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Banks 6.5L Humvee

Michael Harley — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Military, Diesel, MISC, Quick Spins

The military's High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), or Humvee to most of us, is a rugged four-wheel drive vehicle designed and manufactured by AM General. In basic trim, the truck weighs about 7,500 pounds. For a beast of this stature, that number isn't overly alarming... until you realize that its stock 6.5-liter turbodiesel, running power through a four-speed automatic and portal geared hubs, only sends about 113 horsepower and 219 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. Acceleration is leisurely, but at least the truck can get out of its own way.

Understandably, the situation becomes much more dangerous, potentially deadly, when the Humvee is fully armored for duty in combat zones - ironic, right? Tipping the scales at 14,400 pounds, the stock engine is only able to accelerate the truck to 60 mph in 43 seconds. Equally as jaw-dropping is the lousy stock braking system, as it takes a full 307 feet to bring the truck to a rest from 60 mph.

To help our troops make quicker entries and exits, Gale Banks Engineering has crafted the Sidewinder Turbo system with exhaust brake as an upgrade to the stock powerplant. When fitted, engine output jumps by about 50 percent. According to the dyno, 178 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque make it to the wheels. Acceleration to the benchmark 60 mph drops to 23.1 seconds, while braking falls to 243 feet. While those numbers still won't scare even the slowest passenger vehicle on your local highway, the improvement is dramatic - especially when under fire from an AK-47.

To demonstrate its wares, Banks recently invited us to drive both the stock and modified Humvees back-to-back at its headquarters in Southern California. (Note: The Humvee we drove was configured with some unique armor plating and a 50 caliber turret - we've been asked to hide both in our pictures.)

Driving Notes:

The stock armored Humvee (M1165 in military speak) borders on pathetic in terms of ergonomics, passenger comfort, and overall drivability. Not to be confused with its barely civilianized Hummer H1, the archaic military Humvee was unquestionably the most miserable vehicle I have ever piloted on public roads. Outward visibility, through brick-thick bullet-resistant glass was pulse raising. In stock form, acceleration was dangerously slow and throttle response frighteningly lethargic. Once moving, the heavy body oscillated back and forth as it floated on its squishy off-road tires (in a motion mimicking trailer sway). Hitting the brake pedal initiated a lot of grinding noise and only mild deceleration, as the inboard disc brakes howled while fighting a losing battle against inertia. I exited the M1165 covered in nervous sweat, verbally praising the troops who are forced to drive it daily under far less desirable conditions.
Banks works its magic on the Humvee in several different ways. To improve breathing, the company fits a new intake and a wastegated turbocharger. A large air-to-air intercooler keeps the charge temperature down, while new injectors (and a new injector pump) ensure fuel flow isn't an issue. A monster exhaust finishes off the power improvements. Another important upgrade is the exhaust brake, aptly named the Banks Brake, which uses the engine to supplement the mechanical brakes and slow the vehicle.
The modified Banks Humvee was noticeably lighter on its feet (likely strong enough to run neck-to-neck with a 1977 Mercedes-Benz 240D). Twice as quick is a huge improvement, and I was visibly more comfortable pulling into moving traffic. Running acceleration, from 40-60 mph, drops by half as well. This meant around-town throttle response was decent, and not a white-knuckle affair. The Banks Brake was set to automatically slow the Humvee each time I lifted off the accelerator (it reminded me of regenerative braking, but without any additional external noise as our soldiers prefer to arrive silently). Combined with the disc brakes, stopping distances were greatly improved.
Like the aging B-52 long-range bomber, the multi-purpose Humvee will be in service for many more decades as the military conjures up ways to sustain the program. Age and expanded roles have burdened the original light utility. Nevertheless, my initial impressions say that the Sidewinder Turbo system from Banks appears to provide a necessary shot of adrenaline to a vehicle desperately in need of vitality.

Banks 6.5L Humvee originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General Humvee C-Series kit is ready to order

Chris Tutor — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Military, Specialty, Off-Road

If you were looking forward to the day you could order one of AM General's HUMVEE C-Series kits, it's almost time to get out the wrenches. Details, photos and a pre-order form are live on the AM General website.

Most of the details are as we reported in August, with a couple of surprises. The C-Series will still be a kit requiring an engine but now starts at $59,995, $995 more than previously reported. The doors and top remain covered in rugged, minimalist, "canvas-style" vinyl, and the aluminum body will be assembled with heat-set adhesive, which will then be put together airplane-style with 2,800 rivets.

