS, the Hummer produces a special sound during its Watts To Freedom launch control mode, which gets the truck from 0-60 mph in just three seconds flat. The Hummer creates a theatrical experience to prepare drivers for the incoming acceleration. A "crafted mix of electric guitar riffs and feedback" combined with subwoofer vibrations build up as the adaptive air suspension lowers its height. If the experience is anything like the Mercedes, it should be pretty awesome.

"Launching our newest sound solution in an awesome vehicle like the GMC Hummer EV is both thrilling and rewarding," said Bose Corporation vice president Peter Kosak. "Getting behind the wheel of this supertruck is simply jaw-dropping and we can't wait for consumers to feel and hear what it's like."

We look forward to driving the new GMC Hummer Pickup later this month and hearing the Bose system for ourselves.