H3 In The International Market
In 2007 GM South Africa launched their first Hummer production facility in Port Elizabeth, this move introduced the Hummer brand to the South African market and also somewhat lightened the load of the Shreveport factory in Louisiana.Most of the South African made Hummer H3's were imported to England because of the right hand drive factor. The plant manufactured only the Hummer H3, and builds for the South African market as well as the markets of Asia and Europe. This plant also manufactured a right hand drive version for the Australian market between 2007 and 2009. Throughout Australia, Hummer was distributed by GM Holden dealerships.
Powertrains
The H3 was launched with a 3.5 liter straight-5 cylinder L52 engine that produced 220 hp (160 kW) and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) of torque and was mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission. In 2007 this engine was replaced by 3.7 liter LLR that produced 242 hp (180 kW) and 242 ft·lbf (328 N·m) of torque, figures that were revised in 2009 to 239 hp (178 kW) and 241 ft·lbf (327 N·m). Under revised EPA testing standards when equipped with either transmission this straight-5 engine achieves 14 mpg-US (17 l/100 km) in the city and 18 mpg-US (13 l/100 km) on the highway with a combined average of 15 mpg-US (16 l/100 km). Available solely with the automatic transmission, a 5.3 liter LH8 V8 producing 300 hp (220 kW) and 320 ft·lbf (430 N·m) of torque was added in 2008 for the Alpha model of the H3 and returns slightly lower fuel economy estimated at 13 mpg-US (18 l/100 km) in the city, 16 mpg-US (15 l/100 km) on the highway, with a combined average of 14 mpg-US (17 l/100 km).
The H3 and H3T are being discontinued after the 2010 model year as GM is winding down the entire Hummer brand. Their cousins, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, are reportedly being redesigned for the 2012 model year.
Plug-in Hybrid
An April 2009 Engadget column reported that Raser Technologies and FEV had built a prototype plug-in hybrid H3 that could achieve 100 MPG given enough mains power. This vehicle, known later as the Electric Hummer H3, was then showcased by California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at a press conference at the State Capitol in Sacramento as part of a campaign to promote greener vehicles.
Capabilities
The H3 features a two-speed, electronically controlled full-time four-wheel drive system that is suitable for both on-road and off-road driving in all conditions, with electronic locking front and rear differentials optionally available. Like its larger sibling the Hummer H2, the H3 can ford 24 inches (610 mm) of water (tested in depths up to 31 in/790 mm) at a speed of 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h) and 16 inches (410 mm) of water at a speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). Standard ground clearance is measured at 9.7 inches (250 mm) while the approach, departure, and breakover angles are measured at 37.4°, 34.7°, and 22.1° respectively, allowing the H3 to scale a 16-inch (410 mm) vertical wall and negotiate grades of 60% and side slopes of 40%. Though fore and aft recovery hooks are standard, a trailer hitch and wiring harness are optional.
Safety
Electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, brake-controlled traction control, LATCH child-seat anchors, and tire-pressure monitoring are all standard features on the H3. Side-curtain airbags were optional until 2008 when they were made standard across. The H3 is rated Acceptable, the second highest rating, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in both frontal offset and side-impact crashes (with side airbags) and Poor, the lowest rating, for rear-crash protection/head restraints.
