|
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
This year's round of updates to the Hummer H2 included an upgraded, redesigned interior, a more powerful 6.2 liter V8 and a new six-speed automatic transmission that, whether you approve of the H2 or not, did a decent job of updating the aging beast. All of that work under the skin was a bit subtle when viewed from the curb however, so Hummer is introducing another limited model to keep things interesting. The Hummer H2 "Silver Ice" limited edition will debut later this year.
Offering the towing capability that only a V-8 can, the 2008 H3 Alpha broadens HUMMER’s range of versatile, do-anything and go-anywhere vehicles. HUMMER announced the H3 Alpha at the New York Auto Show; it goes on sale this summer.
The H3 Alpha is the second member of HUMMER’s exclusive Alpha series, representing the pinnacle of performance, both off the road and on it. It comes with a new, 5.3L V-8 engine that delivers 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm)*. It is partnered with a four-speed automatic transmission and enables a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) – an increase of more than 33 percent over other H3 models
“H3 Alpha is, simply, the ultimate HUMMER H3,” said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. “It delivers all of H3’s renowned off-road capability, but with enhanced performance that is suited to a variety of lifestyles.”
In addition to the V-8 engine, the H3 Alpha also includes the popular “Luxury” equipment package, the Chrome Appearance package, 16-inch chrome wheels, a 4.10 rear axle ratio and special Alpha identification, including a prominent tailgate badge, horn pad badge and embroidered front headrests with the “Alpha” insignia.
For customers who want a more accessorized appearance straight from the factory, the Alpha model can be combined with the H3 X content, which includes bright roof crossbows, chrome fuel door, a body-color grille and unique spare tire cover, tires, wheels and center cap, and a brush guard. Additionally, HUMMER Accessories offers an exclusive line of GM-designed, manufactured and validated accessories that are engineered and tested for no-compromises fit, finish and performance.
“Because HUMMER stands for more than just off-road performance, the H3 Alpha builds on the style and refinement of the H3 lineup and offers a unique, instantly recognizable statement on the road,” said Walsh. “In short, the H3 Alpha matches HUMMER’s off-road expectations with on-road attitude.”
HUMMER Alpha models represent the top in performance, capability and comfort. The H1 Alpha was the first of these ultimate HUMMERs, and like the H3 Alpha, it offered a more powerful engine as well as unique styling and comfort features.
The H3 is the newest model to carry the Alpha flag, and represents HUMMER’s first Alpha model engineered in conjunction with GM Performance Division.
The H3 Alpha shares the same widely admired interior as all H3 models, including detail revisions and enhancements that have been implemented across the lineup. New child safety locks for the rear doors and easier-to-use power window switches were introduced during the ’07 model year and reflect customers’ input.
“Details matter, and our customers told us these details were particularly important, so we updated the H3 lineup to address them,” said Walsh.
Also new for the H3 Alpha and the entire 2008 H3 lineup are standard head curtain side air bags; they were previously optional. Additional standard safety features now found on all H3 models include:
HUMMER’s Rear Vision system and a navigation system are available. The Rear Vision system uses a camera mounted near the rear bumper to provide a view of objects directly behind the vehicle. Also, the safety and security of OnStar is standard, and its new Turn-By-Turn Navigation feature is available.
The H3 Alpha’s 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of GM’s legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm)*; and is similar to the small-block V-8 found in the Chevy Silverado, which was named the 2007 Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show.
“For jobs such as towing personal watercraft up a mountain to the lake, the small-block V-8’s torque performs with effortless ease and little impact on fuel mileage,” said Christopher Meagher, assistant chief engineer of small-block V-8 truck engines. “The 5.3L engine greatly broadens the H3’s towing capability.”
Effortless highway driving also is an attribute of the 5.3L V-8, which enables 0-60 mph performance of approximately eight seconds.
“All of the powertrain options in the H3 lineup deliver performance suited to different driving styles and needs,” said Meagher. “But when it comes to certain tasks such as towing, there is sometimes no substitute for a V-8 engine.”
An aluminum cylinder block is used with the H3 Alpha’s engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance. Like all of GM’s small-block V-8 engines, highlights include:
GM’s small-block V-8 engines are engineered to meet today’s more stringent emissions standards. In fact, the H3 Alpha’s V-8 engine beats the deadline for new, U.S. federal emissions standards by a year. And compared to truck engines of a decade ago, the small-block engine family is approximately 90 percent cleaner. Cast iron exhaust manifolds matched with four close-coupled catalytic converters help reduce cold-start emissions, which is the largest source of vehicle emissions.
