Hummer Organizes Driving Academy Event in Morocco

For those of you who are looking to sharpen their off-road driving abilities and to take a break from the daily routine life, GM is launching its first ever Hummer Driving Academy event that will take place in Morocco from 7-12 November 2008. The academy will take a fleet of 14 Hummer H3s on a 1300km (about 800 miles) route which includes the Sahara Desert. Overall, there will be 14 teams consisting of a driver and co-driver. The participating SUVs will carry necessary survival equipment, desert tires and GPS satellite navigation systems, but other than that, they’re standard H3s with 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engines and automatic transmissions. -Continued

The cost of participation in the 2008 HUMMER Driving Academy event has been set at €3.995 or $5,870 per team of two (driver and co-driver), and it includes the use of the H3 vehicles and luxury hotel accommodation but not air fares. According to GM, the Hummer Driving Academy event in Morocco will be followed by a series of events which will be rolled out in 2009. For more information on the event in Morocco you can visit the official site here.

Hummer H3 to get E85 Capable Engines and 4-Cylinder Diesel in 2009

With Hummer’s future uncertain as truck and large SUV sales continue to freefall in the States, you’d think that GM would totally give up on its offroad brand. But for the time being, that doesn’t seem to be the case. As part of its commitment to make half of its vehicles E85 (ethanol) capable by 2012, GM said that along with the H2 E85 FlexPower that will go on sale in the States this October, it is continuing the development of FlexPower engines for the H3 SUV.

Scheduled to hit U.S. dealerships in early 2009, the H3 FlexPower will be able to run on gasoline, E85 ethanol which consists of up to 85 percent ethanol mixed with gasoline, or any combination of the two fuels. According to the American automaker, in the USA alone, more than 3 million of the 7 million flexible-fuel vehicles on the road are GM cars and trucks. -Continued

“Using biofuels, specifically E85, is the most significant thing we can do in the near-term to offset rising future energy demands” says Beth Lowery, GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. “We believe ethanol used as a fuel, not just as a gasoline additive, is the best near-term alternative to the surging global demand for oil because ethanol is renewable and it significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to gasoline. Best of all, it is available today.”

Aside from the H3 FlexPower, GM is also developing a 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine for the smallest model in its range. The diesel-powered H3 will be an important addition in Hummer’s European range as diesel vehicles across the pond account for more than 50 percent of total sales in most markets. The percentage of diesel variants is even greater when it comes to large SUVs and 4x4s.

Hummer Offers Special Edition H3 Sensation to European Markets

For those in Europe that can withstand the sizzling prices at gas pumps, Hummer is offering a special edition version of its H3 SUV equipped with €4,000 or $6,300 worth of options at no extra cost. Based on the standard H3 3.7 automatic, the Sensation features a unique body-colored grille, a power sliding glass sunroof, black tubular side steps, black roof crossbars, an in-dash 6-CD changer and a Monsoon 7-speaker sound system. The H3 Sensation, which will only be available for short time, is offered exclusively in black or white paint. -One more pic after the jump

Toy Story: Life-Size, Remote Controlled Hummer H3!

You definitely won’t find this remote controlled car in your local toyshop – first of all because it won’t fit out the door… The life-size, RC version of the Hummer H3 was created by engineer Dr James Brighton from Cranfield University in the UK. Of course, Hummer didn’t loos the opportunity to promote Brighton’s study. “What better way to show off the definitive big boy’s toy than converting the HUMMER H3 into a remote controlled car?” commented Steve Catlin from HUMMER UK.

