PRESS RELEASE:
V-8-POWERED H3 ALPHA EXPANDS HUMMER'S RANGE OF VERSATILE SUVS
• Newest model in the
performance-bred Alpha series•
Powerful 5.3L V-8 powertrain offers 295 hp (224 kW)*
• Maximum towing increased to 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) – a 33-percent increase
• Unique exterior and interior features, including
Alpha badgingNEW YORK – Offering the towing capability that only a
V-8 can, the
2008 H3 Alpha broadens
HUMMER's range of versatile, do-anything and go-anywhere vehicles.
HUMMER announced the
H3 Alpha at the
New York Auto Show; it goes on sale this summer.
The
H3 Alpha is the second member of
HUMMER's exclusive
Alpha series, representing the pinnacle of performance, both off the road and on it. It comes with a new,
5.3L V-8 engine that delivers 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm)*. It is partnered with a
four-speed automatic transmission and enables a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) – an increase of more than 33 percent over other H3 models
"
H3 Alpha is, simply, the ultimate
HUMMER H3," said Martin Walsh,
HUMMER general manager. "It delivers all of
H3's renowned off-road capability, but with enhanced performance that is suited to a variety of lifestyles."
In addition to the
V-8 engine, the
H3 Alpha also includes the
popular "Luxury" equipment package, the
Chrome Appearance package, 16-inch chrome wheels, a 4.10 rear axle ratio and special
Alpha identification, including a prominent tailgate badge, horn pad badge and embroidered front headrests with the
"Alpha" insignia.
For customers who want a more accessorized appearance straight from the factory, the
Alpha model can be combined with the
H3X content, which includes bright roof crossbows, chrome fuel door, a body-color grille and unique spare tire cover, tires, wheels and center cap, and a brush guard. Additionally,
HUMMER Accessories offers an exclusive line of
GM-designed, manufactured and validated accessories that are engineered and tested for no-compromises fit, finish and performance.
"Because
HUMMER stands for more than just off-road performance, the
H3 Alpha builds on the style and refinement of the
H3 lineup and offers a unique, instantly recognizable statement on the road," said Walsh. "In short, the
H3 Alpha matches
HUMMER's off-road expectations with on-road attitude."
Alpha – the
ultimate HUMMER
HUMMER Alpha models represent the top in performance, capability and comfort. The
H1 Alpha was the first of these
ultimate HUMMERs, and like the
H3 Alpha, it offered a more powerful engine as well as unique styling and comfort features.
The
H3 is the newest model to carry the
Alpha flag, and represents
HUMMER's first Alpha model engineered in conjunction with
GM Performance Division.
Award-winning interior and safety enhancements
The
H3 Alpha shares the same widely admired interior as all
H3 models, including detail revisions and enhancements that have been implemented across the lineup. New child safety locks for the rear doors and easier-to-use power window switches were introduced during the
'07 model year and reflect customers' input.
"Details matter, and our customers told us these details were particularly important, so we updated the
H3 lineup to address them," said Walsh.
Also new for the
H3 Alpha and the entire
2008 H3 lineup are standard head curtain side air bags; they were previously optional. Additional standard safety features now found on all
H3 models include:
•
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system•
Four-wheel antilock brakes with
traction control• Dual front air bags with
Passenger Sensing System• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility
•
LATCH rear child seat anchors
HUMMER's Rear Vision system and a
navigation system are available. The
Rear Vision system uses a camera mounted near the rear bumper to provide a view of objects directly behind the vehicle. Also, the safety and security of
OnStar is standard, and its
new Turn-By-Turn Navigation feature is available.
Powertrain details
The
H3 Alpha's 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of
GM's legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm)*; and is similar to the
small-block V-8 found in the
Chevy Silverado, which was named the
2007 Truck of the Year at the
North American International Auto Show.
"For jobs such as towing personal watercraft up a mountain to the lake, the
small-block V-8's torque performs with effortless ease and little impact on fuel mileage," said Christopher Meagher, assistant chief engineer of
small-block V-8 truck engines. "The
5.3L engine greatly broadens the
H3's towing capability."