The bodies will be available with khaki, green or sand-colored paint over the "corrosion-thwarting alodine" treated aluminum panels. The composite hood comes with lights, latches and wiring pre-installed.

Inside, four passengers will have high-back cloth seats and air conditioning. Though we previously reported that the interiors won't be trimmed out, C-Series kits will come with a camo-print dashboard to hold the basic gauge package.

Options include a Central Tire Inflation System for $1,611 or CTIS with wheels, tires and beadlocks for $6,964, a 12,000-pound winch at $2,249, driveline protection for $985, heated windshields for $946, a geared fan drive (required for engines over 220 horsepower) for $3,588 and front and rear diffs upgraded to Eaton ELocker units for $2,452.

The first 50 customers can lock in the $60k price with a 10-percent deposit and can expect to receive their projects as early as next spring. AM's website points out that while all the parts they ship are guaranteed free of defect, once you put them together, the completed vehicle is not warranted by the company. And since General Motors owns the now-defunct Hummer brand, the finished product must be called a Humvee.

AM General Humvee C-Series kit is ready to order originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car

George Kennedy — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hummer, Military, Diesel, Off-Road

For anyone feeling nostalgic about the passing of the Hummer brand, or the actual wartime vehicle that inspired it, now is your chance to own a version of the original HMMWV, albeit without an engine.

After a 12-year hiatus from the civilian vehicle market, AM General is reportedly set to offer a kit-car of the C-Series Humvee. The kit will conform to U.S. government regulations and has been made possible by a deal with General Motors.

The kit costs $59,000 - and you still need an engine. A likely favorite would be a Duramax Diesel V8 and Allison transmission combination, as was found on the H1 Alpha. AM General estimates that an owner could buy the kit Humvee and outfit a powerplant and transmission for $75,000. Not bad, considering that H1 Alpha has an MSRP of $140,000 in 2005.

How is this possible? If you recall, GM was trying to unload the Hummer brand to Chinese-based Sichuan-Tengzhong, among other suitors. As we all know, a deal never happened and the brand rumbled off into the sunset. The deal with AM General worked so that the military Humvee producer could offer a vehicle to the public as long as it was fundamentally different from the H1. By offering a kit car, they apparently end-around much of the legal confines.

But that also means are other setbacks. The final product will not look like the civilian Hummer H1, and it will not have niceties like interior trim, power locks, door mounted mirrors, or even hard doors. It will simply be a four-seat, soft-top, soft door vehicle. AM General will offer 'add-on' factory options such as the Central Tire Inflation System, rocker protection, and potentially two-piece beadlock wheels.

As the story over at Hummer Guy puts it, "just remember - its a Humvee, not a Hummer."

AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humvee reborn on the battlefield... with a chimney?!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Hummer, Military, Design/Style

The military's High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), better known to most of us as the Humvee, has already served a long and distinguished career in the battlefield, and there have been a number of replacements waiting in the wings to take over where the HMMWV left off. Or, should we say, leaves off... assuming that ever happens.

It seems that the Humvee is set to get a new lease on life as military budget constraints are forcing the government to reconsider its replacement. But there are still some pesky safety issues to work out before American soldiers will feel comfortable inside the confines of the off-road box on wheels.

As you're likely aware, improvised explosive devices are an ever-increasing threat to the lives of American troops serving overseas. The Humvee, which traces its design all the way back to the year 1984 when it first saw duty as a replacement for the long-running series of military Jeeps, has seen a number of incarnations over the years that added armor and improved safety, but the latest version may feature something hitherto unseen: a chimney.

No, not a chimney like the one that peeks out of your house. This chimney, along with a V-shaped hull, serves to channel explosive forces up and away from the occupants inside. The structure of the chimney also serves to reinforce the vehicle, connecting its floor with its roof. Other advancements include a new set of doors that open up like barn doors, seats designed to absorb shocks and a sling that promises to lower the gunner into the vehicle in the event of a blast.

Read more about the vehicle here, and be sure to scroll down for the illustration.

Humvee reborn on the battlefield... with a chimney?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. military considers replacing Humvee with diesel hybrid L-ATV

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Truck, Etc., Government/Legal, Military, Diesel, Off-Road

The battle-tested AM General Hummer is on its way out and it's time to bid farewell to the aging military vet.

