Not Done Yet: Hummer H3, H3T get biofuel capability, new colors for 2010
2010 Hummer H3 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Can a Hummer be green? The brand that most obviously represents American excess in the minds of environmentalists – though Hummer's vehicles aren't actually worse than any other large SUV – has seemingly been fighting off its negative stigma since shortly after the introduction of the larger-than-life H2. Part of the brand's hopeful transformation includes giving each model a flex-fuel variant, and the latest application of that principle is seen on the 2010 H3 and H3T.
Interestingly, the engine that gets the E85 capability is the largest and most powerful option: the 5.3-liter V8 as fitted to the top-level Alpha series – not the slightly more fuel efficient inline-five. In any case, anyone who ticks the V8 box on the options list will be blessed with 300 horsepower, 320 lb-ft of torque and the ability to pump ethanol into the tank if he or she should so desire.
Not green enough for you? Baby steps, people... Hummer CEO James Taylor (no, not that James Taylor) promises bigger eco steps in the near future, saying, "This is just the first step in Hummer's evolution to offer responsible, yet highly capable all-terrain vehicles. Future models will be lighter, more efficient and will continue to offer the best blend of off-road capability and on-road performance."
In related news, the 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T will be offered with three new premium exterior colors for 2010: Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic. Huh, no green? Each of the three new hues can be seen in our photo gallery below, and you can view the official press release after the jump. Enjoy!
Gallery: 2010 Hummer H3 and H3T
[Source: Hummer]
PRESS RELEASE:
HUMMER Introduces Biofuel Capability, New Colors for the 2010 H3 and H3T
DETROIT - HUMMER announced today updates to the 2010 HUMMER H3 and H3T midsize all-terrain vehicles including the addition of three new exterior colors and an available E85 Flex Fuel capable 5.3L V8 engine as part of its commitment to offer a biofuel powertrain in all body styles by 2010. Both H3-based vehicles will begin arriving in dealerships before the end of 2009 in North America.
"In 2007, HUMMER committed to offer a biofuel powertrain in every vehicle by 2010 and follows through on that promise with the addition of a new 300-horsepower, E85 Flex Fuel capable 5.3L V8," says James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. "This is just the first step in HUMMER's evolution to offer responsible, yet highly capable all-terrain vehicles. Future models will be lighter, more efficient and will continue to offer the best blend of off-road capability and on-road performance."
The new 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel engine is standard in all 2010 Alpha series' models and is a powerful and efficient member of GM's legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm). 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.
A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 5.3L engine. Flat towing is enabled on all H3 and H3T models.
HUMMER also continues to expand customer choice with the introduction of three new premium colors for 2010, which include Red Rock Metallic, Silver Stone Metallic, and Canyon Metallic.
The H3 and H3T feature an extensive list of standard equipment, including full-time electronic four-wheel drive; Hill Start Assist; Stabilitrak electronic stability control system; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control; roof-rail side curtain airbags and dual-stage frontal air bags with passenger sensing system; tire pressure monitoring system; OnStar; bluetooth hands-free capability and HUMMER's premium five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty plan.
Pricing for the 2010 model year H3 remains unchanged from 2009, with a starting MSRP of $33,390. H3T pricing begins at $30,915, a slight $165 increase from 2009. HUMMER has lowered the 2010 H3T Alpha price $335 with a new MSRP of $35,680. All 2010 models also include destination charges of $780.
The 2010 HUMMER H3 and H3T are scheduled to arrive in dealerships in December 2009.
About HUMMER
HUMMER is premium all-terrain vehicle manufacturer, with a product line-up that consists of the H2, H2 SUT, H3 and award-winning H3T. HUMMER models are available today in 38 countries around the globe.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sea Urchin 1:29PM (11/06/2009)
I'll take my Hummer in Pollution Black please, Mao Red is also pretty cool.
Reply
Tool 1:44PM (11/06/2009)
HUMMER is so 2001.
GM was actually masterful in creating and building this brand, tapping into the zeitgeist earlier this century. But now the market has changed and I don't see how this marque ever plays to more than a very narrow sliver of buyers.
Matt 2:11PM (11/06/2009)
I'll take my Hummer in "run over your God damned pansy Prius" gunmetal, please.
some1 2:11PM (11/06/2009)
Because a Hummer is so much worse than any other SUV on the market...
Stop drinking the kool-aid.
I used to be the "thing" to own a hummer, now its the "thing" to bash it... way to be a tool.