Effortless highway driving also is an attribute of the
5.3L V-8, which enables 0-60 mph performance of approximately eight seconds.
"All of the powertrain options in the
H3 lineup deliver performance suited to different driving styles and needs," said Meagher. "But when it comes to certain tasks such as towing, there is sometimes no substitute for a
V-8 engine."
An aluminum
cylinder block is used with the
H3 Alpha's engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance. Like all of
GM's small-block V-8 engines, highlights include:
•
Deep-skirt cylinder block with
cross-bolted main caps
• High-flow cylinder heads
•
Electronic throttle control•
58X ignition system
•
E67 32-bit controller
• Polymer-coated pistons with full-floating wrist pins
• Returnless fuel system
• Lightweight valvetrain
• Steel camshaft
•
Low-restriction air intake systemGM's small-block V-8 engines are engineered to meet today's more stringent emissions standards. In fact, the
H3 Alpha's V-8 engine beats the deadline for new, U.S. federal emissions standards by a year. And compared to truck engines of a decade ago, the
small-block engine family is approximately 90 percent cleaner. Cast iron exhaust manifolds matched with four close-coupled catalytic converters help reduce cold-start emissions, which is the largest source of vehicle emissions.
A
Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled
four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the
H3 Alpha's V-8 engine. And, as with all
H3 models, flat-towing is enabled.
New
V-8 drives vehicle-wide enhancements
HUMMER H3 and
GM Performance Division engineers did more than simply shoehorn a
V-8 engine into the
H3's engine compartment. Accommodating the new power plant necessitated the execution of a seemingly endless number of technical details – many of which have been implemented across the entire
H3 lineup.
The
H3's frame was modified to accept the
V-8 engine, and a special oil pan was designed to ensure constant oil pressure when driving on steep grades – a hallmark of
HUMMER's off-road capability. Also, the engine compartment front of dash was modified to accommodate the
V-8, and a
new steering system is used on all
H3 models to deliver better on-center feel and even more improved off-road reliability.
To support the torque output of the
powerful V-8, the
H3 Alpha's front differential case is made of cast iron; other models feature an aluminum case. New engine mounts, higher torsion bar rates to support the increased mass, and specific shock valving also are unique to the
V-8-powered model, ensuring it continues to deliver the unparalleled ride quality – both on- and off-road – that customers expect.
All of the chassis and suspension changes were validated in real-world testing on off-road trails in Moab, Utah, the Rubicon Trail and other challenging off-road venues.
"Our engineers live, breathe and eat off-road driving," said Walsh. "To say they sweat the details is an understatement."
A
HUMMER by any measure
All
H3 models pack
HUMMER's trademark capability into a midsize package. Compared to the
H2, the
H3 is 16.9 inches (429 mm) shorter in length, six inches (152 mm) shorter in height and 6.5 inches (165 mm) narrower. Roughly the same length as a midsize family sedan,
H3 comfortably navigates city traffic and fits nicely in parking garages.
The
H3 lineup also delivers exceptional rock crawling and climbing performance; it was engineered for off-road leadership among midsize
SUVs. The heart of this capability is its electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system and suspension tuning tailored for off-road performance. In addition, the
H3 features standard underbody shielding,
brake traction control, and an optional 4.03:1 transfer case with rear locking differential. Among its off-road credentials, the
H3 can ford 24-inch (610 mm) streams at a 5-mph pace, climb 16-inch (407 mm) vertical steps and rocks, make its way through deep sand and race easily over sandy surfaces.
H3's more maneuverable size provides advantages, such as a 37-foot turning circle that is about the same as a typical compact car, making easy work of parking lot maneuvers and tight turns when off-roading. The 9.1-inch (231 mm) ground clearance and maximum breakover angle of 25 degrees (with 33-inch tires) both make it possible to clear large obstacles in off-road driving. Serious off-road performance is also aided by the maximum approach angle of 39 degrees and maximum departure angle of 37 degrees. These approach and departure angles permit the
H3 to drive into a hole and back out again, without getting hung up in the front or rear.
The
H3 is sold in 34 countries, with production in the United States and South Africa.
*Pending SAE certification.
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photos: autoblog.com
