Hummer Guy

The spyshots have been around and the rumors swirling – now GM has made it official that production of Hummer’s first pickup truck, the H3T, will begin next year. Slated to hit dealerships the Summer of 08, the Hummer H3T will be larger than a midsize truck, and smaller than a full size truck.

“The H3T is unique for HUMMER because it is the brand’s first true pickup. Like every HUMMER model, the H3T delivers capabilities unparalleled in the marketplace and will carve out a new niche in the truck market. I’m happy to say that the men and women of Shreveport will be a big part of this new growth,” said Troy Clarke, GM Group VP and GM North America President.

The original H3T Concept showed a two-door configuration (see below), but the production model will more similar to the production H3 with a four door crew-cab style. Vehicle specifics and engine options have not been released, but we expect the Hummer H3T to offer the 5.3L V8 that is currently only part of the H3 Alpha package.

Monday is the official start of the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas, and the “Hummer H2 Safari Off Road” is one of two Hummer concepts on display.

Hummer’s metal to glass ratio is a feature that many, for safety and aesthetic reasons, find appealing. But what do you do when the extra large sunroof isn’t enough to give you a feeling of openness? Well, if you had the H2 Safari, you’d just roll up your entire roof and take off the removable back windows!

Hummer revealed an H3 canvas top at the 2006 SEMA show, but GM decided to gauge the reaction of an H2 version at this years SEMA show. Hummer also had a similar canvas, retractable roof option was on the H3T Concept in 2003. All these canvas top Hummers begs the question, “Will we see a production model or limited edition with a fully retractable roof in the future?” My guess is yes, but how soon and what model will be the tougher question. It may be a while…but I wonder which one of Hummer’s portfolio & design guys (or gals) is addicted to soft tops!

The H2 Safari’s exterior color is unique as well: A matte green finish creates less shine and reflection – excellent for blending in and cruising through the woods. It’s also one of those finishes that looks much better in person than in pictures, IMHO.

The interior of the H2 Safari has also changed up quite a bit, with an olive green rubber replacing the normal factory carpet, and nylon seats with leather appointments that slightly resemble a shooting vest (intentional maybe?). Check out the pictures below to make your own call…

Overall, a nice concept truck that is true to the spirit of Hummer. Here are the complete vehicle highlights:

• H2 Safari Off Road concept
• 6.2L V-8 with 393 horsepower
• Retractable canvas roof panel
• Safari-inspired matte olive exterior color
• 20-inch wheels
• Mickey Thompson 35-inch off-road tires
• Removable rear quarter windows
• Euro-style smoked light lenses with LED lighting
• Black-anodized billet aluminum rear D-rings
• Warn winch – power plant with dual-force in front
• Heavy-duty suspension with two-inch lift kit
• Brushed metal appearance on interior trim
• Weather-resistant premium nylon seating material
• Olive green rubber floor replaces production carpeting
• Custom floor mats
• Magellan 500 eXplorist dockable GPS unit
• Premium outdoor luggage and gun racks

GM Accessories (production and concept)

• Roadside assistance package
• First aid kit
• Hitch receiver cover
• Tail lamp guards
• Rocker protectors
• Fuel door (black)
• Tubular assist steps (black)
• Hood handles (black)

While Team Hummer is gearing up for the next Baja 1000 Race, they took a little time out to inspire one of this years showcase vehicles at the 2007 SEMA Show. The H3R is a rally/race inspired Hummer that stretches the limits of the word ‘stock’ when it comes to off-road racing.

Team Hummer competes in the stock-class which means they have to use production powertrains and chassis. Well, the 505 horsepower LS7 7.0L V8 is a production engine in the Corvette, why not throw it in the H3? That’s exactly what Hummer engineers did to give this off-road racing machine some real muscle, along with a host of other racing inspired parts. (See complete highlights below)

The exterior has some great upgrades like a two-tone grille and the forward tilting hood specially designed to compliment the custom air induction system. And who needs a spare? Just stick a ‘Jerry’ can in the back! (See photo below)

Am I the only one dying to know what Hummer does with vehicles like this after the car show circuit? I’m guessing Rod Hall may have dibs on this one…

Vehicle Highlights:

• H3R concept
• LS7 7.0L V-8 with 505 horsepower and Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed transmission
• Custom valve covers and ignition coil covers
• New, forward-tilting hood with Lexan see-through insert
• Power-operated hood hinges
• Custom air induction system with dual air boxes
• Racing-inspired paint scheme with custom badging
• Off-road lighting package with unique light bar
• Custom rear dual exhaust system with four outlets
• Wheel flares with quick-remove fasteners
• HID headlamps from Starr Lighting
• Clear front corner lamp lenses
• Front bull bar
• Body-color “Jerry” can mounted on the spare tire carrier
• Twenty-inch wheels
• Mickey Thompson Bear Claw 35-inch off-road tires
• Rotora high-performance brake package
• Fixed quarter window inserts
• Eaton front locking differential
• Enhanced cooling system with larger radiator
• Modified suspension with Tenneco/Rancho four-inch lift package and Rancho reservoir shocks
• Re-trimmed interior with brushed metal accents and trim
• Front racing seats with five-point safety harnesses and weather-resistant seat material
• Simpson window safety net
• Washable rubber floor covering replaces carpeting
• Navigation radio system
• Off-road integrated display gauge package with compass, inclinometer, altimeter and timer
• Auxiliary performance gauges
• Auxiliary 20-gallon fuel tank
• Second-row seats deleted
• Cargo-area spare tire mount

GM Accessories (production and concept)

• Rocker protectors
• Underbody shield
• Side-window weather deflector
• Roadside assistance package
• First-aid kit
• Hitch receiver cover
• Body-color grille

It wasn’t too long ago when the American Red Cross called on its fleet of Hummer vehicles to assist in local relief efforts during some Southern California fires. With the recent wildfires wreaking havoc on the area, GM and subsidiaries Hummer and OnStar are increasing their support.

General Motors has donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts, which we suspect is above and beyond GM’s $4 million, 6 year commitment to the organization. Twelve Southern California Hummer dealers are also standing by to assist.

“Responding to natural disasters is a priority of GM’s corporate outreach, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the American Red Cross again to aid those Californians who must overcome hardships caused by the recent fires,” said Rod Gillum, GM Vice President, Chairman of the GM Foundation. “GM employees will be able to make contributions to the relief efforts and those contributions will be matched by the GM Foundation through Nov. 30, 2007.”

GM OnStar is also assisting customers any way they can. Regardless of service plan, OnStar subscribers can take advantage of all services at no additional charge. “Crisis Assist” helps OnStar subscribers with routing assistance, hotel reservations, and will even download personal calling minutes into vehicles so subscribers can connect with family/friends to tell them they are OK. OnStar’s recent partnership with the American Red Cross also allows subscribers access to shelter information.
Last but not least, since the air quality has been so poor in the area, residents with GM vehicles can go to their local dealership and have their air filters replaced for free. More information on this can be found at goodwrench.com.

“GM, its dealers and its employees have a long tradition of responding to emergencies where we work and live,” said Susan Docherty, General Manager of GM’s Western Region (and former Hummer General Manager!). “We are quickly mobilizing our human, technological and financial resources to bring as much relief and support as possible to our families, friends and neighbors, who have all been affected in some way by these tragic wildfires.”

Kudos to GM for helping without hesitation.

The two new race trucks Hummer is producing for the Baja race next month have now been torn apart, and are having roll cages installed. The entire interior is stripped from both Hummers to reduce mass. Then, racing seats from MasterCraft and special 5 point safety belts are installed. The final touch on this safety segment is the Roll cage, which is being installed by GM Technician Matt Laramie at the GM Desert Proving Grounds. After the roll cage is complete, the stock dash board and steering wheel will be reinstalled to meet the production class race requirements.

In the picture below, H2 Technician Doug Moore (left) and Hummer Racing lead engineer Thad Stump (right) work on installing the H2 SUT’s roll cage. The hole that has been cut in the floor is where the safety fuel cell will be installed.

The clock is ticking — only a few weeks away from the Baja 1000!

Hummer has a new television commercial that focuses on its tough, off-road heritage. The spot compares the Hummer H3 with some very ‘purpose built’ equipment – a fireman’s suit, an emergency flare gun, and a mountain climber’s equipment. The heavily outfitted (with all Hummer brand accessories, of course!) H3 is shown climbing rocks before the “Purpose Built” message appears. This commercial falls in line with Hummer repositioning itself in the public’s eye as a very capable off-road vehicle that’s practical at the same time.

Every year General Motors uses the SEMA show as a platform to showcase future models and customized vehicles. This year’s show is no different, with Hummer showcasing two custom vehicles.

One of the vehicles will be a modified H3 – the other an H2. Both will have “serious” off-road ability. The “H3R” will be a racing inspired vehicle, and the “H2 Safari” will also boast adventure seeking performance.

