Test Drive Hummer H2 since 2002 SUV
Flame Motor
Hummer H2. Price: not defined. On sale: from winter 2008 Hummer H3 V8 Price: Not defined. On sale: from winter 2008
Everyone got used to large and powerful cars Hummer H1 and H2. But the third generation does not lag behind the senior fellow. Sales of H3 with a 5.3 liter engine started. To fully appreciate the new engine, the first acquaintance spent on off-road
Test pilot
Maxim Egorov, 23 years old, car journalist, driving experience 5 years, personal car Mitsubishi Lancer
The platform for the test drive of the updated line of cars Hummer has become Holland. On narrow tracks under Amsterdam, huge Hummer looked like elephants in the dishwasher. Even the H3 looked great, and H2 and at all occupied one and a half of the strip, which forced local drivers to stop on the sidelines. The reason for the test drive was internal changes. Outside, no significant innovations. If you go to personality, Hummer H2 has acquired a new salon and an automatic transmission, and H3 awarded a new engine. For tests offered two asphalt and one off-road track.
Salon H2 was really dramatically: new panel, seats, covering. But what remains unchanged, so this is a brutality inherent in all Hummer. Special praise deserves quality materials. Plastic front panel became soft and pleasant to the touch, the same can be said about the skin.
The ACP handle has not changed its form, but the filling is now completely different. Four steps American engineers replaced six. At the same time, modes restricting the number of gears are preserved, which is very useful on off-road. The innovation is that now you can switch the transfer manually using the buttons on the steering wheel. At first it seems that special dynamics from H2 even with the most powerful V8 engine at 6.1 liters should not be waited. It seems, a three-ton car is hardly gaining speed, but it is only a subjective feeling. In fact, overclocking until hundreds takes only 7.8 s. Commendable.
The main feature of the manual regime is the ability to adjust the driving rate. If you drive along the highway and do not want to spend more fuel, turn on the transmission higher; If you need to go faster, select the step downward.
From now on, the V-shaped eight is installed on the smallest of the model range Hummer H3. Its length is only five meters at a mass of 2,300 kg. Really baby. But it is incorrect to believe that the H2 and H3 put the same motors. The volume of the engine H3 is less than 5.3 liters with a capacity of 305 hp Acceleration to hundreds takes 8.2 s. The result could be better if in addition to the engine here installed a new box. But the SUV got a 4-speed transmission, the same as on the previous generation H2.
As for manageability, both cars behave approximately equally. Thanks to powerful engines, they are not lost in the tail and are ready to ride along with many passenger cars. There is no barriers to off-road for them. Even the cargo H2 is ready to ride where there are no roads. The huge moves of the suspension and the four-wheel drive with the possibility of blocking allow you to overcome very serious off-road.
Both cars will appear on sale for the new year. The updated Hummer H2 will be collected on the Kaliningrad Avtotor, and H3 is import. A little story
Hummer began its history in 1992. Then the light saw the Military modification H1. A powerful car entered the USA. The car faced his brutality not only by the military, but also civil. So the Hummer brand in 1999 fell under the wing GM. In 2002, the model range was replenished with version H2. A large car has been demanding not only in America, but also in other countries, for example in Russia. Recommending H2, the company was thinking about a more versatile car. So in 2005, the light saw Hummer H3. Alas, like the first Hummer, new cars attracted attention, but sales ratings were not crumbling.
At the moment, the fate of the Hummer brand in question. Small sales make the concern think about the profitability of the brand. But, in spite of everything, new modifications appear, as well as there are several promising concepts. Such like a pickup on the H3 base or absolutely new HX development. Everything will decide time.
Driving
High landing provides excellent overview, powerful traction motor. Only in turns on the Hummer need to be inactive.
Salon
Everything is also brutal as outside. At the same time, the materials of good quality.
Comfort
The suspension is comfortable, in the cabin is spacious, the dimensions oblige.
Security
A large SUV provides security to passengers, that's just mass and dimensions do not add confidence when maneuvering.
Price
Prices for versions with new engines are not yet defined.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ High passability, spacious interior, brutal appearance.
- Big mass, high fuel consumption, soft suspension.
Specifications
Brand and Model - Hummer H3
Dimensions - 4782x1989x1872 mm
Engine - gasoline, 5328 cm3, 305 hp / 5200 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 4-speed
Dynamics - Max 160 km / h; 8.2 s to 100 km / h
Competitors - Ford Explorer, Jeep Commander
Our opinion
The update of Hummer H2 and H3 clearly went to them. Brutal H2 acquired a more attractive lounge and fast transmission. H3, as a diligent student, received a powerful V8 engine. Will it be able to somehow radically change the fate of the brand, let's see. New cars will appear in the salons at the end of this year.
Author: Maxim Egorov
A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [November 2008]
