Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Hummer quartet is a pretty sweet swansong

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Truck, Hummer, Specialty, Off-Road

2010 Hummer Robby Gordon Off-Road - Click above for high-res image gallery

We almost skipped the Hummer section of the General Motors booth this year at SEMA, concentrating instead on the plethora of Chevrolet Camaro concepts all around them. When we went back for a second look at the day's new design for the Graphics Camaro, we saw the truck above and figured we should probably reconsider avoiding HUMMER after all. We took some pics and scrounged up the press release which you'll find after the jump.

There were four different Hummers on display. The one shown above is a Robby Gordon Off-Road race truck that is absolutely ridiculous -- in a good way. This H3 was built to campaign in the 2010 Dakar Rally and is a full-blown, tube-chassis race truck, just like the Trophy Trucks you'll see running in the Baja 1000.

Next up was the Rod Hall Racing H3 Alpha. This is a stock-class desert runner that ran the 2009 SCORE International Baja 1000., meaning that it features a stock frame, stock suspension design and production-based engine.

The other two trucks were Hummer concepts. First up was the H3 Moab. Said to be inspired by trails like Steel Bender, Moab Rim, and Poison Spyder, it's a 300-horsepower, V8-powered H3 Alpha with dual locking differentials, a Rancho four-inch front suspension lift, custom rear spring-over conversion, and 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires mounted on custom 17-inch two-piece Monster Black Competition Beadlock Raceline Wheels by Allied.

Last but not least is the H3T Sportsman. It's been customized with a combination of powertrain modifications, suspension enhancements and an assortment of genuine factory accessories and aftermarket components. The standard Alpha 5.3-liter V8 has been boosted by a healthy 70 horsepower. Suspension upgrades include Light Racing JounceShocks and two-inch-diameter Rod Hall Racing piggyback reservoir-type performance shocks.

Altogether a pretty nifty quartet of Hummers that we'll probably never own. Check out the gallery and all the details after the jump.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: HUMMER concepts

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Hummer quartet is a pretty sweet swansong

SEMA 2009: Hummer quartet is a pretty sweet swansong originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to build VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Work, GM, Hummer, Specialty, Electric

Vehicle Production Group MV-1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember the Standard Taxi from the Vehicle Production Group? It's now called the MV-1, and production is slated to begin next year at the AM General plant in Mishawaka, Indiana. That's the same assembly location where the Hummer H2 is built, which makes sense since the MV-1 is based on the same GM underpinnings as the behemoth SUV.

According to its makers, the MV-1 is the first purpose-built wheelchair-accessible vehicle in America, and it's able to accommodate up to six adults or two full-size wheelchairs. An ADA-approved ramp that stows under the vehicle's floor and a 36-inch wide side opening are designed to make entry and exit a simple affair.

With its body-on-frame construction made with fully boxed rails, the MV-1 should prove to be a durable people mover and its well-known GM drivetrain components should also be easily serviceable. Further, VPG has teamed up with Clean Energy to develop a dedicated compressed natural gas powertrain option that will provide a 250-mile range with significantly reduced emissions.

Styling wise, the MV-1 may not be the prettiest machine on the road, but for those needing to transport wheelchair-bound passengers, this design may just be a thing of beauty. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Vehicle Production Group MV-1

[Source: VPG Autos, Detroit Free Press]

AM General to build VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Hummer owners believe they've made "a highly moral consumption choice"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST

There probably isn't any one passenger vehicle on earth that earns more ire from environmentalists than the Hummer H2. While the reality of the matter is that most Hummers aren't really much worse when it comes to fuel mileage and overall emissions than any other giant SUV (most civilian Hummers are, in fact, based largely on truck platforms from General Motors) the brand has seemingly been made into the poster child of American excess.

