Hummer Guy

Well we remember having the Hummer laptop, which was really just a rugged laptop with wild colors. Richibucto Computer Systems is taking the idea of a Hummer computer to another level with a personal computer in the shape of a Hummer. The Hummer PC is housed in what was originally a 1:10 scale remote control Hummer H2. This is certainly a desktop computer you wouldn’t want to stick underneath your desk! Interesting idea, but we don’t expect Hummer to lend its official license to this one…

The very first 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha has hit the ground in Dallas, TX – a pretty exiting site since they weren’t expected until several months from now! When we first saw the H3 Alpha roll up, we didn’t even notice the brand new color graphite metallic, which is very similar to the slate blue color that was discontinued in the 08 Hummer H3 models. The biggest exterior difference is the new front bumper, which is a light silver color. Hummer changed the design of the H3 front bumper to meet certain safety standards for frontal collisions. Right above the metal bumper, we noticed a newly designed mini grille. The new mini grille is designed to have more airflow to the engine area for cooling purposes. On a side note, the mini-grille lights are not compatible with the Alpha, due to them restricting airflow. The badge on the rear is identical to the Alpha badge used on the 2006 Hummer H1, and is the last of the exterior changes.

After checking out the outside – we had to get behind the wheel and see what the Hummer H3 Alpha model’s V8 could do. The difference came as soon as we started the engine, when the sound was noticeably different (at least to someone who cranks up the I5 every morning!). We’re hoping that Hummer’s performance H3 exhaust is compatible or they come out with one soon – since that would be the first powerful growl we’ve heard out of an H3. Ever! The other noticeable changes upon entry were the Alpha badge on the steering wheel, and the Alpha embroidered headrests.

Just maneuvering around the parking lot before we hit the street, we could already tell there was a lot more power in the low end, and the throttle was much more responsive. When we pulled onto the road, we let ‘er have it. Surprisingly, first gear felt a lot like the inline 5 Hummer H3, minus the extreme engine straining noise! Don’t get me wrong, you could again tell a difference in the low end, but it was nothing to write home about. When second gear hit you could again feel a difference in the low end, but much more dramatic. It was nice to see the Hummer H3 at a passing speed actually have some get-up-and-go!

At the end of the day, you’re still not going to win any speed races off the line (unless you’re racing a standard H3 ) but the change is very noticeable when you need it the most – at passing speeds.

Overall, we’re impressed with Hummer H3 Alpha, and more so the price tag of the model we tested – just over 40k ($40,600)! More pictures below!

NOTE: We did add on some steps, rails, gas door, and roof marker lamps that aren’t on the factory sticker price.

Ever wonder what its like to ride in the Team Hummer H3? The GM Marketing site igotshotgun.com recently had a contest do just that – and had the cameras rolling. The video shows the modified Hummer H3 racing through the Baja at crazy speeds. Imagine driving like that for 500 miles!

I came across an article by John McCormick, a columnist with The Detroit News, that is suggesting a ‘market based’ approach to “curbing America’s appetite for gasoline.” Under his proposal vehicles would have a fee system based on the fuel consumed by your vehicle, and the miles you drive as determined by your vehicles GPS tracking such as OnStar. McCormick suggests his “pay per use” system would encourage drivers to only use larger vehicles when they really needed to like hauling all the kids across country, and opting to take the fuel efficient sedan to work everyday.

“A serious increase in fuel taxation is the simplest way to curb America’s appetite for gasoline, but no U.S. politician has the nerve to push that option. So why don’t we leave it to consumers to make their own choices and pay the price accordingly?”

Certainly no politician wants to be labeled as the one increasing gas prices. But would it really be easier to pass pay-per-use fee legislation than a gas price incrase? All vehicles on the road (new or not) would need to be equipped with a GPS device (one would also need legislation about tampering or disabling the device, and who would pay for the retrofit for a 95 Hummer H1, or any of the millions of other vehicles not GPS equipped?), from which data would be accessible by third parties (many folks already have a problem with “Big Brother” OnStar!). Also, it doesn’t appear to take into affect how fast/aggressive you drive either, making it even more unfair for the person who is conscious of how they drive. I’m not advocating it by any means, but an increase in gas prices solves all the fairness/privacy issues. Luckily, the Hummer H2 Diesel, and E85 versions of the Hummer H3 and H2 will be out years before anything like that would ever pass. What are your thoughts?

“Oddly enough, behind the wheel, the obstacles weren’t that intimidating. Don’t get me wrong; there were plenty of deep breaths and white knuckle grips on the steering wheel as I maneuvered through the 2.9-mile craggy course. But, as my H3 co-pilot Martin Walsh, Hummer general manager, said: “You have to trust the spotters, and you have to trust the vehicle.””

