Remember, to get the 200kW Ultium battery pack, it will cost you plenty more (like the Lightning ER) to the tune of $80K.
It's running a full Android OS layer and GM partnered with Google for turn-key development. This also has a lot to do with why GM is dropping CarPlay, they're going with a full Android turn-key system. Having used the same software in my time playing with the Hummer EV, it all works pretty well. The interface pretty much sucks and leaves a lot to be desired, I don't really feel they have any advantage over Ford in that department, but it's snappy and lots of info and features. It has access to the Play Store although available apps are limited, it seems that apps need GM's approval to be there (for now).
It should be more efficient than the lightning, I bet it gets close to 300 for the lower range model.
Is the Chevy Silverado EV a unibody or chassis on frame design ?
It's a a hybrid unibody of sorts. The battery pack and some structural components for motors, drivetrain, etc.. bolt up underneath. The pack is structurally supportive of itself and adds to the rest of the vehicle. That's a big part of why these trucks, the Hummer EV, Lyriq, etc.. are so heavy. It also lets them build a much larger battery pack.
They're using a skateboard like Rivian, so it's not exactly the same as a unibody but it's also not a typical body on frame like the f-150.
Body on frame design has an advantage:
Aerodynamics is the same. Weight ( rolling resistance ) has much less impact on efficiency. I would expect one level (half) the batteries will be eliminated on low trim (100 KWh). City consumtion should not be that different from Lightning and highway same or slightly worse than Rivian. My guess is 260 mile max with much better payload than RST and either more headroom or better ground clearance.
Honestly both are so far off the radar for me I don't even know. The Hummer is like $120k or something ridiculous but they've made so few of them good luck ever getting a new one and I'm sure used prices are through the roof still.
Android isn't a technical reason not to support CarPlay. There are plenty of Android based aftermarket head units that support CarPlay just fine. It's just an app (and a dongle if your head unit doesn't have the right hardware).
It really depends on what you use your truck for. How many times have you removed the bed from your truck? Did you ever put it back on? What did you attach your custom bumpers to? How heavy is your 5th wheel? What kind of winch do you use? V-plow, or straight blade? Sail pillar in the way of your slide-in?
Of course there is no technical reason, I never said there was. This is GM and Google, primarily Google, not supporting CarPlay by choice. It technically doesn’t support Android Auto either, but since it’s a full Android system it’s just like setting up another android device that shares all your stuff. For those running an android ecosystem, this is already better than AA. While I prefer CarPlay, I’m a tech guy and software developer and I use both Android and Apple, my biggest complaint here is how GM is currently gatekeeping app access to their store. Not sure what the eventual plan is here, but it seems there’s already a Waze app and a few others people are running native on the Hummer EV, which is the same system.
I think the Lyriq is about $77,000 and the Hummer, like you said, $120,000.
