Home » Car Reviews » Hummer » H2 » 2003 Hummer H2 Full-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle
2003 Hummer H2 Full-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle
…Continued
Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
While sales of the super capable (and super clumsy) renamed civilian Hummer have been slow, General Motors bought into the brand in order to beef up their truck image and the Hummer2 is the result. Bob Lutz, is now the Vice Chairman of GM and crows, "Getting the world wide marketing rights to AM General (AMG) gives GM the Hummer brand; an iconic brand, a bigger than life off road brand, and it comes with an undiluted heritage." He explains how when he was President of Chrysler that he encouraged Jeep to create a prototype that was a consumer production version of the Humvee, but (then Chairman) Bob Eaton shot it down. Lutz says that when he saw the GM H2 concept it foretold extreme bad news for the competition. "The soft luxury market is crowded, but this goes a new direction with more capability than you're likely to ever need. It's like a titanium diver's chronometer versus a gold and diamond studded boutique watch."
It is easy for a jaded observer to dispense with the Hummer2 as just a mean and ugly body on a family truck chassis. But it's evident when one considers that the majority of the parts are from the bigger and more rugged 3/4 ton 2500 Suburban series, that there is remarkable attention to entry and departure angles and ground clearance, and many changes and additions to the drive train just for off road capability. These are design improvements that a small company like AM General never could have financed. Jim Armour, president/CEO AM General agrees, "The H2 is an authentic Hummer. We have gained remarkably from the association with GM in manufacturing capability and engineering expertise." And we have to add, deep pockets.
There are heavy duty tubes built off the side frame that provide crash protection and a mounting point for entry assist steps, but mainly serve as rocker panel protection against rocks and trees. Great effort has been spent on raised cross-members and suspension bits for better ground clearance. Even with a shorter length, the frame is deep and boxed from front to rear for strength. The front and rear crash capability is sacrificed a bit to help entry and departure angles. And there is a tow hitch receiver in front as well as rear to mount a winch and to pull out other SUVs. Perhaps the most uncommon and defining items are lockable differentials for the transfer case and rear drive axle.
Said Michael C. DiGiovanni, HUMMER general manager. "H2 takes the characteristics of H1 and refines them even further, adding more creature comforts while maintaining off-road leadership."
Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
