HUMMER H2 2008
HUMMER H2
HUMMER announced the 2008 H2, with a completely redesigned, more refined interior that combines luxury with HUMMER's legendary ruggedness; enhanced safety features and a more powerful engine that is coupled with a new, six-speed automatic transmission. The new powertrain combination improves efficiency when compared with previous models.
"The 2008 HUMMER H2 represents a major step in the evolution of this iconic vehicle," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "From performance to comfort to safety and overall refinement, the new H2 lineup delivers more of what customers expect from HUMMER; they will be especially impressed with the new, more refined interior."
HUMMER revealed the 2008 H2 at the New York Auto Show. The powertrain, interior and exterior changes also are included on the H2 SUT. The '08 H2 and H2 SUT go on sale later this year.
The new powertrain combination consists of a 6.2L all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine, rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW) - an increase of about 20 percent over the previous engine - and a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Performance-optimizing engine technologies, such as variable valve timing, and the six-speed's wide gear ratios, including a "tall" overdrive gear, enable the improved performance and efficiency over previous models.
"This is one of those rare instances where enhanced performance is matched with improved efficiency," said Walsh. "More power in the H2 helps make highway maneuvers, such as entering from a freeway on-ramp, feel effortless while simultaneously bolstering towing capability."
All-new, luxury-appointed interior
While drivers will feel the '08 H2's improved performance on the road, they'll appreciate it more while experiencing it in the all-new interior. It features a completely redesigned instrument panel, new seats - including a full third-row seat for two passengers- new door trim panels, new controls, new rear-seat heating/air conditioning system, new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system and a new family of premium radios.
"The new interior delivers a refined, premium feel while maintaining HUMMER's trademark ruggedness," said Dennis Burke, interior designer. "Everything from the flushness of the controls to the feel of the materials exudes craftsmanship in the H2's new interior, while the fine details, like leather seat piping, create a consistent, premium interior design style across the entire HUMMER family."
Seats in the H2 have a new, chiseled appearance and offer improved comfort. In fact, HUMMER engineers focused on every detail to improve interior comfort. For example, the front seat safety belts are now mounted to the vehicle's B-pillars rather than to the seats themselves. This change enabled engineers uncompromised comfort tuning for the seats. Front seat safety belt pretensioners are new, too, and are standard.
Complementing the new seats are new door trim panels and an all-new instrument panel and six-gauge instrument cluster that features a more refined appearance and better tolerances. In fact, the new interior is designed with interior gap tolerances of one millimeter or less. Soft-touch materials and new, more tactile controls enhance the feeling of craftsmanship. A new center stack houses the climate controls and a new family of GM radios - including a standard premium Bose audio system and an available surround sound system. The instrument panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout the vehicle - particularly for the second- and third-row seats.
Numerous available comfort and convenience features are either new or carried over into the '08 H2, such as a new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, a rear-view camera system and heated windshield washer fluid. OnStar and XM Satellite Radio are standard.
The '08 H2 also offers a remote starting system that enables the vehicle's interior to be heated or cooled prior to driving.
Driving experience
The heart of the '08 H2 is a new, 6.2L V-8 engine that uses variable valve timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. It is rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW) and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (574 Nm). The engine also features lightweight materials, including an aluminum cylinder block, which helps reduce the vehicle's overall mass.
The 6.2L V-8's technologically advanced features also help it meet new federal emissions standards a year before mandatory implementation.
A new six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmission backs the 6.2L engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio - including two overdrive gears - that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a "tap up/tap down" capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shifter.
The new powertrain combination helps the 2008 H2 and H2 SUT deliver an additional 1,500 pounds (680 kg) in towing capacity - an increase from 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg) to 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg). A host of additional powertrain revisions also contributes to the H2's improved performance and efficiency, including:
- Larger-capacity cooling system complements larger, more powerful engine
- Electric engine cooling fans reduce "drag" on engine, enabling more horsepower
- Regulated voltage control maximizes fuel economy by charging electrical components only when necessary
- New LAN electrical architecture is more efficient and uses less electrical energy
- Standard 3.73 rear axle ratio
Off-road acumen also was enhanced with the new powertrain system. The 6L80 transmission's tap up/tap down feature provides more control on grades and it offers automatic grade braking. It also improves the off-road crawl ratio to approximately 39:1 - an improvement of about 20 percent.
The transfer case is improved in the '08 H2; it is stronger with improved performance. A new traction control system also is standard, which helps ensure sure-footed traction in most driving conditions.
Driving performance off the road or on is enhanced by a revised steering gear that has a quicker ratio and improved on-center returnability. The driving experience also is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, tuned air intake and exhaust systems.