Interestingly, however, according to a small study of 20 Hummer owners published in the Journal of Consumer Research, that stigma may actually be a selling point for those who purchase Hummers. According to the authors of the study:

As we studied American Hummer owners and their ideological beliefs, we found that they consider Hummer driving a highly moral consumption choice. For Hummer owners it is possible to claim the moral high ground... The moralistic critique of their consumption choices readily inspired Hummer owners to adopt the role of the moral protagonist who defends American national ideals.

It's hard to argue that this report offers a conclusive look into the minds of Hummer owners and Hummer haters alike - especially when the sample size is so small - and we doubt it's going to put an end to the debate over the seemingly conflicting rights of Americans to purchase the vehicle of their choice, consume or conserve whatever resources they deem necessary and breathe clean air. That said, it's an interesting bit of research, no?

[Source: Journal of Consumer Research - sub. req'd; via Wired]

STUDY: Hummer owners believe they've made "a highly moral consumption choice" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Burned-out Hummer limo spotted during wildfires in California

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Hummer, Specialty

Cause or effect? While driving home from Supercar Sunday at VCR, we spotted this burned out Hummer H2 limo on the side of the road near the heart of the wildfires in Southern California.

Was this behemoth the cause of, or alternatively, a victim of the fires? Perhaps neither. It may have just been a coincidence that the lengthy SUV lay smoldering on the shoulder near thousands of acres of brush near Mulholland Drive. Perhaps. But one thing's for sure - the party's over for this limo. Here's hoping that anyone that happened to be inside made it out safely.

Burned-out Hummer limo spotted during wildfires in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do HUMMER drivers get more tickets? A new study thinks so...

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Hummer, Scion, Toyota

Click above to view gallery of the Most Ticketed Vehicles

I had a yellow Chevrolet Corvette Z06 last summer. When I took it by my parents house, my dad warned me not to break the speed limit because sports cars were a big red flag for law enforcement. His logic made complete sense, but it turns out that sports cars aren't necessarily the the most likely vehicles to get tickets. That honor goes to the HUMMER H2 and H3. ISO Quality and Planning, which does studies for insurance companies, found that HUMMER drivers are four times more likely to get a ticket than the average driver. Nobody has any concrete reason for why this is, but some guesses include a misplaced sense of power or an inability to notice road signs and hazards due to an elevated driving position. Of course, it could also be that due to the brand's subconscious negative baggage, police officers are more likely to give HUMMER drivers a ticket than a warning.

Other vehicles that are more likely to be involved in a road violation include the Scion tC, xA, and xB. Those vehicles often find themselves being driven by younger drivers who typically get more tickets anyway. Surprising, though, is the fact that the Toyota Solara and Subaru Outback also made the list. Not exactly barn burners, there. Interestingly, eight out of the 10 least ticketed vehicles come from General Motors, while six of the 10 most ticketed vehicles come from Toyota. View the galleries below to see the entire lists of the most and least ticketed vehicles from the Quality and Planning study. Thanks for the tip, Droids1!

Gallery: Most Ticketed Vehicles

Gallery: Least Ticketed Vehicles

[Source: Newsday]

Do HUMMER drivers get more tickets? A new study thinks so... originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: 30-inches of bling for the Hummer H2

Drew Phillips — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Etc., Hummer

Click above high-res gallery of 30-inch wheels

It doesn't surprise us that someone makes a 30-inch wheel. It does, however, that someone actually makes a 30-inch tire. We are behind the times because Pirelli has been making the Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico in 315/30R30 sizes since 2006. We spotted two separate Hummer H2s sporting the tire along with two separate wheels - one with the Giovanna Caracas-8 and the other with Asanti AF 143, both, of course, in chrome. We'd really like to know how a Hummer H2 handles with 30-inch wheels in place, and we can't imagine what these do to the ride quality. The real kicker? We did a search for the Pirelli tires and found that they run for just over $2,000... each. If you include a spare like the blue H2 did, that means you're putting out well over $10,000 just in tires.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Battle of the 30-inch wheels