A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the H3 Alpha’s V-8 engine. And, as with all H3 models, flat-towing is enabled.
HUMMER H3 and GM Performance Division engineers did more than simply shoehorn a V-8 engine into the H3’s engine compartment. Accommodating the new power plant necessitated the execution of a seemingly endless number of technical details – many of which have been implemented across the entire H3 lineup.
The H3’s frame was modified to accept the V-8 engine, and a special oil pan was designed to ensure constant oil pressure when driving on steep grades – a hallmark of HUMMER’s off-road capability. Also, the engine compartment front of dash was modified to accommodate the V-8, and a new steering system is used on all H3 models to deliver better on-center feel and even more improved off-road reliability.
To support the torque output of the powerful V-8, the H3 Alpha’s front differential case is made of cast iron; other models feature an aluminum case. New engine mounts, higher torsion bar rates to support the increased mass, and specific shock valving also are unique to the V-8-powered model, ensuring it continues to deliver the unparalleled ride quality – both on- and off-road – that customers expect.
All of the chassis and suspension changes were validated in real-world testing on off-road trails in Moab, Utah, the Rubicon Trail and other challenging off-road venues.
“Our engineers live, breathe and eat off-road driving,” said Walsh. “To say they sweat the details is an understatement.”
All H3 models pack HUMMER’s trademark capability into a midsize package. Compared to the H2, the H3 is 16.9 inches (429 mm) shorter in length, six inches (152 mm) shorter in height and 6.5 inches (165 mm) narrower. Roughly the same length as a midsize family sedan, H3 comfortably navigates city traffic and fits nicely in parking garages.
The H3 lineup also delivers exceptional rock crawling and climbing performance; it was engineered for off-road leadership among midsize SUVs. The heart of this capability is its electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system and suspension tuning tailored for off-road performance. In addition, the H3 features standard underbody shielding, brake traction control, and an optional 4.03:1 transfer case with rear locking differential.
Among its off-road credentials, the H3 can ford 24-inch (610 mm) streams at a 5-mph pace, climb 16-inch (407 mm) vertical steps and rocks, make its way through deep sand and race easily over sandy surfaces.
H3’s more maneuverable size provides advantages, such as a 37-foot turning circle that is about the same as a typical compact car, making easy work of parking lot maneuvers and tight turns when off-roading. The 9.1-inch (231 mm) ground clearance and maximum breakover angle of 25 degrees (with 33-inch tires) both make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving. Serious off-road performance is also aided by the maximum approach angle of 39 degrees and maximum departure angle of 37 degrees. These approach and departure angles permit the H3 to drive into a hole and back out again, without getting hung up in the front or rear.
The H3 is sold in 34 countries, with production in the United States and South Africa.
Overview
| Model: | HUMMER H3 Alpha |
| Body style / driveline: | 4-door, 5-passenger hard-top 4-wheel-drive |
| EPA vehicle class: | midsize sport utility |
| Construction: | welded steel frame, electro galvanized steel |
| Manufacturing location: | Shreveport, La. |
| Key competitors: | Toyota 4Runner; Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Pathfinder, BMW X3 |
Engine
| Type: | 5.3L V-8 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 325 / 5328 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.78 x 3.62 / 96 x 92 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Ignition system: | coil near plug, composite intake manifold, platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-resistance spark plug wires |
| Fuel delivery: | sequential fuel injection |
| Compression ratio: | 9.9:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 295 / 224 @ 5200* |
| Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): | 317 / 438 @ 4000* |
| Recommended fuel: | regular unleaded |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 6000 |
| Emissions controls: | close-coupled catalytic converter, Quick Sync 58X ignition, returnless fuel rail, fast-response O² sensor |
| Fuel economy (mpg city / hwy): | TBD |
Transmission
| Hydra-Matic 4L60 | |
| Type: | 4-speed electronically controlled automatic |
| Gear ratios (:1): | |
| First: | 3.06 |
| Second: | 1.63 |
| Third: | 1.00 |
| Fourth: | 0.70 |
| Reverse: | 2.29 |
| Stall ratio: | 1.90 |
| Final drive axle ratio: | 4.10 |
| Low range lock gear reduction: | 2.64 std, 4.03 opt |
| Crawl ratio (range): | 33:1 std, 50:1 opt |
Chassis/Suspension
| Front: | independent SLA torsion bar, 46-mm monotube gas-charged shocks, 36-mm tubular stabilizer bar |
| Rear: | “Hotchkiss” design multileaf, semi-elliptic dual-stage leaf spring, 46mm mono-tube gas-charged shocks, 25mm rear solid diameter stabilizer bar |
| Steering type: | power-assisted rack-and-pinion, with tri-bushing mount design |
| Steering ratio: | 17:1 |
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | 3.25 |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): | 37 / 11.3 |
Brakes
| Type: | electro-hydraulic power 4-wheel disc, 4-wheel anti-lock, four-piston opposed (fixed) front caliper/single piston sliding rear caliper with Dynamic Rear Proportioning |
| Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): | front: 12.4 x 1.1 / 315 x 28 rear: 12.28 x 0.47 / 312 x 12 |
| Total swept area (sq in / sq cm): | front: 69.4 / 448 rear: 51 / 328 |
Wheels/Tires
| Wheel size & type: | 16-inch x 7.5-inch aluminum |
| Tires: | std: P265/75R16 all terrain steel-belted Goodyear radials opt: LT285/75R16 on-/off-road Bridgestone radials (with ZM6 Off-Road Adventure package) |
| Spare tire: | full-size spare |
Dimensions
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 111.9 / 2842 |
| Overall length w/ spare and 33-inch tires (in / mm): | 186.7 / 4742 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 85.5 / 2170.6 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 74.5 / 1893 |
| Track (in / mm): | |
| front: 65 / 1651 | |
| rear: 65.5 / 1664 | |
| Minimum ground clearance front (in / mm): | w/ 33-inch tires: 9.1 / 231 w/ 32-inch tires: 8.5 / 216 |
| Step-in height (in / mm): | |
| Front: | w/ 32-inch tires: 24 / 609.2 w/ 33-inch tires: 24.7 / 628 |
| Rear: | w/ 32-inch tires: 24.5 / 623.5 w/ 33-inch tires: 25.3 / 643.5 |
| RTI | 21.7 |
| Approach angle (degrees): | w/ 32-inch tires: 37.5 w/ 33-inch tires: 39.4 |
| Departure angle (degrees): | w/ 32-inch tires: 35.5 w/ 33-inch tires: 36.5 |
| Breakover angle (degrees): | w/ 32-inch tires: 23.5 w/ 33-inch tires: 25 |
| Grade capability (percent): | 60 |
| Side slope capability (percent): | 40 |
| Water fording capability (in / mm): | 24/610 (at 5 mph) |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 4854 / 2206 |
Interior
| Seating capacity: | 5 |
| Headroom (in / mm): | |
| Front: | w/ sunroof: 39.9 / 1013 w/o sunroof: 40.6 / 1032 |
| Rear: | w/ sunroof: 37.9 / 963.5 w/o sunroof: 39.9 / 1013 |
| Legroom (in / mm): | |
| Front: | 41.9 / 1063 |
| Rear: | 35 / 890 |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | |
| Front: | 54.4 / 1381.3 |
| Rear: | 53.5 / 1358 |
| Hip room (in / mm): | |
| Front: | 53.9 / 1370 |
| Rear: | 49.5 / 1258 |
Capacities
| Cargo capacity (rear seat up) (cu ft / L): | |
| Rear seat up: | 29.5 / 835.3 |
| Rear seat down: | 55.7 / 1577 |
| Cargo area length (at floor) (in / mm): | |
| Rear seat up: | 32 / 810.5 |
| Rear seat down: | 63.5 / 1614 |
| Cargo area height (rear floor to headliner) (in / mm): | 37 / 939 |
| Cargo area width between wheelhouses (in / mm): | 42.1 / 1070 |
| GVWR, standard (lb / kg): | 6001 / 2728 |
| Payload, base (lb / kg): | 1150 / 521.6 (est.) |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 23 / 87 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | 6 / 5.7 |
| Maximum trailer weight (lb / kg): | 6000 / 2721 (est.) |
| Maximum tongue weight (lb / kg): | up to 450 / 204 (est.) |
*Pending SAE certification.
