2008 H2 and H2 SUT Preview

[h2co-pilot]

Hope not a repost.


2008 Hummer H2 and H2 SUT Preview
June 18, 2007
by Justin Couture / American Auto Press

Right now is not exactly the best time to be Hummer. After heavy investment of fleeting dollars, GM isn't seeing the return it expected as the popularity of sport utility vehicles is beginning to wilt. Furthermore, after the cancellation of the brand's hallmark product, the terrain-busting, army-transporting H1, the Hummer brand is left with the very large H2 and H2 SUT, plus the baby H3. Though Hummer does not have the same die-hard following as Jeep, as they're not as old as the iconic 4x4 brand or anywhere near as affordable, the effect of removing the H1 is akin to Jeep killing the Wrangler, and leaving only the Commander and the Patriot. The original H1 won't be coming back, but GM is trying to make good by giving the baby H3 the muscular V8 engine it's always deserved, and is overhauling its biggest product underneath its plated exterior, the H2 and its pickup brother, the H2 SUT.

The new engine that the H2 receives is actually one we're starting to get familiar with, as we've seen it used in a growing variety of GMT900-series vehicles, starting with the Escalade, and then moving outwards to include theGMC Yukon Denali and Sierra Denali. Now, the 393-horsepower 6.2-liter OHV aluminum-block V8 with 415 lb-ft of torque and variable valve timing finds its way under the hood of the H2, which should give this big beast a little extra muscle (not that it needed it). The addition of the upgraded engine represents a gain of about 20-percent, which is amplified by the new six-speed automatic transmission. Previously the H2, like all older-generation GM trucks, used a regular four-speed automatic. Like the Escalade et al, the H2 features the ?Tap Up/Tap Down? shift system that aids in towing and off-roading. The new engine and transmission now enables the H2 to lug up to 8,000 lbs worth of trailer behind it, whereas the less powerful outgoing model could only haul 6,500 lbs.

Not everyone will use the H2 for off-roading or towing (in fact, we wonder how many actually do now), but anyone who hops on board will be sure to enjoy its new interior. The old cabin was rudimentary in a sensethat it was little more than slabs of hard, unfinished plastic with old-style buttons, knobs and switches placed haphazardly all over. It might've been heavy duty, yes, but it didn't convey a professional appearance as it ought to have for the money asked. When most vehicles are facelifted, it's the exterior, and perhaps the powertrain that is improved, but in the case of the H2, the biggest gains are inside.

The flat-topped dashboard that replaces the original spans from side to side without unnecessarily bulging upwards for vents or the instrument bin. The dash-top vents themselves are now recessed in the dashboard, and feature an analog clock in between. The look has successfully changed from life-sized Tonka truck to something that's cleaner and more sophisticated (if you could ever call a Hummer that). Focus in a little more and it won't be too difficult to see where a large number of the new and redesigned components have been pulled from. The stereo and dual-zone HVAC for instance are the same as on the Tahoe or Silverado, much like the armrest and many of the buttons that operate various gadgets. This isn't criticism in the slightest,as they're a big step forward in appearance and organization over the outgoing H2. Hummer also adopted a new rotary knob for the 4WD system, though the locking of the differentials is still conducted via a push-button. The whole interior has been designed around tighter tolerances too, so the cabin looks better put together. Those riding in the second and third rows receive their own heating and cooling controls, plus a DVD navigation system is an extra-cost option. Finally, a new design for the front seats was implemented to improve comfort; they now feature seatbelts mounted on the B-pillars rather than integrated into the seats, which allow GM to install pretensioners for added safety.

And speaking of safety, there are more features to be had than ever before on the new '08 H2. ABS brakes were standard from the start, but the H2 now gains traction and stability control as well as brake assist, which is the first time this feature has been offered on a GM truck. All three rows of seats are protected from the violent effects of a rollover collision with full-length curtain airbags, while those in front have front and side airbags too. Additionally, the H2 is offered with two different types of navigation systems. The first is via OnStar, which guides drivers with voice commands, while the latter is done through the optional satellite navigation system, which uses an LCD display. Cars equipped with the LCD display also gain a reverse camera, something the H2 didn't have before.