Mark 1:34PM (11/06/2009)
I'm guessing there still won't be any diesel, especially since...well you know. Damn shame that. Speaking of which what is the whole situation with the 4.5L Duramax? Is it still coming or what?
Reply
StickShift 1:57PM (11/06/2009)
Last I heard, it was indefinitely delayed during the cash crunch leading up to bankruptcy. I think that it will come out the minute gas prices go up and GM can justify the cost to buyers.
Too bad GM can't offer the motor in these tanks - a diesel is the only motor that makes sense in something like this.
BoxerFanatic 1:40PM (11/06/2009)
H3T seems like quite a cool truck, but even the smallest H-model, it is still pretty darn large, physically. I'd probably be more in line for an H4T, if there were such a thing...
Biofuel... not impressed. Not really keen on burning foodstuff-grade corn in my fuel tank. And I am from Iowa. If it were 2nd-hand-veggie-oil diesel, or algae-diesel, I'd be more impressed.
Too bad this brand wasn't explored to it's potential, and hampered by short sighted folks who don't realize that some people use utilitarian vehicles.
Reply
Glock23 2:07PM (11/06/2009)
There is nothing wrong with the brand other than it became the poster child of hate from the environmental movement and those obsession with the religion of being "green"....
Reply
fixitfixitstop 6:43PM (11/08/2009)
Nah. There's plenty of things wrong with it. Hummers (besides the H1) offer neither real offroad performace nor luxury fitting the price nor ample interior storage. A lifted Denali is a better deal.
Any time there is a fad in any industry, there will be a brand which comes in late and leaves early. If there was brand equity established before 1990, Hummer might not have had the reputation it gained.
4x4North 9:09AM (11/09/2009)
fixitfixitstop: The H2 and H3 are some of the best stock, off the showroom floor offroad vehicles you can buy. From Rod Hall's team racing stock trucks and winning event after event after event, to owners conquering trails that modded rigs have troubles accomplishing, there's no doubt in the minds of those who are informed. Informed is the key word here.
This hobby is amusing, no matter how much you accomplish, no matter what trails these vehicles traverse, you still have the knuckleheads who are too proud to admit that another vehicle that isn't to their liking is actually GOOD.
I think Four Wheeler Magazine said it best--- "On the trail, you can put the H3 up against anything in its class, and it easily dominates everything short of a JK--and even then, there are some situations and types of terrain where it is equal to or better than the Jeep. Ignore the anti-Hummer rhetoric; the H3 is a true alternative to the four-door Wrangler."
Here, enjoy this URL, and please continue to open your mind:
http://tinyurl.com/mr28s6
Glock23 2:11PM (11/06/2009)
"I don't see how this marque ever plays to more than a very narrow sliver of buyers"
You're right. Tesla now owns that trophey.
Reply
Tool 3:21PM (11/06/2009)
Yeah right.
Go look at HUMMER's YTD sales. Down 64% from 2008.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20091009/ANA01/910099992
I'm not sure why you are bringing Tesla into the argument, but that company is a start up with an entirely new technology. Not exactly comparable to HUMMER.
neptronix 5:31PM (11/06/2009)
Here's one striking, insidious fact about the hummer:
It's over 6000 pounds.
That's the heaviest SUV out there.
For tax and emissions purposes, anything over 6000 pounds classifies as a commercial truck. It's a great way to get around emissions regulations ( CAFE ) and also earn a tax credit.
The hummer is not the only grossly inefficient SUV out there. There is also the mercedes G Wagen, but they sell what, 10 of those a year here?
Reply
fixitfixitstop 6:45PM (11/08/2009)
The G is an actual offroad vehicle and always has been. Unfortunately it became a douchemobile once Mercedes returned to selling them in dealerships.
Avinash machado 2:21AM (11/07/2009)
I wonder whether the Hummer sale will fall apart like the Opel sale.
Reply
rmtemsguy 4:53PM (11/08/2009)
Personally I don't think that many people would care if Hummer disappeared. I know that I would not, but then again I am most definitely not a GM fan. I never did understand what the draw was for the Hummer. I don't think that it is particularly attractive, it's very inefficient, even as SUV's go, and last of all it's a GM product. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think that everything that GM produces is crap, just 90% of it. I have seen some improvement over the last few years in GM's quality, but certainly not enough. There are other SUV's on the market that will tow just as much, that are built better, that are more fuel efficient. I know that it is cliche' to say that people who drive vehicles like the Hummer are compensating for other shortcomings, but that seems to be true with the Hummer product line.
Reply