SEMA 2008: 30-inches of bling for the Hummer H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Hummer, Toyota, Off-Road

Click the image above for high-res gallery of the Autoblog Comparo: H2 vs. Landcruiser

The world's maddest battles usually earn a brief sobriquet: Red vs. Blue, Holyfield-Tyson, Lingerie Bowl. Although the battle we'll describe today isn't finished, the clash of HUMMER vs. Any Decent Off-roader - especially HUMMER vs. Jeep - has made so much noise on Autoblog alone that we decided it was time to investigate. Not having a Jeep at our disposal, we pitted an H2 against the Toyota Landcruiser on three trails in the California desert to find out if either of them had any quit - or if they'd keep going but complain about it. Follow the jump for the answer we came up with, and check out the gallery of off-road shenanigans below.

Gallery: Autoblog Comparo: H2 vs Landcruiser

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Continue reading Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2

Autoblog Comparo: Moving Mountains - Toyota Landcruiser vs. Hummer H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Hummer, Military, Specialty

It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.

We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.

[Source: Hummer Guy]

AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hedging its bets - HUMMER dealer anticipates doom, pre-emptively downsizes

Dan Roth — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Etc., GM, Hummer

There's no official obituary for GM's HUMMER brand yet, but haters are lacing up their dancing shoes while lovers wring their hands. Dealers with HUMMER franchises have a lot of skin in the game, so the uncertain future is bound to give business officers ulcers. Not willing to wait around to the bitter end, Milwaukee's Bergstrom HUMMER is planning to move into the same space as the group's Chevrolet store. The HUMMER-specific Quonset hut style dealership building will be toned down and pressed into service as an outlet for Certified used GM vehicles. Other HUMMER dealers across the nation are staring down the same conundrum, being on the hook for that big, rugged showroom, test track, inventory, and staff, while the parent company looks to clamp off bleeders. Some might follow Bergstrom's lead and shove the big trucks into a corner of a showroom dominated by a more stable brand, while others are shipping inventory as fast as they can.

Moving product is a tremendous challenge when the bobbleheads on the nightly news continue shrilly about the price of fuel and you've got a lot full of low-mpg, high weight trucks that happen to be a favorite target of vandals euphemistically masquerading as "activists." Customers that do make it through the door are looking for deals, and HUMMER will spot you five thousand bucks to take an H3, PLEASE. Existing customers are looking to get out of their vehicles any way possible, even if it means a financial hit. The mass exodus isn't solely due to hysteria, when it costs over $100 to fill the fuel tank, it chafes to watch the fuel gauge's precipitously quick drop toward "E." Retail issues aside, HUMMER still offers capable vehicles with a high level of style. If you've got a boat to pull, and want to look like the Governator, an H2 could still be just the thing, and now you'll be able to find one for a song; most likely the blues.

Gallery: 2009 HUMMER H3T

[Source: Inside Line]

Hedging its bets - HUMMER dealer anticipates doom, pre-emptively downsizes originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modded HUMMER H2s, Saab Aero X concept on the G.I. Joe set

Alex Nunez — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, SUV, Etc., GM, Hummer, Saab

Today is a movie day, it seems, and once again, it's General Motors in the thick of things. Via HISSTank comes a new set of photos from the G.I. Joe movie set. There, we see a couple of the modified HUMMER H2s that will be used, as well as the Saab Aero X concept. No word on which character's driving the latter. Storm Shadow, maybe? At least it'd match his threads. As for the HUMMERs, they are apparently equipped to traverse hedgerows. At least that's what we gather from those tacked-on rhino-style bumper mods. See more pics at HISSTank and mourn with us for the wholesale destruction of our childhood memories.