With the release of the 2008 Hummer H2 and H3 Alphas right around the corner, GM is starting to give the press and other trend-setters a taste of the new models. Jill Ciminillo of the Chicago Sun Times was invited to drive “The Rock Garden Trail” in New Mexico along with co-pilot and Hummer general manager Martin Walsh. Check out Ciminill’s article New H3, H2 are humdingers for the full story.

The newest Hummer ad from Modernista! features an H2 driving through a desolate landscape, and uses space communication sound effects throughout. At the end, the signature Earth pull out shot reveals the Hummer has actually been driving on the Moon. Hummer is getting closer to it’s off-road roots – but isn’t quite there yet. I liked the video, but was more impressed with NASA’s film work staging the moon landing. Kidding aside, enjoy the newest Hummer commercial!

I think it goes without saying that we’re Hummer fans here – but at what point does it become an obsession? Well a couple in Reno, NV is taking their love for Hummers (and each other!) to the next level. Sonya Jefferson and Steve Spencer, both Hummer owners, are getting hitched in a wedding that is “Like Nothing Else.” The couple will say their “I Do’s” in the back of two Hummer SUT truck beds – with whom other than Team Hummer owner and captain Rod Hall presiding over the ceremony. Following the ceremony the couple will cut into their Hummer shaped cake, then quickly jump into their H2 (in full wedding attire) for an off-road adventure with 100 other Hummer enthusiasts. The wedding is set for this Friday at 10am – and the press (at least the local variety) will certainly be in attendance. It turns out the couple will actually hold a small, private ceremony the day before with close family and friends. That’s probably not a bad idea for those conservative family members, considering we don’t think Rod Hall is an ordained minister…

Note: Picture unrelated, but seemed appropriate.

GM is investing over 300 million in renovations in its Tonawanda engine plant to produce a 4.5-liter, V-8 Duramax high-output diesel engine for the Hummer H2, according to John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of global manufacturing. “This will be one of the most efficient and technically advanced diesel engines, providing a 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and 13 percent reduction in CO2 emissions over gasoline engines in this segment.”
The renovations are expected to take years, but GM has slated the new diesel coming in 2009. However, we think fitting the new engine in the Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks will be on the top of GM’s to-do list. AutoWeek thinks the Hummer diesels may come in 2011, who cited Martin Walsh (Hummer’s GM). With all the interior improvements coming in 2008, and the possibility of the diesel coming next, Hummer H2 sales should see a significant increase. AutoWeek also suggested we should look for an E85 capable Hummer H2 in 2009, and the E85 Hummer H3 the following year.

Eight Hummer Dealers Receive Leadership Award

The Keynote speaker was Michael Eisner, the entertainment was Mary J. Blige, and it was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. The June event was General Motor’s impressive venue for presenting eight Hummer dealers from around the country with the 2006 Jack Smith Leadership Award. The award goes to the Hummer dealer in each region who has achieved the highest level of sales, service, and customer satisfaction. Below is the list of the ‘elite eight’ – and more info can be found on GM’s Dealer of the Year website.

Carl Sewell
Sewell HUMMER
Dallas, TX

Christopher M. Leggio
Mark Christopher Cadillac
Ontario, CA

Mark A. Leggio
Mark Christopher Cadillac
Ontario, CA

Joseph O. Serra
Al Serra Buick GMC Truck HUMMER
Grand Blanc, MI

Daniel L. Towbin
Towbin HUMMER, L.L.C.
Las Vegas, NV

Louis Vera
Vera Cadillac
Pembroke Pines, FL

George E. Williamson, II
Williamson Cadillac Company
Miami, FL

Kenneth E. Wright
Wright Automotive Group
Wexford, PA

The long anticipated wait for pricing on the 2008 Hummer H3s now comes to an end. In an effort to make sure that you are getting a good deal on your 2008 Hummer purchase (some dealers like to charge over sticker when a vehicle is this popular – you shouldn’t do business with these folks) we’re publishing the pricing here:

Base Model Prices ($500 standard destination charge not included)

H3 – 30,080
H3x – 38,375
H3 Alpha – 38,645

With many people expecting the base price to be in the mid-40s, this is great news! Now, keep in mind, this is for base models – once you do add sunroof, nav, chrome appearance, etc to the mix – you probably should expect to be in that mid-40s range for the 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha model.

The Rear Vision Camera will be a 2008 option for $850 – and the two colors that are going to cost a little extra (Solor Flare Metallic, and Carbon Flash Metallic) will be a very affordable $295 upgrade.