Something that I noticed in first is the vehicle's second set of door handles behind the cockpit. While there aren't any jump seats or a pullout enclosure, this little door grants easy access to the truck's bed, similar in execution to Chevy's innovative Cheyenne concept that bowed in Detroit last year. When opened, a small step lowers itself to make climbing in less arduous. The door also gives easy access to items that may be stored in the front section of the bed, especially advantageous if the rear half of the bed is filled up. The concept also features a weather-tight compartment hidden below the door.
 |
| The H3T sports an entirely new 350-hp 3.5-liter inline-five turbo engine. (Photo: General Motors) |
It's interesting that GM chose the H3T as the canvas to present what might be an even more important introduction, a completely new engine design. Currently, only massive gas-guzzling V8s and old-world diesels are available in Hummer SUVs. The new truck features an all-new 3.5-liter inline-five turbo. This comes as a bit of a shock as Hummer has never featured an engine smaller than 6.0-liters in displacement before, nor has an H1 or H2 boasted a turbocharged gasoline powerplant. Regardless, this engine is a step forward for Hummer in technology, producing more power than both the gasoline-fuelled Vortec 6.0 V8 and Optimizer 6.5-L diesel. The inline-five cranks out a sensational 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
 |
| When cruising on paved roads the H3T's engine powers the rear wheels, but if the going gets tough power is electronically diverted to the front wheels via two differentials. (Photo: General Motors) |
As mentioned, the H3T is based on the Colorado, thus, it features many of the truck's new and improved traits. The engine powers the rear wheels when running on paved, dry roads, however, when the going gets ugly power is electronically diverted to the front wheels via two differentials. This system provides three simple advantages - a reduction in fuel consumption, less wear and tear, plus an improvement in performance. Though it is not as traditional as the H1's full-time or H2's part-time systems, it should be adequate.