AMERICA'S ODD OFF-ROADER GOES FROM AN ECCENTRIC FIVE TO AN EVEN EIGHT.
Hummer's slamm-caliber H3 started life in 2005 as a tribute less to military hardware than to the old Daktari-style Land Rover,the one with narrow-gauge body,wee 2287cc engine,and storied off-road abilities.The current H3's reletively weeny 242-hp,3.7-liter five-cylinder,smaller body,voluminous23 galloon fuel tank,and optional wall-crawling 4:1 low range are actually ideal attibutes for slow-speed sojours in wild lands where fuel sparse and big engines just wast it.
Alas,even among H3 buyers,the serious safari types would barely fill a jury box.In the paved world,with its short on-ramps and shorter tempers,the five-cylinder is stressed hauling the H3's 4900-pound curb weight to expressway speed's.So Hummer bulks up for 2008 with the H3 Alpha,featuring a pushrod 5,3 liter V-8 with300 horsepower and,more important,320 pounds-feet of torque.
Alpha is Hummer's step-up brand,formely applied to the original civilian Humvee,the H1.The five-cilynder H3 remains in the lineup,starting at $30,695.The H3 Alpha digs in at $39,260.
The V-8 comes with a four speed automatic and is wrapped in the Alpha equipment package,which includes more deluxe interior decor,a Mansoon stereo witha six-CD changer,various power widgets,chromed wheels and trim,and a lower rear-end ratio.Towing capacity rises to a ski-boat-rated 6000 pounds.Plus,Hummer says the V-8 is better for slogging through deep sand where low-speed torque is vital.
Slogging through deep rush hour,the Alpha accelerates more effortlessly and makes V-8 rumbles,but it will never be called gazzele-like.It should slip under the nine-second mark to 60 mph(the five-cylinder does it in about 10 seconds).The ride is still bouncy,the visibility still sacrificed on the small-window altar of macho styling.
With the Alpha,the H3 becomes less an American Land Rover and more a typical Hummer.
....THE REST OF THE LINEUP
H1: Hummer's original product is now available only on special order.
H2: This behemoth gets a version of the Cadillac Escalade's 6.2-liter V-8 with 393 horsepower and nattier interior,plus frame, suspension,and eletrical-system upgrades inherited from GM's redesigned GMT900 full-size trucks.
Here are the main tehnical specification's:
VEHICLE TYPE:front-engine,4 wheel-drive,5 passenger,5 door wagon
BASE PRICE : $39,260
ENGINE TYPE:pushrod 16-valve,V-8,aluminium block and heads,port fuel injection
Displacement..........................325 cu in,5237cc
Power(SAE net).....................300bhp @ 5200 rpm
Torque(SAE net)...................329 lb-ft @ 400 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheel base 111.9 in Lenght:186.7in
Widht: 85,5in Height 74,5 in
Curbweight:4900 lb
PERFORMANCE(C/DEST)
Zero to 60 mph.....................8,5 seconds
Standing1/4mile...................16,5 seconds
Top speed(governor limited)..99 mph
PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY(C/DEST)
EPA city driving....................12 mpg
EPA highway driving............18mpg