Hummer H2 will come with an E85 engine from next year. Photo Gallery
The massive Hummer H2 will be a little greener next year.
General Motors says the large SUVs will be offered with a flex-fuel engine that can run on 85 per cent ethanol made from vegetables.
By 2010, Hummer general manager Martin Walsh says every Hummer will get an E85-ready powertrain.
"A Hummer's off-road capability and care for the environment are in no way mutually exclusive. This is simply one more step in our effort to promote responsible adventure," he said.
"While scientists, environmentalists and consumers debate the cleaner, greener status of corn-based ethanol, GM counters that it's working on developing sources of ethanol derived from non-food plants and from waste."
GM has promised to put more than three million flex-fuel vehicles on the road and have half of its vehicles with E85-capable engines by 2012.
In Queensland, there are a few service stations in north Queensland pumping E85 and only one in Brisbane.
A new ethanol plant is close to completion at Dalby, west of Toowoomba.
Saab is the only car company that sells a new car capable of running E85 fuel in this country.
GM Holden, under the GM Premium Brands banner, imports the small Hummer H3 in right-hand drive while Gympie-based Performax International converts the H2 to right-hand drive.
Meanwhile, one British university engineer has turned a H3 into the ultimate big boy's toy.
Dr James Brighton has converted his H3 into a life-sized, remote-controlled toy.
"Converting the Hummer H3 into the super-sized remote control car took a month to complete but we've had lots of fun in the process," said Dr Brighton.
The real H3 and the remote-controlled vehicle are capable of climbing a 407mm vertical wall, traversing a 40 per cent side slope and operating in up to 610mm of water.
GM Premium Brands has sold 245 H3s since its release late last year in Australia.
