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Here's a car you're going to love to hate. Holden New Zealand has confirmed it will launch the military inspired Hummer brand in early 2008. Best known for producing the vehicle of choice for invading forces, Hummer has been concentrating more on crossover-type wagons for fashion-conscious buyers of late - albeit still with off-road ability.
The Hummer name, the stars-and-stripes image and the perception of sheer size are certain to enrage some Kiwi civilians. But the single model to be launched here, the H3, is actually the baby of the Hummer line-up.
It's no lightweight at up to 2.3 tonnes for a fully equipped model, but at 4782mm it's actually shorter overall than a Ford Territory. Putting its best economy forward in five-speed manual form, the H3 registers 13.8 litres per 100km in Australian Design Rules fuel consumption tests.
The Hummer will land in three derivatives, all sourced from General Motors' plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The standard H3 is available in manual and automatic versions, and comes with cruise control, parking sensors and an eight-point compass.
The H3 Luxury adds automatic transmission as standard and gets leather upholstery, heated/power seats, an exterior chrome package and high-grade sound system. Finally, the go-anywhere Adventure has all the gear of the Luxury but ups the off-road ante with a fully locking rear differential, off-road suspension package and two-speed transfer case with "super low range".
The underpinnings are fairly low-tech - the tough platform comes from American-market pick-up trucks and the 3.7-litre five-cylinder engine makes a modest 180kW/328Nm.
However, Holden is promising a diesel-engine option for 2009.
Hummer is classified as a "GM Premium Brand" by Holden New Zealand, and will be marketed and distributed through Holden Australia alongside Saab.
- Detours, HoS