“Converting the H3 into the super-sized remote control car took a month to complete but we’ve had lots of fun in the process”, stated Brighton. “The results are clear – all controllers will be amazed by the handling ability – the best any radio controlled vehicle has had to date. The vehicle is capable of climbing a 407mm vertical wall, traversing a 40% side slope and operating in up to 610mm of water – imagine the fun!” –More pics after the jump

Hummer H3 to the… Mountain Rescue

Hummer has joined forces with the UK charity organization, Mountain Rescue (England & Wales), to create a specially modified version of its H3 SUV. Mountain Rescue celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2008 and to commemorate this landmark, the newly launched right-hand drive Hummer H3 will support the charity’s busiest teams in England and Wales across the year carrying both equipment and personnel

To make the H3 more effective for Mountain Rescue, Hummer has enhanced the vehicle with a number of specialist features including grille and roof mounted spotlights to aid visibility in treacherous conditions and rocker panel protection which gives added protection to the lower body and door panels against rock strikes and other strong blows. –One more pic after the jump

2009 Hummer H3T Pick-Up: Official High-Res Images

A set of leaked (high-resolution) images that found their way into the internet today seem to have spoiled GM’s initial plans to unveil the all-new Hummer H3T Pick-Up at next month’s Chicago Auto Show. Details are scarce for the moment, but we do know that the H3T will have a longer wheelbase than the standard H3 while it will also feature a bedrail system and four in-bed storage compartments. The H3T featured in the pictures is the Alpha version which is equipped with a 295 HP 5.3-liter V8 instead of the standard inline-5. -Image gallery after the jump

Via: LLN

Bid On A Hummer H3 And Meet LA Lakers Star Kobe Bryant

On November 25, eBay users will be able to bid on a 2008 H3 Hummer package that includes a meet and greet with Los Angeles Lakers basketball star, Kobe Bryant. All of the proceeds will benefit “After-School All-Stars”, a non-profit organization founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1992.

“After-School All-Stars” provides after-school programs that include independent learning, academics, and enrichment. The organization’s mission is to keep children safe and help them achieve in school and in life. According to the non-profit organization, nearly 70,000 at-risk youth benefit from these programs in 13 U.S. cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, San Jose and South Florida.

Link: eBay , Thanks for the tip Stu!

Hummer H3 GT V8 By GeigerCars

Here’s another “subtlety” transformed Hummer vehicle by the German based car tuner, GeigerCars. Using the V8 powered H3 Alpha as a base, Geiger equipped the American SUV with an optics package that includes blue race-stripes, humongous 23-inch alloy wheels in massive 305/35 23R tires and tinted windows / indicators. Buyers can also opt for 24-inch alloy wheels, but it looks already silly enough so we’d avoid it if we were you. For the interior, Geiger offers carbon-fibre trim along with leather sport seats and a multimedia system with monitors incorporated in the front headrests. -Continued after the jump

We can’t figure out why, but Geiger equips the Hummer H3 GT with an engine tuning kit that raises the V8’s maximum performance to 300 Hp. That’s just a mere 5 Hp more than the standard 5.3-liter V8 unit’s output. To complement the 5Hp power boost (…) the German tuner provides a sport suspension, which lowers the ride height of the SUV.

Via: Motorpasion , Source: GeigerCars

RHD Hummer H3 Officially Launched In The UK

Green Brits will be happy to know (…) that the Hummer brand has been officially launched in the UK. The first right-hand drive (RHD) Hummer to go on sale is the H3 which is initially available with a five-cylinder inline 3.7-litre VORTEC petrol engine that delivers 244bhp. The newest addition to the “Chelsea tractors” line-up (dubbed after the fashionable part of London that loves brassy SUVs) has a starting price of £26,495 ($54,000 or €38,000). -Full press release & pics after the jump

HUMMER’S HERE – AND IT’S LIKE NOTHING ELSE!

• HUMMER now officially on sale in the UK
• H3 available in right-hand drive
• Prices from £26,495

One of the world’s most legendary four-wheel drive brands has finally arrived in the UK, and it’s like nothing else on, or off, the road.

The right-hand drive HUMMER H3 spearheads the launch of GM’s premium SUV brand to the UK market, having been designed and developed from the outset to appeal to a truly global audience.

Smaller and more agile than the larger H1 and H2 models, the South African-built H3 is the HUMMER designed with Europe in mind – and with prices starting at just £26,495, it’s great value, too.

