The Hummer H3 has an iconic look, but is far more than "just another" SUV - it has serious off-road capabilities
Heading Bush In The Hummer
We've always had a place for 4WDs here in Australia, and
not just a huge load luggers for city driving either. Serious
off-roading is still a activity taken very seriously by a considerable
amount of 4WD owners, but how will this American rock-hopper rate among
the die-hards? It's off-road credentials are quite impressive and with
class-leading approach and departure angles it could appeal to more
than just the city crowd who want a scary looking SUV. No diesel option
will hurt (but this change in 2008), but the pre-order list is strong
and GM are confident of strong sales.
Oh, and check out the video
of the H3 getting air if you have a spare minute. Though potentially
damaging to the front end upon touch down, it's very cool nevertheless.
-
Feann Torr, Editor
Melbourne,
Australia —
Despite it's overbearing design the Hummer H3 is not the largest 4WD on
sale in Australia, and will fit into most Aussie garages. On sale this
week priced from $51,990, the Hummer H3
promises to be one of the most rugged cars off the road, and one of the
most unmissable vehicle on the road.
Hummer, part of the overarching General Motors
brand, has had more than 400 pre-orders for the vehicle long before it
even went on sale and according to the company Hummer is one of the most recognisable brands in the world.
The original Humm-Vee
was an US Military vehicle that was made popular after the Governator,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, had one converted for civilian use. This Hummer
H3 is different from the military version in many ways - it's not as
big, has a different engine type, and doesn't cost as much. Pricing for
the new 4x4 range is as follows:
H3: $51,990 (manual) $53,990 (automatic)
Features:
Cruise control, electro-chromatic rearview mirror with eight point
compass, power windows, fog lights and halogen headlamps, 16-inch alloy
wheels, remote entry with panic alarm, single in-dash CD stereo,
cloth seats and 60/40 split rear seats.
H3 Luxury: $59,990
(automatic)
Features:
Automatic transmission standard, leather seat inserts, electric heated
front seats with eight way power adjustment, leather wrapped steering
wheel, exterior chrome package including door handles, roof cross bars
and mirror caps, 6-disc in-dash CD Monsoon sound system and glass
sunroof.
H3 Adventure: $57,990
(manual) $59,990
(automatic)
Features:
Manual transmission as standard (optional automatic), the same level of
specification as the Luxury model (excluding sunroof), adding a fully
locking electronic rear differential and heavy duty two-speed transfer
case with a super low range ratio of 4.03:1 for serious
off-road performance.
Metallic paint is a
$1,200 option on all models, and Hummer is confident that the three
model range will provide 4x4 customers with enough choice. Director of GM Premium Brands, Parveen Batish, said
the H3's Australian launch is part of a successful global roll-out for
Hummer: "The H3 has proved
itself in some of world's most challenging environments from
Australia's Rocky Track to the famous Rubicon Trail."
"This outstanding
off-road performance, together with its iconic design and city-friendly
size make it the ideal vehicle to launch the brand in this market,"
added Mr Batish.
The company says the
first customers to order an H3 earlier this year have started taking
delivery of their cars this month, and
all models are powered by a 3.7-litre 5-cylinder petrol engine
available with auto and manual transmissions. Peak power of
180kW @ 5600rpm and
torque of 328Nm @ 4600rpm are transferred to all four wheels, and
Hummer says that 90% of peak torque
available between 2000 and 6000rpm.
The official
fuel consumption figures for the combined cycle (highway/urban driving)
is
13.8 litres (manual) and 14.5 litres per 100km (automatic), which is in
line
with similar mid-size SUVs.
Hummer is also touting
the H3's city driving credentials, saying it's turning circle
of 11.3 metres is comparable to an average
size passenger car. But the H3 is most at home on the rough stuff, with
plenty of ride height and rugged chassis to deal with challenging 4WD
tracks and bush trails.
According to Hummer, the H3 offers a choice of two
electronically controlled 2-speed Borg-Warner transfer cases. The
standard transfer case available on H3 and Luxury
models delivers a crawl ratio of 45.1:1 in manual form, and
36.8:1 for automatic. The H3 Adventure specification is the most
rugged, and takes the vehicle's off-road capability to the next level
with a strong crawl ratio of 68.9:1 in manual transmission, and 56.2:1
in automatic.
When the Hummer H3 is used in daily driving
situations, it has a full-time 4WD system that delivers a 40:60
front-to-rear torque split when the '4 HIGH OPEN' mode is engaged. Of
course when conditions change and snow, ice or sand needs to be
considered, the '4 HIGH LOCK' changes the drive ratio and torque split,
and Hummer says this mode locks torque at 50:50
front-to-rear and drive is transferred to the front or rear wheels as
needed.
The '4 LOW LOCK' mode is for
the most difficult and challenging off-road situations
and creates a totally different set of gear ratios. In the H3
and H3 Luxury models, the transfer ratio is 2.64:1 and the H3
Adventure model boasts a transfer ratio of 4.03:1, which is the most
aggressive transfer ratio GM has installed in a production vehicle.
Furthermore, all H3 models come
standard with StabiliTrak, a stability enhancement system, plus
traction control,
ABS and dynamic rear proportioning brakes. Dual front airbags and
curtain
bags covering front and rear passengers are also standard on all models.
Right-hand drive
Australian versions of the Hummer H3 are built in South Africa, at GM's Struandale assembly facility in Port
Elizabeth, then imported here. The company has confirmed that 22 Hummer dealers have been appointed around
Australia with representation in every state and territory, some of
which represent a selection of existing premium Saab,
Holden and combined dealerships.
"Australians are clearly excited by the Hummer
brand,
and we're finding our buyers are confident, independent minded and
embrace the H3 for bringing a sense of fun and adventure to their
lives," Mr Batish said.
