The hot new version of the Chevrolet Avalanche and a cool new technology from OnStar are the big stories from the Chicago auto show later this week, but General Motors has already revealed details of some new interpretations of its Hummer brand.
In mass market terms, the big news has to be the developments in the smallest and least expensive Hummer, the H3, which looks gigantic and threatening in a photo but is actually about the size of a mid-size sedan and therefore more manageable and more fuel-efficient.
Less than a year after the H3 went on sale, Hummer is debuting a model called the H3 X this summer in Canada and the U.S. According to Susan Docherty, the Canadian who is now Hummer's general manager, the 2007 H3 X "is intended to appeal to buyers with an interest in a customized appearance. It also injects new energy into the Hummer lineup, while delivering the brand's trademark iconic bold design and unmatched off-road prowess."
The unique trick of the H3 X, Docherty says, is that it "enables buyers to enjoy the appearance of a personalized, accessorized truck available directly from the factory. It's intended for those who want to make a personal style statement and differentiate themselves from other H3 owners."
The H3 X begins with an H3 equipped with the Luxury package, chrome tube steps, appearance package and fuel door, but it also includes a body-color grille and spare tire cover, unique tires, wheels and center cap, a brush guard, and embroidered head restraints.
Consumers can further personalize their H3 X with any of the H3's eight exterior colors and three leather interiors.
The H3 X will be powered by the same Vortec 3500 V6 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing that motivates the other versions of the model. That means it gets 220 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. This can be attached to either a five-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
Hummer is also planning more limited-edition models of its H2 model later in 2006.
The 2006 Pacific Blue and Fusion Orange limited-edition SUVs include all of H2's standard features, Docherty explains, with a unique exterior and uplevel premium appearance package featuring chrome exterior accents and carbon fiber interior elements.
This limited edition also has a heated windshield wiper system with warm fluid that removes snow, ice and debris, and a rear-seat DVD system with dual headrest-mounted viewing screens and wireless headphones.
There'll also be 2007 Fusion Orange and Pacific Blue limited edition versions of the H2 SUT (which has a small pickup bed at the back of a regular SUV cabin), including a rear-vision camera system, body-color brush guard and tail lamp protection.
In addition, says Docherty, they have a heated windshield wiper system with warm fluid, and a rear-seat DVD system with dual headrest-mounted viewing screens and wireless headphones. This model will be available in the next couple of months.
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
Less than a year after the H3 went on sale, Hummer is debuting a model called the H3 X this summer in Canada and the U.S. According to Susan Docherty, the Canadian who is now Hummer's general manager, the 2007 H3 X "is intended to appeal to buyers with an interest in a customized appearance. It also injects new energy into the Hummer lineup, while delivering the brand's trademark iconic bold design and unmatched off-road prowess."
The unique trick of the H3 X, Docherty says, is that it "enables buyers to enjoy the appearance of a personalized, accessorized truck available directly from the factory. It's intended for those who want to make a personal style statement and differentiate themselves from other H3 owners."
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
Consumers can further personalize their H3 X with any of the H3's eight exterior colors and three leather interiors.
The H3 X will be powered by the same Vortec 3500 V6 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing that motivates the other versions of the model. That means it gets 220 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. This can be attached to either a five-speed manual transmission or a Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
Hummer is also planning more limited-edition models of its H2 model later in 2006.
The 2006 Pacific Blue and Fusion Orange limited-edition SUVs include all of H2's standard features, Docherty explains, with a unique exterior and uplevel premium appearance package featuring chrome exterior accents and carbon fiber interior elements.
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
There'll also be 2007 Fusion Orange and Pacific Blue limited edition versions of the H2 SUT (which has a small pickup bed at the back of a regular SUV cabin), including a rear-vision camera system, body-color brush guard and tail lamp protection.
In addition, says Docherty, they have a heated windshield wiper system with warm fluid, and a rear-seat DVD system with dual headrest-mounted viewing screens and wireless headphones. This model will be available in the next couple of months.