Hummer H3 2008 News

In July, GM Holden will begin importing the small H3 version of the box-shaped SUV made famous in the first Gulf War and by proud owners such as Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. We will get the 3.7 litre in-line five-cylinder model, however, a 5.3-litre V8 H3 sport-ute is set for release in the US next year. GM spokesperson Emily Perry said they had no plans to bring the V8-powered Hummer to Australia and that they had nearly 150 orders for the H3 since announcing pricing and specification at the Brisbane Motor Show in February. The H3 five-cylinder petrol engine (180kW and 320Nm) will be married to either a five-speed manual or electronic four-speed automatic transmission. This compares with the US V8 Alpha version which delivers 220kW and 430Nm through a four-speed auto and 4WD. If you ache for something bigger and meaner, Performax International of Gympie converts left-hand-drive 5x2x2m H2 Hummers. The H2 boasts a six-litre Chev V8 which can be supercharged to deliver 242kW power and 495Nm torque. GM Holden will import three South African built H3 models. The base model ($51,990 manual, $53,990 auto) features stability control, traction control and ABS standard. The more off-road capable H3 Adventure ($57,990 manual, $59,990 auto) has fully locking electronic rear differential and rugged suspension. Top of the range is the Luxury with chrome trim exterior and leather interior ($59,990 auto only). GM expects to sell 750 Hummers this year and 1400-1500 in a full year.

The General Motors-made vehicle is considered one of the largest and least fuel efficient SUVs in the world and comes at a time when vehicle sales in that segment have dropped 23.1 per cent in the year to date. But that's irrelevant to the appeal of a Hummer, which Holden says needs no explanation. "There's nothing like it anywhere in the world," a spokesman said after the announcement at the Australian International Motor Show. "What it represents needs no explanation." The Hummer was originally a military and government vehicle called a Hum-Vee - an acronym for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. GM changed the branding to Hummer once it took over marketing and distribution from the military division of American Motors. The Hum-Vee saw significant action in the Gulf War and was catapulted to pop culture glory after featuring in movies such as Three Kings. Holden plans to sell the H3 Hummer, which is the smallest model on the market. "The H3 perfectly matches Australian conditions because of its size, and it has what Australians expect to see in terms of capabilities," a Holden spokesman said. The H3 Hummer is considered to have serious off-road capabilities and will compete against the Toyota Prado, Nissan Patrol, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Pricing would be announced closer to its mid-2007 availability. Holden claimed the Hummer had a shorter turning circle than the Ford Territory and also a shorter wheel base. Few Australians have seen a Hummer in the metal, with boutique importers bringing in low volumes of H2 Hummers and converting them to right hand drive. The H3 will continue to be made at GMs Port Elizabeth factory in South Africa, and will be the first factory-made right-hand drive Hummer available. Initially, the H3 would be available in Australia with a 3.7-litre inline five-cylinder petrol engine, producing peak power of 180kW at 5600rpm and peak torque of 328Nm at 4600rpm. A diesel version could also be offered at a later date. Private sales of SUV diesels grew 1.6 per cent in 2006 compared with a 12.1 per cent drop in petrol sales. FAST FACTS Engine: 3.7-litre Vortec 3700 five-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. H3 will offer an MA5 five-speed manual transmission or 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, depending on specification. Fuel economy under the US EPA city/highway measurement of 6-8 km per litre for the manual and 4-5 km per litre for the automatic. Electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system features traction control, underbody shielding and StabiliTrak control system. Safety features include roof rail-mounted side curtain air bags and rollover protection system. H3 can traverse 407mm of water at 32km/h or 610mm streams at an 8 km/h pace, 407mm vertical steps, rocks and sand. 11.3 m turning circle 216mm ground clearance and maximum break-over angle of 23.5 degrees make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving. maximum approach angle of 37.5 degrees and maximum departure angle of 34.6 degrees.