With permanent full-time four-wheel drive, a two-ratio transfer gearbox, traction control and HUMMER’s patented StabiliTrack Stability Enhancement System on all models, the H3 is a sure-footed choice for those seeking a vehicle that is just as much about action as it is about expressing the HUMMER brand’s iconic style. Indeed, the H3 is one of the most capable off-road vehicles on the market today.

At launch, three trim levels are available – the SE, Adventure and Luxury. All come with a comprehensive standard equipment list including air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking, a six-speaker stereo system, cruise control and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror with eight-point compass and temperature display.

Adventure models add heated power-adjustable seats, a leather appointed interior, an off-road suspension package, full-locking central rear differential, a chrome appearance package and a seven-speaker stereo system, making it perfect for those who want to take their HUMMER a little further off the beaten track.

For those who want a more cosseting HUMMER, the Luxury model comes with leather appointed interior, eight-way power adjustable heated seats, 16x7.5in chrome wheels, chrome side steps, hood louvre and roof bars and a seven-speaker sound system. A comprehensive range of options is available for all models.

Initially, all H3s will be offered with HUMMER’s unique five-cylinder inline 3.7-litre VORTEC petrol engine. The 244bhp unit was designed specifically for the H3 and offers an impressive 328Nm of torque, giving the car excellent flexibility in even the most challenging of conditions. Two transmissions are on offer – a five speed manual or a four-speed GM Hydra-Matic auto. Biofuel and Diesel H3s will follow within three years.

The H3 is officially on sale from September 1 at the UK’s first official HUMMER retailer, Bauer Millett in Manchester, as well as sites at Park Lane in London and in Birmingham. Further HUMMER outlets will open shortly, and will be publicised on the “Hummer” website.

ENDS

Model	Transmission	Price
SE	5-spd manual	£26,495
SE	4-spd auto	£27,995
Adventure	5-spd manual	£30,495
Adventure	4-spd auto	£31,995
Luxury	5-spd manual	£31,495
Luxury	4-spd auto	£32,995

Technical Specifications

ENGINE
TYPE: Vortec 3700 3.7L
PERFORMANCE: kW/hp/rpm 180/244/5600
TORQUE: 328Nm @ 4600 rpm
GOVERNOR TYPE: Multi-point sequential fuel injection
DISPLACEMENT: 3653 cc
BORE AND STROKE: 95.5mm x 102mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.0:1
CRAWL RATIO:
BASE VEHICLE: 45.1:1 ADVENTURE: WITH OFF-ROAD SUSPENSION: 68.9:1
TRANSMISSION
Standard 5-speed manual or optional Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic
DRIVETRAIN
2-speed, electronically controlled, full-time 4WD
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
Brake-controlled, single-wheel control capability with rear axle electronic locking differential
STEERING
Power-assisted, rack-and-pinion, with tri-bushing mount design
BRAKES
Electro-hydraulic power 4-wheel disc, 4-wheel anti-lock, 4-piston opposed fixed front calliper /single-piston sliding rear calliper with Dynamic Rear Proportioning
FRONT SUSPENSION
Independent SLA torsion bars, 46mm monotube gas-charged shocks and
36mm tubular stabiliser bar
REAR SUSPENSION
Multi-leaf, semi-elliptic dual-stage leaf spring, 46mm monotube gas-charged
shocks and 25mm rear stabiliser bar
FRAME
Fully welded steel
WHEELS & TYRES
16in x 7.5in aluminium wheels, P265/75R16 all-terrain tyres with full-size spare
OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE
TURNING CIRCLE: 11.3m
GRADE CAPABILITY: 60%
SIDE SLOPE CAPABILITY: 40%
WADING DEPTH: 610mm @ 5 mph; 407mm @ 20 mph
VERTICAL STEP HEIGHT: 407mm
FUEL CONSUMPTION (mpg)
Urban: Manual / Automatic 15.3 / 15.1
Extra -urban: Manual / Automatic 25.6 / 23.3
Combined: Manual / Automatic 20.4 / 19.5
CO₂ EMISSIONs (g/km)
Manual / Automatic 327 / 346