2008 HUMMER H2 delivers greater capability and comfort
Source: GM Europe
Apr 10, 2008 - 5:10:09 PM
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For 2008, the iconic HUMMER H2 features numerous changes that deliver a more
luxurious, comfortable and refined interior, while retaining HUMMER’s legendary
off-road abilities and ruggedness. An all-new powertrain combines a 6.2-litre V8
petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission to deliver much improved
efficiency, while state-of-the-art safety features are now standard.
In
the UK, three HUMMER H2 models are available priced from £48,995 (on-the-road)
with a choice of five-door SUV, with seating for up to seven people or SUT
(double-cab pick-up) body styles.
All 2008 H2 models are distinguished
from previous models by larger openings in the iconic, seven-slot grille and the
lower grille (to accommodate the increased cooling air-flow demands of more
powerful V8 engine) and the lower bumpers are painted silver, instead of black.
Two new exterior metallic colours are available (Graystone and Solar Flare)
expanding the customer choice to six colours, while the interior is available in
Ebony or Sedona Red/Ebony with leather seat surfaces.
“The 2008 HUMMER
H2 represents a major step in the evolution of this iconic vehicle,” comments
Jonathan Nash, Managing Director HUMMER UK. “From performance to comfort to
safety and overall refinement, the new H2 line-up delivers even more of what
customers have come to expect from HUMMER. I’m sure that customers will be
especially impressed with the new, more refined interior.”
All-new, luxury-appointed interior
While
drivers will enjoy the 2008 H2’s improved performance on the road, they’ll
appreciate the experience more – thanks to the all-new interior. This features a
completely redesigned dashboard, new seats – including an optional third-row
seat for two passengers– new door trim panels, new controls, new rear-seat
heating/air conditioning system, new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system
and a new premium audio system.
“The new interior delivers a more
refined, more precise, premium feel,” enthuses Nash. “Everything from the
flushness of the controls to the feel of the materials exudes craftsmanship,
while the fine details, like the leather seat piping, create a consistent,
up-market design style that is echoed across the entire HUMMER family.”
The new H2 seats present a more sculptured appearance and offer improved
comfort. The top anchorage of the front seat belts is now mounted on the
B-pillar rather than on the seats and this change enabled engineers to adopt an
uncompromising approach to achieving optimum seat comfort.
Complementing
the new seats are new door trim panels and throughout the cabin soft-touch
materials and new, more tactile controls enhance the feeling of craftsmanship
demonstrated by a new interior. Precision design ensures that the interior panel
gaps are just one millimetre and an all-new instrument panel with a six-gauge
instrument cluster features a more refined appearance.
The dashboard
panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout
the vehicle – particularly for the second-row and third-row seat occupants. The
new centre stack houses the climate controls and a new premium BOSE audio and
surround sound system.
Additional comfort and convenience features that
are standard or optional (depending on model) include a new rear-seat overhead
DVD entertainment system, a satellite navigation system, a rear-view camera
system and heated windshield washer fluid. The 2008 H2 now comes with a remote
starting system that enables the vehicle’s interior to be heated or cooled prior
to driving.
Driving experience
The powerful heart of the
2008 H2 is an all-new, all-aluminium, small-block 6.2-litre V8 engine with
performance and fuel efficiency-optimizing technologies including variable valve
timing. Lighter and more powerful, the new V8 boasts a 20% power increase over
the previous engine. It generates 393 ps of power at 5700 rpm and a massive 574
Nm of torque at 4300 rpm.
The new engine is mated to a new Hydra-Matic
6L80 six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with two
overdrive ratios that help deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel
economy. The six gears feature a wide ratio spread with a low 1st
gear (4.02:1) for brisk take-off from standstill and high 5th
(0.85:1) and 6th gear (0.66:1) for quite, refined and fuel-stretching
higher speed cruising.
For a more responsive driving experience, the
6L80 transmission is equipped with HUMMER’s ‘tap up/tap down’ capability that
allows the driver to manually select gears sequentially (one at a time),
controlling upshifts and downshifts with buttons on the steering wheel.