With more power, a much better interior and the newly announced 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 engine on the way, the Hummer H2 looks to be set to carry its way on through the end of the decade, and the early years of the next. Those who said that its days were numbered certainly didn't anticipate GM pulling this mid-life makeover, which just goes to show that you never know what's up the General's sleeve.

[h2co-pilot]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/FREE/70626002/1024

2008 Hummer H2
Hummer refines H2 interior, boosts power
By RICK KRANZ | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Updated: 06/26/07, 9:57 am et

DURANGO, Colo. -- The message for buyers eyeing the 2008 Hummer H2 is twofold: more refinement, more power.

Hummer's biggest model undergoes its biggest changes - most on the inside - since it debuted for the 2002 model year.

On the outside, the H2's styling gets only minor changes to the grille and lower front bumper.

"Customers were looking for refinement on the inside," Hummer General Manger Martin Walsh said this month at a Hummer media event here.

The basics: The 2008 H2 SUV and SUT interior is new - instrument panel, door panels, seats, headliner.

Jim Dolot, vehicle line planning director, said Hummer owners were interviewed before the 2008 H2 was developed. The H2's exterior styling and the vehicle's size were reasons why they bought it.

But the H2's interior did not communicate luxury or prestige. "It did not give them a feeling of a $55,000, $60,000 vehicle," he said.

The H2's engineering and styling teams worked with their counterparts on the Cadillac Escalade program to choose premium materials and achieve gap tolerances of 1 millimeter or less. The Escalade and H2 are on General Motors' full-sized truck architecture.

"We tested the interior with customers," said Dolot. "It is a huge improvement from their perspective from what we had before."

General Motors also has given the H2 a hefty power boost, equipping it with a 393-hp 6.2-liter V-8 that produces 415 pounds-feet of torque. The previous engine was a 325-hp 6.0-liter V-8 with 365 pounds-feet of torque.

The "very healthy improvement in torque" is noticeable when climbing rocks, said Jeff Luke, Hummer H2 chief engineer.

The H2's towing rating gets a 1,500-pound boost over that of the 2007 model, to 8,000 pounds.

The addition of the new engine, along with a six-speed automatic transmission, electric cooling fans in the engine compartment and other features increase the H2's fuel economy 0.7 mpg overall, said Luke. A combination of city and highway driving is estimated by GM to be in the range of 13-14 mpg.

Added standard safety equipment for the 2008 H2 includes electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology, panic brake assist (the first application for a GM truck), tire pressure monitoring system and head curtain side airbags for all three passenger rows.

Notable features: For the first time, the Hummer SUV has a full third-row seat for two passengers and rear seat heating and air conditioning. A DVD entertainment system is available.

What Hummer says: What is the H2's main competitor? "It fits in against Land Rover," says Walsh. "In some cases, it is not a vehicle that is a competitor. It could be a down payment on a vacation property."

Compromises and shortcomings: Fuel economy and the high cost of gasoline. Sales totaled 4,954 in the first five months of this year, down 29.2 percent from year-ago sales.

Nuts and bolts: Dealers are scheduled to start receiving the 2008 H2 in late July or early August. Walsh said advertising will emphasize that the "H2 is all new under the roof and under the hood."

The skinny: Despite the significant improvements, the price of gasoline likely will determine the H2's fate.

(just pasting em in this thread.)

[Tex_h2]

Sounds great.......but, I'm not sure if I'm really going to like the "tahoe" interior.......

[Agriv8r]

anything extra is a plus...

[MarineHawk]

I think they may be wrong about the H1s lack of return. A couple of GM guys I talked to said that AMG would bring it back when it catches up on its military commitment backlog. They will eventurally.

[usetosellhummer]

It will be back without the Alpha upgrades and called HUMVEE
bet on it!

[MarineHawk]

Originally Posted by usetosellhummer

It will be back without the Alpha upgrades and called HUMVEE
bet on it!

Bummer. Why not with the Alpha upgrades?

More power; more clearance; more fuel; better gearing? Now that they've built the Alpha, why go back to something inferior?

[Alan06SUT]

Someone told me it would not be marketed by GM, just AM General. Is that true?

[grasskiller]

After spending some good time looking at alot of trucks im almost sure ill be on a 08 sometime by DEC or JAN 08

[jmsspratlin]

Thanks for the info...Jamie