Hummer H3 Alpha
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 H3 X 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.
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 system
GM’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.
2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
Вот это уже гораздо лучше, чем гипертрофированный кубик Н2. Третью модель Хаммера уже можно назвать нормальным джипом с собственным, ни на что не похожим дизайном. И самое приятное то, что он уже не рэперский, а вполне «взрослый» и солидный, без той брутальности, переходящей в крайнюю степень гламура, которая так раздражала в Н2. Только вот салон у него, как у младшей модели, похуже все-таки.
Фото салона, я так понимаю, взяты из пикапа. Не знаю конечно, но мне кажется, что места как-то маловато, что спереди, что сзади для столь огромного автомобиля. Двигатель как всегда огромен, но при этом, не максимально форсирован. Из-за этого, автомобиль получился обжорливым, но при этом, не оправдывающим свою прожорливость. В дизайне-то да, появились нотки «зрелости», но салон, как и в H2? слишком тесен.
Самый лучший и последний из Хаммеров — его производство свернули после неудачной попытки продать его, как в последнее время бывает, китайцам, которые, по всей видимости, насытили свой рынок и перестали покупать все подряд. Хотя, лучше бы они поднимали подобных Хаммеру производителей, чем всяких мелких и малоизвестных компаний.
По другим данным: мощность — 305 л.с./ 5200, максимальный момент — 434 Нм/ 4000. За возможность развивать максимальную скорость в 180 км/час, которую мог обеспечить 5,3-литровый V8, сменивший рядную «пятерку», пришлось пожертвовать почти центнером снаряженной массы, а покрышки 285/75 R16 пришлось заменить на более «легковые» 265/75 R16. «Хаммер» стал все меньше «Хаммером» и все больше просто большим джипом. Впрочем, преодолеваемый двухфутовый брод и 16-дюймовая стенка по прежнему заставляла относиться к нему с уважением. Примерно, как к нашему «Уазику», или «Ниве». :))
16-клапанная «восьмерка» GM Vortec 5300 LH8 Gen.IV ( 96,0 х 92,0 мм; 5327 см3; 9,9; 305 л.с./5200 и 434 Нм/4000; красная зона — 6000). Снаряженная масса 2206/2282 кг, полная — 2728 кг. 198 км/час при 5350 оборотов, 8,6 секунды до сотни, 402 метра за 16,0 секунды ( 137,4 км/час). Где-то так.
После огромного h2 который нравился далеко не всем. Создатели hummer приняли усилия и сделали обычный джип ни как не выделяющийся среди других авто,не такой как его старший брат h2. Это был отличный шанс повысить продажи автомобилей ведь теперь проблем с большим расходом топлива и весом автомобиля стало меньше. Hummer не пользовался большой популярностью и ожидаемого спроса на этот автомобиль не было. И вскоре компания GM прекратила производство Hummer.