Autoblog

We tried to get it going for last week, but John had violence visited upon his mouth which reduced him to saying "Spibit?" We're back on the podcast horse this week for Autoblog Podcast #82, though. We start off proceedings with the teaser pic of the Chevy Volt, which then takes us to a wider-ranging split-grille vs. three bar smackdown. Speaking of teasing pictures, the 2009 Dodge Ram showed up on the internets, and it turns out that Chrysler broke their own embargo by mistake. Whoops. Official pictures of an upcoming Mopar were also released, this time on purpose. Some minimally informative macro shots of the Challenger SRT-8 were released by Chrysler, much to our delight. Moving on, we touch on the looming cage match between the Hyundai Genesis coupe (and how quickly the tuner world is going to adopt and rock that platform) and the neo-ponycars. Speaking of a newcomer challenging the old guard, Hummer's HX made its mug known, and the concept is pretty much what you'll see when the H4 goes gunning at the Wrangler. Wrapping it up, we discuss some recent visitors to the Autoblog Garage, thoroughly eviscerating the Lancer ES before calling it a show. Since we took a week off, we give you the extra-value duration of 53:30. Enjoy!

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HUMMER's general manager, Martin Walsh, has put all the speculation about the long-rumored HUMMER H4 to rest, telling those assembled at a dealer conference that the truck will be shown in concept form in January at NAIAS as the HUMMER HX. The HX will become the H4, which is set to arrive in 2010 as a 2011 model. After giving up the details, Walsh then showed the dealers the actual HX concept. According to descriptions given to the website Hummer Guy, the 2-door, 4-seat HX rides on a shorter wheelbase and is not as tall as its stablemeates, yet is easily identifiable as a HUMMER, thanks to familial styling cues like the signature grille and glass-to-bodywork ratio. The doors are completely removable, as are the fender flares and roof panels. In addition, the H4 will have an optional slantback that evokes the original Humvee. One person who spoke to Hummer Guy said it was "like an enclosed dune buggy." Sounds promising.

Ahead of Detroit, pay attention to SEMA, too, as we have it on good authority that HUMMER will show off a couple of concepts based on current product that have a distinct shot at production if reaction is positive enough.

HUMMER's been keeping busy. It's spending money to improve its current offerings ('08 H2 and H3), further expanding the lineup (don't forget those H3T spy shots), and there's more in the pipeline (H4). The Sierra Club's favorite piñata isn't going anywhere, there are just going to be more goodies inside.

[Source: Hummer Guy]

There's no better moment than the day after Earth Day to announce a new smaller, kinder, gentler Hummer. Martin Walsh, Hummer's general manager, said "Our growth will be downwards in terms of size," and that begins with the now-official H4. Walsh also indicated there might be a smaller model than the H4 if need be.

The H4 comes below the H3 in the pecking order, meant as a compact SUV to go against competitors like the Nissan Murano. As such, Walsh said the H4 would be built on an upcoming compact GM platform, but didn't say which one. As long as Hummer-philes get the same gruff styling cues and useful ability in the dirty stuff, that shouldn't be a problem. Hummer insiders are apparently fretting that GM might "go soft" with the H4, but even Walsh readily admits, "We have to offer legitimate off-road capability."

Last year Hummer sold 56,000 H3's and 14,000 H2's. The H4 could bump those numbers up by an additional 40,000 units. Also in the pipeline are "bio-fuel powertrains '...in every single vehicle application," an H3 SUT, and even though it was ruled out late last year, news out of Australia is that a hybrid could even be in the works. It's a new day indeed. As for the H4, sources tell us to look for a preview of it in concept guise during next year's auto show circuit, likely in Detroit.

[Source: GoAuto via Top Speed]

One of the more common complaints about the GMT355-based trucks (Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Hummer H3) is their lack of power. When the H3 debuted, there were rumblings of the 5.3L V8 being slid into its butched-to-the-max bodywork. Unfortunately, someone forgot to measure the transmission. It turns out the V8 with the 6-speed automatic will not fit, and that's the combo the General desires to offer in their smallest trucks. To accomplish that goal, the GMT-355 platform is reportedly going under the knife. No word whether it'll take a stage name when the surgery is over, or if the moniker will stay GMT355, but look for the revised platform under the reportedly forthcoming Hummer H4. Following soon after will be a new Colorado, which is said to look something like Colorado Crew Cab Z71 Plus SEMA concept pictured above. The overwhelmed 5-cylinder is also rumored to be taking a sidestep - giving the 6-cylinder Atlas a place to live. We can only hope the quality of the interior will come up as well. The current GMT-355 trucks aren't filled with materials comparable to the Tacoma, for instance, but the sticker wants to play in that realm. Rebates to the rescue, but our real hope is that the next Colorado is good enough to stand on its own