In the Humvee's place could step the L-ATV. The Wisconsin-built Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle is built by Oshkosh Defense. Powered by a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, the The L-ATV appears capable of traversing nearly any type of terrain.

The L-ATV is highly armored, can accept multiple armor configurations and has nearly unmatched off-road capabilities. Oshkosh's proprietary TAK-4i independent suspension system offers an impressive 20 inches of suspension travel at each wheel, which Oshkosh says is 25 percent more than any vehicle currently in use by the U.S. military.

While drivers of the L-ATV probably have more pressing issues to consider than the vehicle's carbon emissions, they no doubt don't want to be stranded by a vehicle that runs out of fuel deep in enemy territory. That's one reason why the L-ATV's diesel hybrid powertrain make sense (there are others). So, as the aging Humvee retires from active duty, do you think it will be the diesel hybrid L-ATV that takes over?

U.S. military considers replacing Humvee with diesel hybrid L-ATV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Pentagon looking for flying Humvee

Chris Shunk — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Military

During World War II, the Jeep was one of the key pieces of hardware that helped win the war for the Allies. By the time Vietnam rolled along, lousy roads and inhospitable terrain meant the helicopter had cemented itself as the troop transport of choice. But while both the Jeep and the helicopter are far more advanced than they were decades ago, the basic ideas are the same, and according to Popular Mechanics that could change - or more to the point, merge - soon.

The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is asking for proposals for a flying Humvee that it calls, predictably, "The Transformer." The new transporter would be used to avoid roadside bombs and fly over insurgents, giving U.S. soldiers the upper-hand in battles that are traditionally won and lost by bunkers, bullets and bombs alone.

DARPA has a few 'must haves' for any flying fortress. Among them is the capability of vertical takeoff, a combined 250 mile travel distance between driving and flying, along with seating for four. One military contractor, Textron, thinks it has the answer to DARPA's latest challenge, and it involves hardware that is anything but future-tech.

The proposed military transport has wings, helicopter-like rotors and a powerful ducted fan for forward motion. While stationed on the ground, the multitasking war machine acts like a standard troop transporter, except the wings and blades, which are affixed to the roof above the rear seat, neatly tucked away. When it's time to hit the unfriendly skies the aerodynamic bits switch to Ready mode and the weighted rotors lift the vehicle. Once airborne, the rotors slow and the wings take over, providing lift while the fan provides directional boost. Textron is working with Carter Aviation Technologies, which currently produces commercial air vehicles, to build the vehicle.

Head over to Popular Mechanics for more information on the flying fighter-truck of tomorrow.

[Source: Popular Mechanics | Image: dvice]

Report: Pentagon looking for flying Humvee originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humvee orders about to end, have you met the MRAP?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Military, Off-Road

United States Army HMMWV (Humvee) - Click above for high-res image gallery

We never really thought of the HMMWV (aka the Humvee) as a military vehicle with a "flat bottom, low weight, low ground clearance and aluminum body," but to American soldiers using the heavily-armored machines as their main source of transportation, those descriptors apparently apply all too well. In fact, the Humvee is downright dangerous in certain situations, namely when facing a roadside explosion from a remotely-detonated Improvised Explosive Device, or IED, which are the number one killer of soldiers in Iraq.

As such, the military went looking for a vehicle more appropriate for modern warfare, and what it found is called the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP for short. These heavily armored machines are raised high up off the ground and sport a V-shaped hull underneath to help divert blasts away from the passenger compartment.

The result: "Commanders consistently report that MRAPs, with their V-shaped hulls and added armored protection, are saving lives and reducing casualties," reports Major General Thomas Spoehr in testimony he recently submitted to Congress. The Pentagon expects there to be 5,250 MRAPs in use in Afghanistan by September.

So, 2010 marks the end of an era in military Humvee use. The Army will reportedly purchase about 2,600 more Humvees in 2010, which will be added to the current fleet, rounding the total number of units to 150,000. The last new Humvee will be ordered sometime in April. These remaining Humvees will be used primarily in non-combat situations and in parts of the world where IED use isn't an established battle tactic.

Interestingly, though, USA Today reports that Marine Corps Commandant James Conway has said the Marines are investigating ways to retrofit a V-shaped hull to the classic Humvee. Might there still be life left in the old bird?

