Hummer HX concept

[haven]

GM plans to show a new Hummer concept vehicle at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. It's called the HX:

The new vehicle is based on the Chevy Colorado pickup, with a significant bob of the rear bed and a slant-back cap. My guess is that the concept will share the Hummer display with the new H3 crew cab pickup, also heavily based on the Colorado. I'd expect a V8 engine in the concept, maybe even GM's new 4.5L diesel, which will appear in 2009 model year.

A vehicle like the HX concept is aimed at buyers who might consider buying Toyota's FJ Cruiser or a Jeep Wrangler JK. The HX would be the only one with a V8, and the only one with a Baja 1000 win (by Rod Hall). It would be great if these three manufacturers decided to compete directly with each other with more extreme off-road models.

Chip Haven

 

[ntsqd]

I dunno, to say that an HX has a Baja win when it has nothing in common with the design that does is like saying that a Supra has won Baja (Stewart).
Advert hyperbole......
And I know it wasn't yours......

Still, it will be interesting to see what it's production appearance is.

 

[Hunter]

I hear ya there Shovel. I had a chnace to drive a customer's H3 a few times around my shop. I always did think they were a good lookin' ride, but man, its like looking out of a old fort or something. Hard to see. I think after 30 minutes on the trail, I'd have one sore neck from trying to cram my head around too look through the windows.

 

[Scott Brady]

It would be great if these three manufacturers would stop shrinking the size of the windows... how the heck can you drive safely if you can't even see?

(on and off pavement)

I totally agree. I actually like the H3, but the windows are way too small IMO. Looks good, but too big of a compromise of functionality.

 

[Bella PSD]

I agree as well. Funny how one small thing like the windows will turn you off on a truck…or the lack of a manually tranny, lockouts or real floor shift 4x4, diesel….Well maybe that’s a few more than one! But out of the H2/3, the 3 seems to be in a better direction.

Looks alot like Toyota's FJ Cruiser. Even the color.

Next...Ford will bring back the Bronco for real this time!!

 

[njtacoma]

Don't you just hate it when...

Somebody talks about a new model coming and than somebody else chimes in and says "Hey I saw that disguised on the road the other day, but didn't have my camera, etc..."

Sorry I'm that guy! I didn't know there was a (an?) H3 crew cab coming, but I was on my way to Snow Mountain Ranch (near Winter Park, CO) on Friday during the snowstorm and saw two lightly disguised H3 crewcabs parked behind a store. They were clearly visible from I 70 both white, with "tarp" like disguises on the back - had a cool expo look. I turned to my wife and she had noticed them also.

Sorry no photos had important family time on my mind (tubing, decorating ginger bread houses, crafts, etc) so I didn't even try to change lanes and exit to snap a photo.

Any way I'm sure there are spy photos out there, but they sure looked good at 65mph!

:Wow1:

 

[viter]

some pics from here - http://www.thecarconnection.com/Ent...Spy_Shots_2008_HUMMER_H3_SUT.S178.A10934.html

 

[viter]

some different ones here from baja - http://jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/2009-hummer-h3t-spotted-at-baja-1000-328100.php

 

[Carlyle]

Too bad they stopped making real Hummers...

 

[haven]

windows

I read that the HX will have removable roof panels and doors. The slantback cap will also be removable. That should improve outward visibilty!

Chip Haven

 

[calamaridog]

I'm torn between loving and hating the H3. Generally, I have little use for GM stuff - my least favorite of the Small 3. I think the H3 is pretty cool, but the small windows and wasted interior space bother me.

And the Baja winning H3 and H3 Alpha are awesome, no matter what the nay-sayers have to say

 

[evldave]

I have an H3 and it's worth every penny. It took a lot of getting used to the limited visibility (and one accidently back-into-the-tree moment), now I have a backup camera and it's much better. Not as good as a car or my wife's JK, but decent. The smaller windows weren't just for looks, there is a significant amount of bracing in case of rollover (gotta be given the truck weighs ~5k lbs loaded).

In stock form, it's almost as good as a Rubi, probably better than an X or Sahara (and way out of the FJ league). Road manners are almost as good as my BMW, very solid, quiet, and comfortable. I don't care much for the limited internal space, but put in a rear shelf, use the cubbyholes wisely and it's as roomy as my old XJ (but not as good as the JK 4 door).

It's a bit underpowered for the weight, but no worse than an XJ (or the JK or FJ for that matter). Gas mileage w/out roof rack is around 18-20 on hwy, 15-16 in town. Add a roof rack and weight and it drops to 15 hwy 13-14 in town. Seems like the engine it really at max stock and start adding and it has a big impact on mileage (not that I bought it for mileage). Note, my wife's JK has been getting 16.5 mixed city/highway, about the same as my H3 when it was stock.

As far as improving the stock version, it's pretty easy to add 35" tires, new front shocks, adjust torsion bars, and you'll have plenty of clearance and a nice ride. Aftermarket parts are ridiculously expensive, so build your own if you can. Not many winch mounts available, and only one decent aftermarket bumper (h2o).

With 2 adults, it's comfortable, add 2 kids and it starts getting cramped, add 2 dogs and it's an adventure. I've been on numerous trips (1+ weeks) fully loaded and it's not the best for a full family. For that, I'd prefer a suburban or other full-size vehicle.

In 40k+ miles I've had nothing wrong with it except an ABS connector under the drivers seat come loose, some squishy brakes (fixed by a bleed) and the lettering coming off the stereo knobs from my wife's fingernails. Not bad for an early 1st run vehicle.

Overall though, it's a great trade-off between comfort and offroadability. It's not too expensive (you can get a used 2006 for around 25k), has fantastic road manners for long trips (I've got at least 10 1k+ mile trips on it & a couple 3k+ mile trips), performs great offroad, is reliable, and can be serviced at thousands of dealerships in the US and abroad (most GM dealerships have access to hummer service manuals and most are off-the-shelf GM parts).

It's a bit small (gonna build a trailer for it so that solves the problem) and a bit underpowered (they have the v8 Alpha out now), but it says something that both my wife and I choose the H3 over the JK for either camping or to the mall...

 

[maximumrob]

"A bit small and underpowered" applies to Wranglers, too. How 'bout posting up some pics of your wheelin' trips? I'd like to see pics of an off-road-prepped H3, as most of them in Dallas are chromed and sub-woofer'd with low profile tires.

A bunch of us are meeting up at Clayton, OK for several days of trail rides between Christmas and New Year's. I've yet to wheel with a Hummer...please join us!

 

[evldave]

"A bit small and underpowered" applies to Wranglers, too. How 'bout posting up some pics of your wheelin' trips? I'd like to see pics of an off-road-prepped H3, as most of them in Dallas are chromed and sub-woofer'd with low profile tires.

A bunch of us are meeting up at Clayton, OK for several days of trail rides between Christmas and New Year's. I've yet to wheel with a Hummer...please join us!

Here's a couple, one was camping in California. This was after a day of wheeling w/5 other Hummer owners. Spent the rest of the that week exploring backcountry in Northern Cali/central oregon.

Other pic is a poser parking lot pic, but it was taken on the way to camping in Olympic Nat'l forest. Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.

 

[Bella PSD]

Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.

That Roof Rack looks fine to me!

Louie