KEY POINTS:
The offspring of the American Humvee off-roader that cut its teeth with Allied forces in the first Iraq war in the early 1990s will officially go on sale in New Zealand next year.
The Hummer H3 is the first factory-built, right-hand-drive example of the breed and the first to go global. The original military model Humvee and its civilian successor, the Hummer H2, were built only as left-hookers. Any right-hand-drive examples were converted post-production.
The H3 is built by General Motors at its plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, which produces left and right-hand drive models for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
It will be available through Holden dealers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. The line-up comprises three variants: H3, H3 Adventure and H3 Luxury, all of which are expected to be available in March. The entry-level H3 starts at $61,990, the Adventure at $68,990 and the Luxury at $70,990.
Holden New Zealand managing director Peter Keley said Hummer had developed a passionate following in New Zealand.
He says the H3 extends that appeal by making the brand accessible to a broad range of potential owners.
"Used Hummer H2s have been popular in this country and we have seen the brand carve out a strong niche with little support.
"So we believe the mid-size H3 is an ideal vehicle to launch the brand into New Zealand.
"Comparable in size to other mid-size SUVs, H3 is still true to the brand's extreme heritage, but is more economical and easier to drive in the city than the original H1 and H2.
"The belief is that the proportions and characteristics of H3 mean it is able to achieve the perfect balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability."
The H3 is powered by a 3.7-litre in-line five-cylinder engine developing 180kW at 5600rpm and peak torque of 328Nm at 4600rpm and driving all four wheels through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is a member of GM's Vortec family of light truck units. A diesel engine offering more torque lower in the rev range will be available later next year.
Holden says the five-speed manual H3's official town-and-around fuel consumption on regular unleaded petrol is 13.8 litres/100km or 20mpg.
Depending on specification, H3 has a kerb weight of between 2178kg for the manual H3 and 2268kg for the automatic Adventure, which is also in line with other vehicles in its segment.
In addition to the standard safety features, H3 offers cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, electro-chromatic rearview mirror with eight-point compass, power windows, fog lights and halogen headlamps, alloy wheels, remote entry with panic alarm, single in-dash CD, cloth seats and 60/40 split rear seats.
H3 Luxury gains automatic transmission as standard, leather interior, electric heated front seats with power adjustment, an exterior chrome package including door handles, roof cross bars and mirror caps, six-disc in-dash CD changer, and glass sunroof.
H3 Adventure is available in manual and automatic. It includes the all features of the H3 Luxury (except sunroof) and takes the H3's off-road capability to the next level, adding a fully locking electronic rear differential, off-road suspension package and a two-speed transfer case with a super low range ratio.
"Make no mistake, the H3 has the off-road capability to live up to the Hummer name," Keley said.
