2003 Hummer H2
Rich
01-23-2002, 11:55 AM
Got this off a different board I visit. Thought some AFers might like to read it.
By: Steve Laser
"In your face” styling goes to new extremes with the introduction of the production version of the 2003 Hummer H2. The rugged characteristics of the original Hummer (now dubbed H1), have been neatly transplanted into a smaller, more nimble and civilized package. The “baby” Hummer, which goes on sale this summer, gives GM more ammunition to capture upscale buyers seeking something more dramatic than a Cadillac Escalade. Unlike the current crop of full-size SUVs, the H2 has an unmistakable persona that can be spotted a block away.
“The importance of great design can’t be overstated,” said GM product czar Bob Lutz during his keynote address at the show. “We must build vehicles that people have to have – not ones that they’re willing to settle for.” Lutz believes that design should capture the essence of what a vehicle is all about. In that respect, he called the Hummer H2, “One of the best designs that I’ve ever seen.” Looking to expand its product portfolio with an aspirational brand like “Jeep,” GM purchased the rights to the Hummer name from AM General in late 1999. The H2 is the first in an expected line of new Hummer products.
Like the concept H2 that debuted at the Detroit show in 2000, the body of the production model has been scaled down to fit atop a corporate GM platform used for the Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade. Yet even a trained eye will have difficulty pinpointing similarities. Unlike its cousins, H2’s design vocabulary is one of square shapes, flat chiseled surfaces, hard peak lines and flat glass panels. The upright grille, lack of tumblehome and square-jawed look convey an appearance of indestructibility – a Hummer family trait.
Instead of appealing to the well-to-do owners of Hummer H1s, GM is targeting younger buyers with the H2. “In practical terms, the ’rugged individualist’ will be more likely to take it off-road and exploit all its capabilities,” said Marc Hernandez, H2 brand manager. “The ’successful achievers’ are more likely to drive it on-road as a symbol of their daring and success.”
With the mass media filled with scenes of military Hummers pounding through the deserts of Afghanistan, the timing of the launch couldn’t be better. The U.S. Army and Marine’s reliance on Hummers is unrivaled testimonial advertising for the brand. Compared to the military version and the H1, the H2 has a clean, rounded shape with fewer exposed rivets and fasteners, a one-piece wraparound windshield and doors that have been offset from the body side surface.
GM designers have cleverly endowed the H2 with a Hummer-like forward-tilting hood with integral fenders. The wide tread, long wheelbase, short overhangs, huge tires and wheels at the extreme corners are design cues that impart H2’s sense of off-road prowess. The H2 appears larger than life in the flesh, yet it’s considerably smaller than the H1. For instance, with an overall width of 81.2 inches, the H2 is 6.5 inches narrower than its elder sibling. This should allow it to fit into American-sized parking stalls with ease.
While GM has gone to great lengths to capture the essence of the original Hummer, the H2’s interior thankfully avoids the compromises and ergonomic challenges of the original. With the H1, an incredible 16.0 inches of ground clearance was made possible by allowing the powertrain components to intrude into the cabin. A huge doghouse divides the passenger compartment, leaving nearly three feet of dead space between the four bucket seats. Ingress and egress is further hampered by tall side sills and narrow footwells.
The H2’s cabin is positively spacious by comparison. Standard seating for five includes a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat. A third-row, single passenger seat is optional, bringing the passenger capacity to a maximum of six – two more than the H1. Although some components appear to have been borrowed from the GM corporate parts bin, the H2’s interior has a fresh look. A floor-mounted automatic transmission shift lever is more macho than the column-mounted shifter on the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. The GM-sourced instrument cluster employs white-faced gauges and distinctive graphics for a fresh look.
All of the cues one would expect of a luxury SUV are present. The list includes dual zone climate control, CD player and power assists for windows, doors and mirrors. Leather-trimmed seats are optional, and include heaters for the first and second rows. Equipped with the available air suspension, the H2 can be fitted with an air compressor that enables the driver to inflate the tires using a cargo compartment mounted hose. One drawback of the H2’s design is the fact that the spare tire intrudes significantly upon cargo space.
With the racket from the AM General-supplied 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 and the cavern between the front seats, H1 passengers frequently have to shout to hear each other. That won’t be necessary with the new Hummer. GM has supplied the H2 with its corporate 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8 that generates 325 horsepower and 385 lbs.-ft. of torque. The engine is coupled to a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and electronic traction control are also standard.
A bit of the wall-climbing, river-fording nature of the H1 has been sacrificed in the name of comfort. Nevertheless, the Hummer is designed to be quite capable off-road. GM says that the H2 can climb 16-inch rocks and travel through 20-inch streams at low speeds. A new full-time four-wheel-drive system includes an electronic transfer case with five mode selections. And the H2 is equipped to pull a trailer weighing up to 6,500 pounds.
