Hummer H3 : Top cars from Australian International Motor Show

Hummer H3

The Hummer H3 SUV/Tri/x is a vehicle from General Motors' Hummer division, introduced in 2006. The H3 is the smallest of the three Hummer models, and though the H3 concept car was a pickup truck, the final vehicle is a conventional SUV. Its GMT345 platform is based on the GMT355 which underpins the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC

Canyon pickup trucks. Built on a heavily modified Colorado/Canyon pickup truck frame (most major parts are functionally similar, but only a few brackets are actually shared), the H3 shares many driveline and ancillary components with its siblings.

The H3 is built at GM's Shreveport, Louisiana factory. Export versions will also be produced at the General Motors South Africa facility in Struandale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

In the American market, the H3 is priced from $29,500 to just over $40,000. Sales have been strong, with the 33,140 sold in 2005 making up 58% of Hummer's total sales for the year. For the first two months of 2006, 8,071 H3s were sold, 74% of all Hummer sales.

Hummer H3: Specifications

The H3 uses the 3.5 L (3464 cc) Atlas straight-5 engine. The same engine that is used in the Chevrolet Colorado/
GMC Canyon pickup trucks. This 20-valve DOHC unit produces 220 hp (164 kW) at 5600 rpm and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) at 2800 rpm. It is available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission that includes GM's Stabilitrak vehicle stability control. Its 111.9 in (2842 mm) wheelbase is 1.1 in (28 mm) shorter than the GMT360 SUVs. It includes an electronically-controlled dual-speed transfer case and electronic locking differential.

Since it is rated at less than 8500 lb (3856 kg) (GVWR), Hummer is required to provide official fuel economy ratings. It is rated at 16 mpg in the city cycle with both transmissions and 19 mpg (US) (14.7 L/100km) with the automatic or 20 mpg (US) (11.7 L/100km) with the manual on the highway. While the Hummer H2 will ford 20 inches (0.5 m) of water, the H3 will handle 24 inches (0.6 m) of water (it has been tested in depths up to 31 inches). The H3 is the only vehicle in its class to have a 2-speed transfer case standard.

Hummer H3: H3x

Introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, the H3x is a trim update to the Hummer. Added chrome and body-colored parts differentiate it from the standard H3.