[Source: GM Inside News]

Among the many showstoppers General Motors has planned for the North American International Auto Show in January, its military-inspired off-road brand HUMMER will be unveiling an H4 concept. The oft rumored H4 will be smaller than the successful H3 SUV that's currently driving HUMMER sales and will be slated to compete with the Jeep Wrangler. While the H3 is built on the same platform as the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups, we don't yet know what will underpin the H3. AutoWeek sources confirm, however, that it will not be built on a front-wheel drive platform. With the success of the H3 worldwide continuing unabated despite the fluctuation of fuel prices, the decision to produce the H4 concept should be an easy one for General Motors. Expect a version suitable for mass market consumption around 2010. HUMMER will also have a pickup version of the H3 on display at the Detroit show. With two new potential vehicles on deck, HUMMER appears ready to carve as large a niche for itself as possible out of the remaining pool of off-road warriors.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Related posts:

• New HUMMER truck coming in 2009
• HUMMER H4 may be back in the works
• HUMMER buggy being mulled to wrestle with Wrangler

Automotive News is reporting that a "new Hummer truck" will be launched sometime in 2009. HUMMER's general manager Martin Walsh claims the vehicle will have "unparalleled off-road capabilities" and be "recognizable from a distance." AN is a bit ambiguous referring to the new product as a "Hummer truck" in that we're not entirely sure whether the outlet is talking about a traditional pickup with a bed or referring to the new product as a truck in general though it could have a traditional SUV shape. We expect it will be called either the H3T or H4. Either way, HUMMER has learned with the H3 that downsizing its military-inspired macho looks and maintaining above average off-road prowess can equal big sales. The H3 (shown above disconnected from terra firma) is selling like gangbusters all over the world and has led to a 54-percent rise in sales globally despite the larger H2 waning in popularity.

Martin Walsh also mentioned that a hybrid HUMMER is not in the product pipeline, saying, "it does not allow the vehicle to demonstrate true off-road capability." Since off-roading usually occurs at speeds less than 35 mph, a true hybrid rock-crawler would likely need to run off of its batteries while bounding boulders. We have to imagine some clever software programming to create just the right throttle response would make for a compelling off-roader propelled by electrons. Either way, HUMMER does have plans for flex-fuel versions of its vehicles.

[Source: Automotive News, pic: FR Design]

The design of the horizontally-opposed engine has a myriad of benefits. One of the most common is its compact design, which allows the center of gravity to be lower in the host vehicle. Additionally, since the boxer's pistons cancel out much of the vibration, the rotational balance is second to none. Both of these advantages will lend themselves to the advent of the first boxer diesel, which will find a home within a variety of Subaru models in Europe and possible even here in the States.

Hiroyuki Ikeda, Subaru Europe's President, announced at the Paris Motor Show that the development of the H4 turbo-diesel boxer is almost complete. The design, pictured above, reveals two interesting tidbits: first, the turbo, which is traditionally housed towards the passenger side firewall on most Subarus, will be moved south of the crankshaft to retain the boxer's low center of gravity. Second, the new DOHC diesel will be outfitted with a timing chain, currently only seen on Subaru's H6 engines, and will be the first H4 so equipped.

If one of Subie's diesels does make it to this continent, expect it to reside under the hood of the new Forester.

[Source: GizMag via Straightline]

Analyst Rebecca Lindland from Global Insight Inc. is going on the record saying it's likely General Motors will cancel the Trailblazer (SS model shown) after the current model ends its run around 2010. Its replacement would emerge in the form of the Hummer H4, which would fill the role of GM's smallest body-on-frame SUV. Chevrolet will receive a new unibody SUV (or CUV?) at that time, perhaps a version of the Opel Antera that's crossing the sea to join Saturn's lineup in the near future.

The HUMMER H4 will likely be built on an even smaller version of the frame that underpins the Chevy Colorado and HUMMER H3. As body-on-frame SUVs are falling out of favor with the family crowd, the H3 will likely carry on the HUMMER cache with impressive off-road abilities and target the Jeep Wrangler as its closest competition.

[Source: The Detroit News]