The new powertrain combination helps the 2008 H2 deliver an additional
1700 lb (773 kg) of towing capacity – up from 6500 lb (2954 kg) to 8200 pounds
(3727 kg). A host of additional powertrain revisions also contributes to the
H2’s improved performance and efficiency. These revisions including: a
larger-capacity cooling system, an electric engine cooling fan which reduces
‘drag’ on engine, releasing more horsepower, a regulated voltage control that
maximises fuel economy (by charging electrical components only when necessary),
a new LAN electrical architecture that’s more efficient and uses less electrical
energy and a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio as standard.
On-road, the H2 driving
experience is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, re-tuned engine air
intake and exhaust systems. On- and off-road, enhanced performance is assured by
a revised steering system that has a quicker ratio and improved on-centre feel
with increased self-centring.
Off-road, the H2’s 4x4 system has even
greater ability in keeping with its legendary status. The transfer case is
stronger, the ‘crawl’ ratio is 39.7:1 – an improvement of about 20%, the
transmission’s ‘tap-up / tap-down’ system provides more control on gradients and
the new electronic traction control system is standard.
Upgraded
Safety as Standard
Complementing the 2008 H2 line-up’s performance
and comfort improvements are significant enhancements to the vehicle’s safety
systems, which include several new standard features:
- Roof rail-mounted full length curtain air bags with rollover sensing system
- Front seats safety belt pretensioners
- Electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
- New traction control system
- Tire pressure monitoring system
Also new is an emergency brake
assist (EBA) system – the first application of this technology on a full-size GM
truck or SUV. This electronic system detects when a driver is braking unusually
severely and delivers maximum brake pressure to help stop the vehicle more
quickly and with more control. It is a standard feature on all 2008 H2 models.
An additional feature that contributes to a safer driving experience is
the new Rear Vision System – a rear view camera that monitors the area behind
the vehicle to ensure safe reversing. The camera’s image is shown on a drop-down
mini-screen which slides out of the rear-view mirror. The RVS system is standard
on Luxury models and available as an option on the Adventure (£850).
True to the soul of HUMMER
While the 2008 H2 is offered
with a new powertrain and new interior, its foundations remain the same, true to
the soul of HUMMER. The H2’s fully welded ladder-type chassis frame features a
modular, three-piece design incorporating a number of hydroformed components.
This design delivers outstanding strength, stiffness and dimensional accuracy.
To achieve its exceptional and legendary off-road performance –
including travelling through 508 mm deep streams, climbing over 406-mm steps and
rocks, powering up 60% gradients, coping with 40% slide slopes and paddling
through deep sand or snow – the H2 engine delivers massive (574 Nm) torque via a
six-speed transmission and heavy duty 4x4 drivetrain with 39.7:1 crawler ratio
and lockable rear differential.
The H2 has short overhangs for radical
approach and departure angles, and exceptional ground clearance for minimal
grounding on trails. Standard 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front
suspension and a five-link rear suspension provide superior handling, carrying
and towing capability. The solid rear axle ensures durable sure-footedness,
particularly in tight, off-road situations. Also standard is extensive underbody
protection for the engine and transmission components.
A new,
four-channel anti-lock braking and traction control system (ABS/TCS) provides
optimum control on slippery surfaces. In addition, the ABS is calibrated to
detect and adjust its braking capabilities to rough off-road surfaces like
gravel and potholes. The new TCS allows the driver to use a two-foot driving
technique (one foot on the brake, the other on the throttle pedal), to achieve
the best driving style for negotiating a steep, rocky trail. The TCS also
includes the ability to gain traction through a single wheel. A self-levelling
rear air spring suspension system is available for extreme off-road and towing
requirements.
H2 SUT – maximum utility and fun
Like the
HUMMER H2, the H2 SUT can carry passengers and cargo, but does so with a twist
of extra versatility – a pick-up style open cargo bed enables convenient storage
of larger items. When more cargo space is required, a 2440 x 1220 mm pick-up bed
can be created by powering the rear window into the Midgate, and then folding
forward both the Midgate and rear seat backrest. When four occupants are on
board, the bulkhead at the rear of the SUT’s passenger compartment remains
upright, still providing ample cargo-carrying capacity.
Practicality
aside, the H2 SUT also offers an open, invigorating driving experience. At the
push of a single button, the driver can lower all four side windows and the rear
window. Using a separate switch, the standard sunroof can also be opened, giving
SUT a truly open-air ambience.
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