Five Things You May Not Know About The Hummer H1

January 9th, 2009 by Shenron

Easily one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road today is the Hummer H1. The H1 is manufactured by AM General and is based on the all-terrain Humvee which is built for use by the American military. The vehicle gained its popularity after off road enthusiasts witnessed its performance during the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. The Hummer H1 is built with the intention that it be the ultimate off road vehicle. There are a number of specifications from its high ground clearance to wide wheel base that make it perfect for driving in deep mud, as well as rocky and rutted out areas. While intended for off road driving, the uniqueness of the appearance of the vehicle combined with the high cost that is prohibitive to some has also turned it into a trendy vehicle for urban drivers to own. With these vehicles on the road seemingly every where these days, a great deal is known about them, but here are five things you may not know about the Hummer H1.

To gain its high clearance, the Hummer H1 makes use of a unique design in the placement of its driveline. The driveline is actually elevated when compared to standard vehicles and run down a channel between the left and right seats of the vehicle.
The Hummer H1 began production in 1992 and ended in 2006. During its production run, there was a big difference in suggested retail prices from when the vehicle made its debut to when it ceased production. In 1992, the basic open top model price was sent at $40,500 and in 2006 the suggested retail price for the open top model was $129,399.
Despite its popularity with a niche market, General Motors ended production of the famous Hummer H1 in 2006. General Motors cites the primary reason behind the decision that production of the Hummer H1 would cease following 2006 as the new emission laws for Diesel engine powered vehicles that would take effect in 2007 would make it difficult to get the vehicle to conform.
Though not the most popular option and not widely available, there was actually a 3-speed transmission version of the Hummer H1 available at times during its production run.
The Hummer H1 has an unusual appearance in its overall shape when compared to most vehicles. The stock measurements of the Hummer H1 make it 7.5 inches wider (86.5 in.) than it is tall (79 in.).

Many people have many different reasons for owning and driving their Hummer H1. While some love the vehicle for its go-anywhere capability, others like the style and attitude that comes from riding around in this military styled off road vehicle. The Hummer H1 came onto the market in the mid 1990s and quickly became one of the more popular four wheel drive vehicles manufactured at the time even though it was not really marketed as a mainstream automobile. Those that purchased them quickly learned that they were not the most fuel friendly vehicles on the market, but this usually didn’t cause a problem as that wasn’t the main motivation in getting one in the first place. What appeared to be a minor trend in off road vehicles when it started eventually developed into an iconic 1990s vehicle. The Hummer H1 is positioned to be a classic vehicle in the future based solely on the fact that it truly was a one of a kind vehicle with very few immitators. Like them or not, the Hummer H1 made its impact on the automotive market in a big way… in more ways than one.

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2009 Hummer H3T

November 29th, 2008 by Justin

The Hummer brand is a great 4×4 vehicle and beloved (maybe only) by 4×4 enthusiasts, but the H3T is a good vehicle under a very unpopular badge name. And while the Hummer brand is on the sales block as GM struggles to stay alive- as of yet there are no buyers. Even with these negatives, there is no reason not to check out the 2009 model H3T. While this four door 4×4 comes equipped with a short bed and off road capabilities, it should be noted that it does have a smaller engine and while extremely capable of simple trails will probably spend its time on the road in a long commute.

The H3T is perfect for those that require some utility and extra room in the cabin for friends and family. This vehicle seats five pretty comfortably and has a long enough bed to carry items as well. The engine is decent, but for most may be a drop underpowered. The power plant is a 3.7 liter that creates 242 horsepower. While the curb weight has yet to be announced for the 2009 model year, expect something heavy which should make fuel efficiently less than positive- but you probably knew this fact already- it’s a Hummer.

Besides a less than stellar power plant, the other components are decent and include the following: a MA5 Five Speed Transmission, 9.1 inch clearance, a towing capacity of 5,900 max, an independent SLA suspension with torsion bar, stabilizer bar, Hotchkiss leaf springs and 16 inch Bridgestone Dueler tires with ABS. While the Outside of this vehicle says all Hummer, the engine and components are not necessarily made for serious off roading. However, if you just want a vehicle that is big and brawny then the Hummer H3T is a great pick. For purists, the other Hummers are the real deal, if you have a choice, opt for Jeep than a H3T.

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3 Top Rated 4×4’s

November 11th, 2008 by Justin

If you are a 4×4 enthusiast and looking for a new vehicle that is top rated in the industry, here are 3 vehicles that should definitely grab your attention. 4×4’s have come a long way since the early Jeeps and while the Jeep brand is represented in this short list, two new comers also make an appearance. Here’s the list:

The 2008 Jeep Rubicon
Again Jeep does it again. The Jeep Rubicon is a solid performer with a punchy engine, reliable body and very nice looks. Perfect for the toughest trails, rock crawling or even the road, you can easily pull the top down and enjoy some fun in the sun. The Jeep is also one of the most budget friendly 4×4’s on the list at an impressive $28K.