[Source: HISSTank]

Modded HUMMER H2s, Saab Aero X concept on the G.I. Joe set originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog does the Baja 500: Round 1, the pre-running

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Click above for a hi-res gallery from the first day of the Baja 500

Autoblog was invited to join HUMMER for last weekend's Baja 500 and, along with Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com, we'd be riding shotgun - or in Mike's case, backseat driving - with Chad and Josh Hall, sons of general off-road racing guru and Baja Hall of Famer Rod Hall. Having no idea what it takes to pilot a massive lump of essentially stock machinery at high speeds over rocks, jumps, ravines and cliffside single-track, the lessons - and the dust, heat, and bouncing - would be constant. Check out the gallery of hi-res images below, and follow the jump to find out about day one: pre-running. And that white helmet in the pic above? Yes, that's us, not The Stig. We eat Stigs.

Gallery: The Baja 500: Pre-running with HUMMER Racing

Continue reading Autoblog does the Baja 500: Round 1, the pre-running

Autoblog does the Baja 500: Round 1, the pre-running originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HUMMER attacks perception problems with "Purpose Built" campaign

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Hummer

HUMMER's image has always been one of excessive excess. While much of that portrayal is due to GM's own marketing, the people who purchase the imposing 'utes - be they high-profile celebs or well-to-do suburbanites - have done more to define the brand than GM's marketing boffins ever could. But the General wants to change all that.

Mark LaNeve, GM's North American veep of sales, service and marketing, is spearheading a campaign that's trying to show HUMMERs in a different light; specifically vehicles to get a particular job done. "No one criticizes a bulldozer for its gas mileage. That's because it's built to do a job," laments LaNeve in a USAToday interview. Fair enough Mark, but a bulldozer has a single-minded purpose - moving earth - whereas HUMMERs aren't always being used to plug mud and move boats. They've become lifestyle vehicles that are often not used for their intended purpose - just like the majority of SUVs on the road.

Regardless, GM's recent ad campaigns attempt to show the HUMMER in a more functional light, depicting the overblown SUV hauling firefighting gear and helping out with natural disaster relief. "Purpose Built" is the new tagline, but at the end of the day, no amount of PR will help HUMMER if people continue to see them parked outside the local Starbucks.

[Source: USAToday via Winding Road]

HUMMER attacks perception problems with "Purpose Built" campaign originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: HUMMER H2 SUT, or is it?

John Neff — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Hummer

Well looky, looky. KGP Photography has caught a lengthened HUMMER H2 SUT out testing in full military apparel, complete with a white star! Looking something out of a G.I. Joe play set, this tester has got a lot of extra inches added behind the B-pillar creating a bed much longer the standard H2 SUT. So what's going on here? Glenn Paulina from KGB surmises that this HUMMER H2 SUT may be riding on the GMT900 platform that's also used by the Suburban and the General's half-ton pickups. The current H2 SUT rides on an older GMT820 platform, according to Winding Road. This suggests that the H2 SUT may be maturing into a bonafide truck of trucks, with the intent of further distinguishing itself from the upcoming H3T. If this is true, it's also possible that HUMMER could be considering a lengthened version of the HUMMER H2 SUV itself, creating a kind of Suburban HUMMER. With the H1 officially gone, there's certainly no chance of cannibalizing your own sales, though that doesn't address the question of whether consumers want an even bigger HUMMER SUV or truck at the moment.

[Source: The Car Connection, Winding Road]

Spy Shots: HUMMER H2 SUT, or is it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HUMMER headed to Japan in spring of '08

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:47:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Japan, Hummer

Japanese fashionistas are getting a three-ton present from the General this coming spring when it will begin shipping HUMMERs to the Land of the Rising Sun. Martin Walsh, HUMMER's General Manager, told the Detroit News that despite slow vehicle sales in Japan, the island nation will become another niche player for GM's iconic off-roader.

Although Walsh remained mum on what models will be making their way across the Pacific, we were surprised during our recent trip to Japan when we saw a few H2s and H3s making the rounds on Japan's congested motorways. The HX concept revealed yesterday would be an obvious candidate for consumers abroad, and we're convinced that an H5 kei-car would be a winner if HUMMER ever decided to think small(ish).