Gallery: U.S. Army HMMWV (Humvee)

[Source: USA Today]

Humvee orders about to end, have you met the MRAP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Army to give long-serving Humvee honorable discharge?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hummer, Military, Specialty, Off-Road

United States Army HMMWV (Humvee) - Click above for high-res image gallery

The military-spec High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) has had a long and honorable lifespan, for sure. But there's no arguing that American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else the U.S. military is active need a new vehicle that's been designed and built to counter modern warfare tactics.

This being the case, it's not terribly surprising to hear that the final 2,620 Humvees have been ordered from Mishawaka, Indiana-based AM General by the U.S. Army. In total, AM General has produced 240,000 Humvees since 1985.

Just as the Humvee replaced the original military Jeep some 25 years ago, today's replacement is seen as a response to a revised set of needs in the battlefield, not the least of which is adequate protection from improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. More than 1,700 U.S. troops have died in Iraq alone from IEDs as of last month, and the military is responding by switching to Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPs, and the M-ATV from Oshkosh.

The Humvee story isn't yet over, however, as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force still have many of them in service. What's more, the Army's latest budget includes nearly a billion dollars to maintain its existing fleet of Humvees. Also keep in mind that the Humvees used for military purposes are not the same as those sold under the civilian Hummer brand, which General Motors is still working to sell to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery of China. For more Humvee goodness, check out the high-res gallery below. All photos are courtesy U.S. Army.

Gallery: U.S. Army HMMWV (Humvee)

[Source: The Canadian Press via Google | Image: U.S. Army]

U.S. Army to give long-serving Humvee honorable discharge? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Hummer H1 gets beaten with aerodynamic ugly stick

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Auctions, Hummer

Custom Hummer H1 on eBay Motors - Click above for image gallery

It takes a special talent to infantilize the brute strength of a Hummer H1, but someone's gone and done it with an oddly swoopy redesign. One of only two made (yes, there is another), this unique Hummer features a custom hood and front bumper, as well as a multi-section removable roof should the driver and occupants actually wish to be seen tooling around the neighborhood in this beast.

Inside, it's been all tricked out with a trifecta of television screens, ostrich leather interior, iPod-compatible entertainment system, sat-nav, back-up cameras...the works. Even the turbodiesel V8 has been tweaked and mounted with a polished aluminum snorkel, complimented by a chrome Mack truck bulldog hood ornament. Oh, and it has a $2,000 train horn, just in case someone can't see this behemoth coming from a mile away. All this can be yours for the low price of $89,900 or best offer.

Gallery: Hummer H1 custom on eBay

[Source: eBay Motors via Carscoop]

eBay Find of the Day: Hummer H1 gets beaten with aerodynamic ugly stick originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humvee with Boeing Laser Avenger blasts UAVs

Noah Joseph — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Hummer, Military

Remember those Saturday morning cartoons from when you were a kid, where futuristic soldiers battled with laser guns? Well if you were wondering what ever happened to that future we were promised, it's here. Boeing's Direct Energy Systems project recently concluded a test in the New Mexico desert where the Humvee-mounted Laser Avenger system successfully shot down three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a demonstration for U.S. Army officers.

The Laser Avenger was initially created to dispose of unexploded ordinance (bombs that didn't detonate) lying on the ground, but given the proliferation of UAVs for both surveillance and weapons deployment, Boeing adapted the lasers to shoot the UAVs out of the sky. The benefit over shooting down the drones with guns or missiles - in startling contradiction to the red lines depicted in the old G.I. Joe cartoons - is that the enemy can't see where the laser beam is coming from, thereby keeping the ground troops' position secure. Pretty awesome, unless you're a UAV. Fortunately UAVs are unmanned by definition, so what we're looking at here is lasers shooting down flying robots. You can check out the details in the press release after the jump if you'd like, but we're going to sit right here in our pajamas until the next commercial.