The Hummer H3
While not on any environmentalist’s best of the year, the Hummer H3 has a bark that is worst than its bite. The H3 is considered a mid-size SUV and while it definitely is not full size, it does convey a bulky impression. With a reasonably low base price of $33K, this vehicle not only performs off road, but for all you enthusiasts that like to turn heads, even if the heads have to look up, this vehicle has nice road manners and is nice looking as well.

Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV
Our list would not be complete without a nice luxury SUV. While the Land Cruiser is a hefty 4×4, many won’t ever see a dirt trail. That is fine by many, however even with its luxury reputation the Land Cruiser is extremely comfortable in the dirt and a fine performer. Unfortunately, the only downside is the price- starting at about $65K.

Well, there you have the 3 top performers for 2008, while not necessarily the best in the bunch, these 3 vehicles all have something to offer any 4×4 enthusiast.

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Hummer H3T

October 22nd, 2008 by Justin

The Hummer epitomizes the 4×4 vehicle. Originally made for military purposes, this vehicle received world wide acclaim and became a hallmark of GM during the early 2000’s. While the Hummer is usually on the worst green vehicle lists year after year for incredibly poor fuel efficiency, thousands continue to buy this huge 4×4. The Hummer easily conveys toughness, authority and brute strength and with the 2009 H3T model also practicality.

The 2009 H3T Impresses
This Hummer is based on the H3 vehicle which has gained some notoriety as being a mid-size truck that still packs the design cues of the original and larger Hummers. Besides offering a 5 seat crew cab, it also offers plenty of functionality with a large enough 1.5 meter bed. This way you get both a cross over of a pick up truck, SUV and some may say a Jeep. With so much to offer it is no reason that this vehicle should be a success the coming year even in a down market for the auto industry.

Highlights of the Hummer H3T
There are two engines available with the H3T and they include: a 3.7 liter with limited power- only creating 273 horsepower, but offering decent fuel economy and a larger 5.3 liter V8 creating 300 hp and 320 lbs of torque. Besides the engines the H3T comes with quite a list of highlights including a full time four wheel drive with monster 32 inch tires. Rear view camera system, skid plates, hill start assist, a variety of suspensions offered and much more.

Bottom Line
The 2009 Hummer H3T looks like a winner and is full to the brim with plenty of features that definitely add value. For those looking for an extreme vehicle that offers plenty of practicality on and off road the H3T definitely delivers.

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Hummer H2 2008 – Overview

May 6th, 2008 by Shenron

After five years on the market, the Hummer H2 is no longer a shock to see when it rolls down the freeway. For those that are unaware, the H2 is a smaller version of the much larger Hummer H1 which was originally designed for military use. Though the H2 is smaller, it is still a large SUV and offers many of the standard SUV options and benefits, but also goes a step or two farther. The H2 is definitely not anything like the military version of the Hummer though, it is a far more luxurious ride with a great deal of comfortable additions.

The 2008 Hummer H2 is basically the same in terms of the exterior, when you have that popular of a look why mess with it? The interior however has been completely overhauled and updated with the addition of premium materials that give off a definite air of luxury. The dash has been redesigned and includes space large enough to hold a notebook computer or other materials that the driver may need close at hand. There have been safety upgrades as well with more airbags included in the newer model. One of the upgrades that most people have taken to is the passenger capacity, there is an option available to add a two passenger third bench seat that when in use increases the capacity of the H2 from five people to seven.

The luxury doesn’t end there though, some of the other things included in the 2008 Hummer H2 include:

-OnStar Navigation System.
-Six Disc Bose Audio CD System with Satellite Radio enabled.
-Heated seats.
-Remote vehicle starting system.
-Dual zone climate control system.
-Power adjustable seats.

There is no shortage of power when it comes to the 2008 Hummer H2, all of the available models are powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The biggest downside to the all wheel drive 2008 Hummer H2 is its gas mileage which measures in at right around 10 miles per gall on the highway.

For those that dare, there are also many specialty features that can be included as options depending on what model is purchased. These include:

-Front brush guard.
-Chrome accents
-Aluminum roof rack.
-Rear viewing camera system.
-Sunroof.
-Fold down two person third row seat.
-MP3 capable Bose surround sound system.
-Side steps.
-Back seat DVD system.

If a luxurious SUV is what someone is seeking, they cannot go wrong with the 2008 Hummer H2. It provides all the power and all-terrain ability that most people will ever need, coupled with more luxury items than many cars possess. There are reasons that heads turn when an H2 drives down the freeway, it truly is a one of a kind vehicle.

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