Whats the deal with speed?

Yep, fun, turds and all.

S.

[BEST 4x4xFAR]

I?m holding out hope that around this time next year we will start to see turbo diesel H3?s hitting the lots as ?08s. I know it?s a bit of wishful thinking, but GM has got to be stupid to not even be considering the option. It seems similar or better performance could be had, with greatly improved fuel efficiency and even better low down torque for off-road use, from a 2.8-3.5 liter turbo diesel engine (International currently has a Brazilian built 2.8 liter Powerstroke that puts out 277 lbs-ft at 1400 rpm that is used in a lot of South American Ford Trucks and is a very popular swap in the Land Rover world).

With gas prices pushing all time highs (I wouldn?t be surprised to be approaching $5/gallon by the time the ?08s are hitting showrooms), and diesel technology very advanced (now that low sulfur fuel will be legislated in the US) I can?t believe that many would not be interested in this option. Depending upon your region of the country, diesel fuel even tends to run about the same, or lower in price than regular unleaded (my area it is consistently a couple of cents less than regular unleaded, but that will likely change with the higher refining costs of the low sulfur fuels). Modern Diesels are almost as quiet as gas engines, and can have very clean emissions on low sulfur fuel (though public perception of old, noisy, smelly diesels would probably be the most difficult to overcome, but you only have to look across the pond to see the advances in technology).

I would think such an option would provide similar on road performance (or likely even better) to the 3.7 I-5, better off road performance and would likely provide true mid-twenties mpg figures (I?ve seen many reports of modified Land Rover Discoveries (33-35? tires) with 2.8 Powerstroke swaps turning in this type of mileage on the freeway, and these are similar weight, lack of aerodynamics vehicles).

[Desert Dan]

I'll pass on the diesel.

I can't imagine being behind a diesel on a trail or having a smelly diesel Gerry can around or on my H3 or Jeep.

I know the new diesels are better just ask Dr. Z

I might go for a Cummings in a Dodge truck if I was doing lots of heavy hauling with a 5th wheel etc.

[usetosellhummer]

sad, I can't even chime in on this, such an old argument.
HUMMER love it or don't buy it, it's like nothing else.

[NastyH3]

This is a place can do custom engine tunes and set the top speed higher for the H3. http://www.nelsonperformance.com/

More top speed for the H3, ok but why bother.

S.

[NEOCON1]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Yep, fun, turds and all.

S.

LMFAO that about killed me

[djaqualight]

I have had ZERO problems with speed/acceleration driving on the Dallas freeways daily. I love everything about about my H3. I test drove it, loved it, and signed the dotted line.

[Michael1]

I think they should have put the V8 in from the start along with 6-speed manual and auto boxes. Americans are great with V8s, and they should stick with what they are good at. My Corvettes and F-bodies with V8s and 6-speed manuals have been a blast to drive. The sound alone is worth any gas they use. A lot of the V8s in trucks are getting nearly as good mileage as the V6s. Look at a new Tahoe. It gets better highway mileage than the I5 H3, and only one mpg less in the city. That thing weighs nearly 1000 pounds more than an H3, and has more frontal area. The I5 is awfully thrashy, and has a lot of resonance, too.

As far as diesels, it is a maybe. The emissions equipment to reduce NOx and particulates is reducing the mileage benefit somewhat. Meanwhile, new features such as direct injection on the gasoline engines is raising their efficiency.

Michael