[Source: Boeing via NextAutos]

Continue reading Humvee with Boeing Laser Avenger blasts UAVs

Humvee with Boeing Laser Avenger blasts UAVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boeing Laser Avenger: Humvee with frikkin' laser on its head

Alex Nunez — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Military

Boeing wants more government contracts, and it thinks lasers are the way to get them. The company's Laser Avenger system is something it whipped together in eight short months, and it's pretty impressive. Mounted on a retrofitted anti-aircraft Humvee, the setup is being demonstrated as a way to zap IEDs from a distance, neutralizing them before the convoys and patrols they target ever rumble by. Its 1kw laser beam causes near-instantaneous detonation of the munitions its been used on so far, and Boeing's also hinting that it might just work as an anti-aircraft weapon, too. Trucks with laser guns might be a lot closer than you think.

[Source: Popular Mechanics via Instapundit]

Boeing Laser Avenger: Humvee with frikkin' laser on its head originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Military makes stronger Humvee from balsa wood and foam

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Hummer, Military

TPI Composites has built a Hummer for the Army that is made of composite materials. The Hummer loses 900 pounds of metal body panels and parts, which are then replaced with parts fabricated of fiberglass, balsa wood, foam, and carbon, with resin as a bonding agent.

That 900 pounds is then put back in the vehicle in the form of extra armor where the truck most needs it: in areas that will protect it from roadside bombs. The composite truck has some quirks -- like a body that feels like sandpaper, and the fact that the fenders bend and some other panels are pliable. Yet even though it weighs the same as a traditional Humvee, the point is that it's better built to withstand the threat that kills more soldiers than any other.

AM General and the Army spent 18 months doing R&D on the vehicle. No tests have been carried out yet and the Army hasn't committed to buying any. But if substituting metal for composites and additional armor is shown to save lives, then the vehicle -- which costs more than a standard Humvee -- could make a lot of friends in dangerous places.

[Source: Gizmodo]

Military makes stronger Humvee from balsa wood and foam originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is nothing sacred? Chinese release copycat Humvee

Siddharth Raja — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: China

UPDATE: The Crazy Soldier is, in fact, being built with the full knowledge and support of General Motors. Thanks for all who caught this.

It looks as though no car is safe from China's car copying industry - not even the U.S. military-derived Humvee. Guessing that there's an extensive market out there for urban assault vehicles, China's Dongfeng has released a new model it calls the 'Crazy Soldier,' which shares a striking resemblance to the original military truck created by AM General.

The Crazy Soldier was apparently developed over a period of four and half years, with engineers working closely with army officials and General Motors in an effort to design a vehicle that perfectly suited the needs of the military. They then added a radio and CD player, slapped a price tag on it and released it onto the Chinese domestic market.

[Source: China Car Times via Autoblog.nl]

Is nothing sacred? Chinese release copycat Humvee originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just the facts: AM General responds to Humvee spy shots

John Neff — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos

It turns out that the spy shots of what we thought was an AM General prototype for the next-gen Humvee was anything but. After seeing the pics appear on the web, AM General contacted World Car Fans with an explanation of what we were looking at. The vehicle shot by Brenda Priddy & Co. was in fact the Evolutionary Concept Vehicle II (EVC II), which AM General's been exhibiting in public at U.S. Army events since last year. It doesn't seem to be an official next-gen prototype of anything, but just a concept vehicle the company uses to generate interest.

We also thought that the Pentagon's project for the next-gen Humvee was called the Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS). While that program does exist, the one to replace the current Humvee is called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). AM General is working on a JLTV prototype for the program in conjunction with General Dynamics, but has yet to show it in public.

Despite it not being the real deal, the vehicle in the spy shots is still a bad ass truck that would like right at home on a battlefield, but we'll have to wait a while longer before we find out what the military will choose as its next whip.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Just the facts: AM General responds to Humvee spy shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: AM General Humvee prototype caught!

John Neff — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:52:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Work

click above image for more views of the AM General Humvee Prototype

Though normally hiding in bushes and waiting for the next-gen Mustang or Corvette Blue Devil to pass by, Brenda Priddy and pals sometimes spy things not meant for public consumption. They recently photographed a new AM General HUMVEE prototype that will be competing for the military's Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS) contract, which will produce the replacement for the current Humvee, of which some 140,000 are still in active service. Though prototypes from Lockheed Martin and other military contractors will also be submitted, this is AM General's bid to keep the Humvee in the game.

Follow the jump for more details and Priddy's own analysis of the vehicle that's aided by her consult with some military experts, and check out the high-res pics in our gallery below.

[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]

Gallery: AM General Humvee Prototype - spy shots

Continue reading Spy Shots: AM General Humvee prototype caught!