With a targeted annual capacity of 40,000 units, the H2 is destined to bring the Hummer mystique to the masses. It will be manufactured at a new AM General plant in Indiana near the home of the H1. And if the styling of the H2 isn’t enough to provide target customers with distinction, GM will allow owners to further tailor their H2s to their own individual tastes. A line of 40 different accessories are planned as dealer installed or regular production options for the new generation Hummer
http://members.shaw.ca/hummerman/h2.jpg
By: Steve Laser
"In your face” styling goes to new extremes with the introduction of the production version of the 2003 Hummer H2. The rugged characteristics of the original Hummer (now dubbed H1), have been neatly transplanted into a smaller, more nimble and civilized package. The “baby” Hummer, which goes on sale this summer, gives GM more ammunition to capture upscale buyers seeking something more dramatic than a Cadillac Escalade. Unlike the current crop of full-size SUVs, the H2 has an unmistakable persona that can be spotted a block away.
“The importance of great design can’t be overstated,” said GM product czar Bob Lutz during his keynote address at the show. “We must build vehicles that people have to have – not ones that they’re willing to settle for.” Lutz believes that design should capture the essence of what a vehicle is all about. In that respect, he called the Hummer H2, “One of the best designs that I’ve ever seen.” Looking to expand its product portfolio with an aspirational brand like “Jeep,” GM purchased the rights to the Hummer name from AM General in late 1999. The H2 is the first in an expected line of new Hummer products.
Like the concept H2 that debuted at the Detroit show in 2000, the body of the production model has been scaled down to fit atop a corporate GM platform used for the Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade. Yet even a trained eye will have difficulty pinpointing similarities. Unlike its cousins, H2’s design vocabulary is one of square shapes, flat chiseled surfaces, hard peak lines and flat glass panels. The upright grille, lack of tumblehome and square-jawed look convey an appearance of indestructibility – a Hummer family trait.
Instead of appealing to the well-to-do owners of Hummer H1s, GM is targeting younger buyers with the H2. “In practical terms, the ’rugged individualist’ will be more likely to take it off-road and exploit all its capabilities,” said Marc Hernandez, H2 brand manager. “The ’successful achievers’ are more likely to drive it on-road as a symbol of their daring and success.”
With the mass media filled with scenes of military Hummers pounding through the deserts of Afghanistan, the timing of the launch couldn’t be better. The U.S. Army and Marine’s reliance on Hummers is unrivaled testimonial advertising for the brand. Compared to the military version and the H1, the H2 has a clean, rounded shape with fewer exposed rivets and fasteners, a one-piece wraparound windshield and doors that have been offset from the body side surface.
GM designers have cleverly endowed the H2 with a Hummer-like forward-tilting hood with integral fenders. The wide tread, long wheelbase, short overhangs, huge tires and wheels at the extreme corners are design cues that impart H2’s sense of off-road prowess. The H2 appears larger than life in the flesh, yet it’s considerably smaller than the H1. For instance, with an overall width of 81.2 inches, the H2 is 6.5 inches narrower than its elder sibling. This should allow it to fit into American-sized parking stalls with ease.
While GM has gone to great lengths to capture the essence of the original Hummer, the H2’s interior thankfully avoids the compromises and ergonomic challenges of the original. With the H1, an incredible 16.0 inches of ground clearance was made possible by allowing the powertrain components to intrude into the cabin. A huge doghouse divides the passenger compartment, leaving nearly three feet of dead space between the four bucket seats. Ingress and egress is further hampered by tall side sills and narrow footwells.
The H2’s cabin is positively spacious by comparison. Standard seating for five includes a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat. A third-row, single passenger seat is optional, bringing the passenger capacity to a maximum of six – two more than the H1. Although some components appear to have been borrowed from the GM corporate parts bin, the H2’s interior has a fresh look. A floor-mounted automatic transmission shift lever is more macho than the column-mounted shifter on the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. The GM-sourced instrument cluster employs white-faced gauges and distinctive graphics for a fresh look.
All of the cues one would expect of a luxury SUV are present. The list includes dual zone climate control, CD player and power assists for windows, doors and mirrors. Leather-trimmed seats are optional, and include heaters for the first and second rows. Equipped with the available air suspension, the H2 can be fitted with an air compressor that enables the driver to inflate the tires using a cargo compartment mounted hose. One drawback of the H2’s design is the fact that the spare tire intrudes significantly upon cargo space.
With the racket from the AM General-supplied 6.5-liter turbodiesel V8 and the cavern between the front seats, H1 passengers frequently have to shout to hear each other. That won’t be necessary with the new Hummer. GM has supplied the H2 with its corporate 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8 that generates 325 horsepower and 385 lbs.-ft. of torque. The engine is coupled to a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and electronic traction control are also standard.
A bit of the wall-climbing, river-fording nature of the H1 has been sacrificed in the name of comfort. Nevertheless, the Hummer is designed to be quite capable off-road. GM says that the H2 can climb 16-inch rocks and travel through 20-inch streams at low speeds. A new full-time four-wheel-drive system includes an electronic transfer case with five mode selections. And the H2 is equipped to pull a trailer weighing up to 6,500 pounds.
With a targeted annual capacity of 40,000 units, the H2 is destined to bring the Hummer mystique to the masses. It will be manufactured at a new AM General plant in Indiana near the home of the H1. And if the styling of the H2 isn’t enough to provide target customers with distinction, GM will allow owners to further tailor their H2s to their own individual tastes. A line of 40 different accessories are planned as dealer installed or regular production options for the new generation Hummer
http://members.shaw.ca/hummerman/h2.jpg
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