GM will be showcasing ‘’performance with an environmental twist’ across the board according to the SEMA news release. More details are coming on these two off-road machines that are helping restore the off-road respect of the Hummer brand, and whether these will tie into the environmental theme or not. Expect Hummer to be focusing more on performance while still keeping visually appealing ‘bling’ on the front burner.

With team owner and racing legend Rod Hall by their side, Hummer is building two new race trucks for the upcoming Baja 1000. Rod Hall and his two sons, Josh and Chad, will be piloting Hummer’s three entries this year in the stock class: a H3 in stock-mini; 2008 H2 SUT in stock full; and a 2008 H3 Alpha in stock full.

This year’s race marks the 40th anniversary of the Baja 1000, and the 40th time Rod Hall has entered. In addition to be the only racer to enter in all Baja 1000 races, Rod Hall is also the winningest driver in Baja history with 18 victories. With 26 Baja 1000 wins between the three Hall racers, expect Team Hummer to have a strong showing this year.

Here is some more information on the stock-class race requirements:

Team HUMMER competes in the Stock classes of both BitD and SCORE, which feature production-based vehicles with stock frames, stock suspension designs and production-based engines. Only specialized racing shock absorbers, tires and other minor modifications are allowed, along with the required supporting components and mandatory safety equipment. Minor modifications are allowed to the powertrain, although the rules stipulate it must be based on the stock engine and transmission combination.

You can tell from the pictures that the vehicles are starting out just like any others that you find on dealer lots all over the country. More updates are on the way as the build process continues!

With the SEMA show right around the corner, it’s hard not to get into the spirit of Custom Hummers! With that in mind, here are some 2008 models that have been added to the Custom Hummer page. These Hummers are showcase vehicles from Sewell Hummer of Dallas, where 2 or 3 new custom Hummers are created every month. Here are the latest:

1)The new solar flare metallic 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha, with all black moldings and bumpers painted to match; finished with a chrome brush guard, off-road lamps, chrome accessories, and 20 inch chrome wheels:

2) Also new for 2008 is the Greystone color on the Hummer H2. This vehicle is equipped with 20inch chrome wheels, and all black moldings and bumpers have been painted to match — a very polished and classy look:

3) Last but not least is my favorite, the 2008 Hummer H2 White Monotone. Again, the moldings have been painted to match – which on a white vehicle, makes a huge difference. The 22 inch wheel and tire combo is also a more aggressive look, staying true to the Hummer brand:

More customs to come – just out of the shop is a black 2008 Hummer H2 with zero chrome on it. At least there’s no chrome in the traditional sense…pictures and info coming later! Have a custom Hummer or know of one you think should be featured on the site? Drop me a line at brian (at) hummerguy.net!

In January, Hummer buyers will have the option of purchasing the Ultra Marine Limited Edition H2 – the first limited edition in the 2008 model year.

It’s the exterior color that sets Hummer’s limited editions apart from the normal production line, and the new Ultra Marine color is very similar to GMC’s Blue Green Crystal. Hopefully higher quality images will be coming soon!

All 2008 H2s received the mid-cycle enhancement with an all new interior and powertrain, but the Ultra Marine will also showcase a Hummer first: 20 inch Chrome Wheels.

Cadillac has been offering stylish 20 inch chrome wheels for some time, and now offers 22 inch wheel options to capitalize on consumers desire to dress up their wheels. Hummer customers are notorious for wanting fancy chrome wheels. Last week I even saw an H2 on 30 inch chrome wheels – the thing had the turning radius of a school bus! So why hasn’t Hummer capitalized like Cadillac has?

Hummer has many more requirements when it comes to wheel and tire testing, due to the off-road capabilities that EVERY Hummer coming off the production line must have. You can imagine trying to find a 22 inch wheel and a low profile tire that you can air-down and go rock climbing with is next to impossible. However, Hummer has found a way to add some good looking 20 inch wheels to the Ultra Marine Limited Edition H2, that are trail ready, and at the same time ready to cruise to your favorite evening venue.

The Ultra Marine will also have some of the options we’ve seen before on other limited editions like painted to match fender flares, rocker moldings, side vents, etc. One exception to previous limited editions is the lack of the small step that mounted out from the rocker bar. The Ultra Marine H2 pictured has the OEM chrome tube steps, but whether they will be part of the package is still unknown.

Overall, this looks like a great truck. The number of total number that will be produced has not been announced, but previous limited editions were around the 750 range. More information coming soon!