General Motors has officially confirmed that the first 2009 Hummer H3T sport utility truck will roll off the assembly line in Shreveport, La. in the third quarter of 2008. Planned to be presented to the public at the next week Chicago Auto show, the truck will be available in the North American market, as well as in Europe and the Middle East.
Just like all other H3's, the new H3T shares its components with the Chevrolet Colorado compact pickup truck, yet is distinctly larger than its siblings. Featuring a five-seats crew cab and a five-feet bed, the truck is reported to have a wheelbase of 3.41m, which is 8.6 cm larger than that of a 'normal' Hummer H3. The vehicle is 5343 mm long, 2161 mm wide and 1835 tall.
Equipped with a 3.7L 242 hp inline-five Vortec or 5.3 liter 300 hp V8 engine and a standard five-speed manual, the H3T can tow up to 2676 kg (5900 lb). It will be available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
See also: 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha -- the ultimate H3!
Monday, March 10, 2008
2009 Hummer H3T SUT: by the end of the summer
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
HUMMER 2008
The 2008 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT have a completely redesigned, more refined interior that combines luxury with HUMMER’s legendary ruggedness; enhanced safety features and a more powerful engine that is coupled with a new, six-speed automatic transmission. The new powertrain combination improves efficiency when compared with previous models.
The heart of the ‘08 H2 is a new, 6.2L V-8 engine that uses variable valve timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. Its preliminary rating of 293 kW (393 hp) marks an increase of about 20 percent over the previous engine and is combined with 574 Nm of torque. The engine also features lightweight materials, including an aluminum cylinder block, which helps reduce the vehicle’s overall mass.
A new six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmission backs the 6.2L engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide overall ratio – including two overdrive gears – that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a “tap up/tap down” capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shifter.
Driving experience
The new powertrain combination helps the 2008 H2 and H2 SUT deliver an additional 771 kg in towing capacity – an increase from 2,948 kg to 3,727 kg. A host of additional powertrain revisions also contributes to the H2’s improved performance and efficiency, including:
• Larger-capacity cooling system complements larger, more powerful engine
• Electric engine cooling fans reduce “drag” on engine, enabling more horsepower
• Regulated voltage control maximizes fuel economy by charging electrical components only when necessary
• New LAN electrical architecture is more efficient and uses less electrical energy
• Standard 3.73 rear axle ratio
Off-road capability is also enhanced by the new powertrain system. The 6L80 transmission’s tap up/tap down feature provides more control on grades and it offers automatic grade braking. It also improves the off-road crawl ratio to approximately 39:1 – an improvement of about 20 percent.
The transfer case is improved in the ‘08 H2; it is stronger with improved performance. A new traction control system also is standard, which helps ensure sure-footed traction.
Driving performance off the road or on is enhanced by a revised steering gear that has a quicker ratio and improved on-center returnability. The driving experience also is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, tuned air intake and exhaust systems.
All-new, luxury-appointed interior
While drivers will feel the ‘08 H2’s improved performance on the road, they’ll equally appreciate the all-new interior. It features a completely redesigned instrument panel, new seats – including a full third-row seat for two passengers – new door trim panels, new controls, new rear-seat heating/air conditioning system, new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system and a new family of premium radios.
Seats in the H2 have a new, chiseled appearance and offer improved comfort. In fact, HUMMER engineers focused on every detail to improve interior comfort. For example, the front seat safety belts are now mounted to the vehicle’s B-pillars rather than to the seats themselves. This change enabled engineers to comfort-tune the seats without making compromises. Front seat safety belt pretensioners are new, too, and are standard.
Complementing the new seats are new door trim panels and an all-new instrument panel and six-gauge instrument cluster that features a more refined appearance and better tolerances. In fact, the new interior is designed with interior gap tolerances of one millimeter or less. Soft-touch materials and new, more tactile controls enhance the feeling of craftsmanship.
A new center stack houses the climate controls and a new family of GM radios – including a standard premium Bose audio system and an available surround sound system. The instrument panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout the vehicle – particularly for the second- and third-row seats.
Numerous available comfort and convenience features are either new or carried over into the ‘08 H2, such as a new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, a rear-view camera system and heated windshield washer fluid. The ‘08 H2 also offers a remote starting system that enables the vehicle’s interior to be heated or cooled prior to driving.
Safety standard
Complementing the H2 lineup’s performance and comfort changes are enhancements to the safety system. They include several new standard features:
• Roof rail head curtain side air bags for first-, second- and third-row passengers with rollover sensing system
• Safety belt pretensioners (first-row seats)
• Electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
• New traction control system
• Tire pressure monitoring system
Also new is a panic brake assist feature – the first application for a full-size GM truck or SUV – which detects emergency braking situations and maintains maximum brake pressure to help stop the vehicle more quickly and with more control. It is a standard feature on all H2 models. Additional optional features that contribute to a safer driving experience include HUMMER’s Rear Vision System – a rearview camera system – and a navigation system.
Exterior enhancements
All 2008 H2 models are distinguished from previous models with functional changes that maintain HUMMER’s instantly recognizable design identify. The iconic, seven-slot grille features larger openings and the lower grille also is enlarged, accommodating the cooling needs of the more powerful 6.2L V-8 engines. The lower bumpers on ‘08 models are painted silver (previous models had black lower bumpers).
The soul of a HUMMER
While the ‘08 H2 is offered with a new powertrain and interior, its foundation remains the same: a fully welded ladder-type frame that features a modular, three-piece design incorporating a number of hydroformed components. This design delivers outstanding strength, stiffness and dimensional accuracy.
The H2 has short overhangs for radical approach and departure angles, along with exceptional ground clearance for minimal impact on trails. Standard 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front suspension and a five-link rear suspension provide superior handling, carrying and towing capability.
The solid rear axle ensures durable sure-footedness, particularly in tight, off-road situations. Also standard is underbody protection and rocker protection. These elements help the H2 deliver on HUMMER’s mantra of capability, including traveling through streams 508 mm deep, climbing 406-mm steps and rocks and paddling through deep sand or snow.
A new, four-channel anti-lock braking/traction control system (ABS/TCS) provides optimum control on slippery surfaces. In addition, the ABS can detect and adjust its braking capabilities to rough off-road surfaces like gravel and potholes. The TCS also includes the ability to gain traction through a single wheel if necessary, and more wheel slip in a second traction control mode for sand and desert racing conditions. A self-leveling rear air spring suspension system is available for extreme off-road and towing requirements.
H2 SUT – maximum utility and fun
Like the H2, the H2 SUT carries passengers and cargo, but does so with a twist: an open cargo bed enables convenient storage of larger items. When cargo requires more space, a 1.22 metres by 2.44 metres pickup bed can be created by powering the rear window into the Midgate, then folding forward the Midgate and rear seat. With four passengers on board, the bulkhead at the rear of the SUT’s passenger compartment remains upright, still providing ample cargo-carrying capacity.
Practicality aside, the H2 SUT also offers an open, invigorating driving experience. At the push of a single button, the driver can lower all four side windows and the rear window. Using a separate switch, the standard sunroof can also be opened, giving SUT a truly open-air feeling.