[Source: Detroit News]

HUMMER headed to Japan in spring of '08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA honors four vehicles as most accessory friendly

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hummer, Nissan

Because so much of what SEMA is about concerns the aftermarket, each year the organization honors the most accessory-friendly vehicles with an award. This isn't to say that these are the best vehicles on the market, but rather that each represents a car or truck where the manufacturer has worked with the aftermarket and SEMA to help make accessories more readily available from the time the vehicle is launched. They also show how these manufacturers are thinking ahead and planning for customization during the design process to make modifying the car easier after it's launched. There are four classes thus rewarded: Car, Truck, and SUV. The categories have grown this year to include hybrids as a separate group. For 2007, the awards went to the Nissan Titan in the Truck category, the Cadillac CTS won in the Car category and the Hummer H2 won in the SUV category. The Hybrid award went to the Chevy Tahoe. Perhaps the ONLY design award some of these vehicles will ever win.

[Source: SEMA]

Continue reading SEMA honors four vehicles as most accessory friendly

SEMA honors four vehicles as most accessory friendly originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2007: HUMMER H2 Safari

Alex Nunez — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show, SUV, GM, Hummer

The PR materials for the HUMMER H2 Safari say that the big truck's matte olive green paint is designed to help it blend in on the trail. We get the idea, but while H2s may do many things, "blending in" ain't exactly one of 'em, low-key paint notwithstanding. So, while it may scare away the gazelles you're trying to hunt, you can still take advantage of the amenities, of which there are many.

A sliding canvas roof panel opens up the big HUMMER's interior to Mother Nature, and the experience can be made even airier thanks to the removable rear quarter windows. Inside, you enjoy the new Gaia-enhanced drive from weather-resistant nylon-covered seats, and the instrument panel has been gussied up in matching colors and brushed metal trim. A dockable GPS sits on the center console, too. While a pith helmet is not included, fuel and gun racks are, as well as a boatload of gear like a Warn winch, 35" Mickey Ts, and a sampling of official HUMMER accessories.

As is the case with the H3R, HUMMER's closely watching the reaction to this concept. If it's good enough, a similar H2 in limited-production form is a distinct possibility. We can already see the TV commercial: it would be just like the Jeep one where friendly forest critters jump through the Liberty's open top, only in this one, a Partagas-chomping Bob Lutz would be driving the open-roofed HUMMER, from which he'd be blowing away attacking terradactyls and sabre-toothed tigers with a Desert Eagle. For that reason alone, this must see production.

[Source:GM]

Gallery: SEMA 2007: HUMMER H2 Safari

Continue reading SEMA 2007: HUMMER H2 Safari

SEMA 2007: HUMMER H2 Safari originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Fergie's lovely lady H2

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Auctions, Etc., Hummer

Looks like all those Live Earth concerts a few months back had an effect on at least one person. Fergie, one of the featured acts, has decided that her copper green Hummer is not green enough, and is parting with it on eBay. All proceeds from the sale will go to Global Green USA, which is fighting climate change, naturally.

Since this is Fergie, you know the truck's been pimped. Featured in the October '05 issue of DUB magazine, it's got a dropped suspension, chrome for days, drop-down running boards with "Fergie" cut out of them -- twice on each side, and 24" Asante wheels on Pirelli Scorpions. Since it's the ride of a recording artist, it has also had the requisite sound system surgery, with green suede and carbon fiber swaddling enough equipment for an entire electronics store. And the seats look like they were designed for a family of green bumblebees.

The bidding is up to $61,000. The vehicle comes with a certificate of authenticity and ten years of carbon credits to offset its impact. Lovely lady humps will not be included.

Thanks for the tip, Julio!