Spy Shots: AM General Humvee prototype caught! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: How not to make friends in Iraq while driving a HUMVEE

John Neff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

This video is pretty shocking to watch, as it's difficult to imagine anyone being able to get away with driving like that in the U.S., even the military. But then again, Baghdad isn't Boston and slowing down a HUMVEE for a traffic jam creates a target that's much easier to attack. Nevertheless, it's not difficult to understand why some Iraqis have a distaste for the U.S. military's presence in their country after watching this video, especially if they're car nuts. As we said earlier, though, we wouldn't want to see a video of what might have happened if the HUMVEE had stopped.

If you have a comment, please keep it respectful of the members of the U.S. miltary and the citizens of Iraq.

[Source: CarScoop]

VIDEO: How not to make friends in Iraq while driving a HUMVEE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to lay off 160 more workers

Chris Tutor — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Hummer

AM General says because of Hummer-sized dropoff in sales, it will cut 160 jobs at its Indiana plant by year end. Company officials say expensive gas and relatively large sticker prices are two obstacles even the lane-hogging Hummer H2 just can't overcome. H2 sales have also been cannibalized by the somewhat smaller and more fuel-efficient H3.

On an ironically positive note, U.S. government orders for military Humvees are outpacing the Indiana plant's production capability. AMG spokesman Craig Mac Nab says some of the newly unemployed workers might be moved to H1 production.

This isn't the first time H2 plant workers have been laid off. AMG let go 170 workers in January. The H2 plant also shut down for two weeks in October in an attempt to control overproduction. Is this the end of the lumbering, dinosaur-like H2? Or can it evolve into a more planet-friendly vehicle?

[Sources: CNN and The Detroit News]

AM General to lay off 160 more workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soldiers need a better HUMMER

Noah Joseph — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 18:36:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Technology, Work, GM, Hummer

It's been called HMMWV, the High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, Humvee for short, or HUMMER for civilian use, but it's been twenty years since DoD chassis M998 was put into service, and the Pentagon wants something new.

The Humvee slowly found its way into the civilian market when celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger began purchasing them for personal use, and the brand was bought from AM General by General Motors in 1999. GM recently took the Hummer H1 off the civilian market, replaced by the more modern and (comparatively speaking) more efficient and roadworthy H2. Now the Pentagon wants part of the action again with a new Humvee 30-40% lighter, more fuel efficient and with better armor to protect our troops.

AM General and GM are not currently competing for the DoD tender, but Navistar International (with the CXT) and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin are in the running.

The Humvee originally gained its fame on CNN during the first Iraq war, several years after it was put into service. Since then, new technologies - including vitals like drivetrain and lightweight/high-strength construction materials - have been developed that could prove useful on the battlefield.

[Source: Edmunds Straightline]

Soldiers need a better HUMMER originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HMUV military-grade 4x4 being developed by JCB

John Neff — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe

You might remember JCB as the construction equipment manufacturer attempting to set the diesel land speed world with its oil-burning Dieselmax H1, which just happened to make its first run last weekend. Its other project is this Hummer-dwarfing off-roader called the HMUV, for High Mobility Utility Vehicle. JCB has recruited a team of professionals to design and sell the 6.7-liter HMUV, including former Land Rover managing director Mathew Taylor who will head up sales and marketing for the HMUV. While not originally intended as a roadgoing vehicle, the HMUV could reportedly be sold to private owners using a commercial version of the 4.4-liter diesel engine being tested in the Dieselmax H1. For military use, however, the HMUV can be ordered either as a pickup or fully-enclosed people carrier.

[Source: AutoExpress]

HMUV military-grade 4x4 being developed by JCB originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Owning a HUMMER has never been so sweet

Joel Arellano — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:08:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hummer

Even if a HUMMER is not a sweet sight for a lot of folks, this post from sibling site Luxist is almost guaranteed to bring a smile. Artist Heidi Hesse has created a full-sized replica of the original HumVee out of gumballs. She created the hard-shelled SUV in dedication to the soldiers who gave candy to children during the recent wars.

While there's limited information on the gumball, steel, and wire mesh creation itself, it is currently on display at the MOCA Tucson in Arizona.

[Source: OMG via Luxist]

Owning a HUMMER has never been so sweet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Jul 2006 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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