[Source: eBay]

Gallery: Fergie's HUMMER H2

eBay Find of the Day: Fergie's lovely lady H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Model T takes on a HUMMER in hill climb

Chris Tutor — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Hummer

It wasn't a fair fight at all, but for funsies, a vintage-car hill-climb allowed Forbes Magazine to enter a late model HUMMER H2. You know, just to see how the 316-hp, 4WD SUV would do against, say, a 100-hp 1921 Model T driven by a 70-year-old man. Like we said, it wasn't fair at all.

The HUMMER climbed the 475-foot-tall hill in 10.74 seconds and didn't even break a sweat. Among those not surprised at the HUMMER's prowess was Gary Le Fever, the Model T driver who was waiting at the top of the hill for the H2. Le Fever and his 86-year-old Ford had finished the climb in 9.96 seconds!

Not a huge difference in a conventional match-up, but considering the participants, an amazing triumph for the Model T's engineering simplicity over the HUMMER's hefty muscle.

BTW, the photo is for illustration only. The hill climb was, we understand, much larger.

[Source: Forbes]

Model T takes on a HUMMER in hill climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2

John Neff — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:49:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Green, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Hummer

Mark your calendars, because we're calling today a watershed moment for the advancement of diesel's acceptance in the U.S. General Motors has just announced a new 4.5L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel powerplant it plans to use in the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups, as well as the HUMMER H2. The new oil burner is expected to produce at least 310 horsepower and 520 ft-lbs. of torque. It features dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, a variable-vane turbocharger and aluminum cylinder heads with integrated manifolding that helps keep the overall package small enough to fit in the same space as the automaker's small-block gas V8s.

That's right, just imagine the possibilities. Wherever GM uses a small-block V8 gas engine, it could potentially use the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel. In a few years we could be driving diesel Impalas, diesel Camaros, maybe even a diesel Corvette! To quote GM's press release, the engine's small size gives it "the flexibility to introduce this engine in a wide variety of vehicle applications should there be future market demand." Indeed.

GM estimates that the engine will improve fuel efficiency by 25%, reduce CO2 emissions by 13% and decrease particulate and NOx emissions by at least 90% in its GMT900 pickups and the HUMMER H2. Whoever said the HUMMER H2 was on its way out will likely be proven incorrect after this engine debuts. Scheduled to be built at the GM Tonawanda engine plant outside Buffalo, NY, the 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel will be 50-state emissions compliant and meet 2010 diesel emissions standards, as well. GM claims its new diesel will also have NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels approaching those of today's current gas V8s, though we'll have to wait and see if that wish comes true. That wait should end in a couple of years, as the automaker states the engine will be available in Silverado, Sierra and H2 models built after 2009.

UPDATE: Pickuptruck.com's Mike Levine has learned from GM that despite sharing its name with the older 6.6L Duramax diesel that was developed in partnership with Isuzu, the new 4.5L Duramax was developed completely in-house by GM.

Check out GM's full press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2

GM announces new 4.5L V8 Duramax diesel for half-ton trucks and HUMMER H2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM loans Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn pair of Hummer H2s for a year

John Neff — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Hummer

Brady Quinn, former quarterback for the Notred Dame Fighting Irish and recently the 22nd pick in this year's NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns (Go Browns!), will be receiving a one-year loan of two HUMMER H2 SUVs from General Motors. GM put out a press release today that didn't provide many details as to why Quinn is being given the SUVs, but HUMMER was the sponsor of the 2007 NFL Draft, so perhaps it's a consolation prize for his infamous slide on draft day. No word was offered on whether Quinn will get the 2007 or 2008 models with their updated interiors. Quinn will take possession of his loaner vehicles this Monday, May 14th, at the Central HUMMER East dealership in Beachwood, Ohio. That's a stone's throw away from where this blogger lives, so maybe I'll show up and see if Brady wants to toss the pigskin around.

[Source: GM]

GM loans Cleveland Browns QB Brady Quinn pair of Hummer H2s for a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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