2008 Hummer H2 news, pictures, and information

2008 HUMMER H2 DELIVERS GREATER CAPABILITY AND COMFORT, RETAINS ICONIC DESIGN

While drivers will feel the '08 H2's improved performance on the road, they'll appreciate it more while experiencing it in the all-new interior. It features a completely redesigned instrument panel, new seats – including a full third-row seat for two passengers– new door trim panels, new controls, new rear-seat heating/air conditioning system, new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system and a new family of premium radios.

'The new interior delivers a refined, premium feel while maintaining HÚMMER's trademark ruggedness,' said Dennis Burke, interior designer. 'Everything from the flushness of the controls to the feel of the materials exudes craftsmanship in the H2's new interior, while the fine details, like leather seat piping, create a consistent, premium interior design style across the entire HÚMMER family.'

Seats in the H2 have a new, chiseled appearance and offer improved comfort. In fact, HÚMMER engineers focused on every detail to improve interior comfort. For example, the front seat safety belts are now mounted to the vehicle's B-pillars rather than to the seats themselves. This change enabled engineers uncompromised comfort tuning for the seats. Front seat safety belt pretensioners are new, too, and are standard.

Complementing the new seats are new door trim panels and an all-new instrument panel and six-gauge instrument cluster that features a more refined appearance and better tolerances. In fact, the new interior is designed wîth interior gap tolerances of one millimeter or less. Soft-touch materials and new, more tactile controls enhance the feeling of craftsmanship. A new center stack houses the climate controls and a new family of GM radios – including a standard premium Bose audio system and an available surround sound system. The instrument panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout the vehicle – particularly for the second- and third-row seats.

Numerous available comfort and convenience features are either new or carried over into the '08 H2, such as a new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, a rear-view camera system and heated windshield washer fluid. OnStar and XM Satellite Radio are standard.

The '08 H2 also offers a remote starting system that enables the vehicle's interior to be heated or cooled prior to driving.

Driving experience

The heart of the '08 H2 is a new, 6.2L V-8 engine that uses variable valve timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. It is rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW)* and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (574 Nm)*. The engine also features lightweight materials, including an aluminum cylinder block, which helps reduce the vehicle's overall mass.

The 6.2L V-8's technologically advanced features also help it meet new federal emissions standards a year before mandatory implementation.

A new six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmission backs the 6.2L engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio – including two overdrive gears – that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a 'tap up/tap down' capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts wîth a button on the column shifter.

The new powertrain combination helps the 2008 H2 and H2 SÚT deliver an additional 1,500 pounds (680 kg) in towing capacity – an increase from 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg) to 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg). A host of additional powertrain revisions also contributes to the H2's improved performance and efficiency, including:

Larger-capacity cooling system complements larger, more powerful engine
Electric engine cooling fans reduce 'drag' on engine, enabling more horsepower
Regulated voltage control maximizes fuel economy by charging electrical components only when necessary
New LAN electrical architecture is more efficient and uses less electrical energy
Standard 3.73 rear axle ratio
Off-road acumen also was enhanced wîth the new powertrain system. The 6L80 transmission's tap up/tap down feature provides more control on grades and it offers automatic grade braking. It also improves the off-road crawl ratio to approximately 39:1 – an improvement of about 20 percent.

The transfer case is improved in the '08 H2; it is stronger wîth improved performance. A new traction control system also is standard, which helps ensure sure-footed traction in most driving conditions.

Driving performance off the road or on is enhanced by a revised §teering gear that has a quicker ratio and improved on-center returnability. The driving experience also is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, tuned air intake and exhaust systems.

Safety standard

Complementing the H2 lineup's performance and comfort changes are enhancements to the safety system. They include several new standard features:

Roof rail head curtain side air bags for first-, second- and third-row passengers wîth rollover sensing system
Safety belt pretensioners (first-row seats)
Electronic stability control system wîth rollover mitigation technology
New traction control system
Tire pressure monitoring system
Also new is a panic brake assist feature – the first application for a full-size GM truck or SÚV – which detects emergency braking situations and maintains maximum brake pressure to help stop the vehicle more quickly and wîth more control. It is a standard feature on all H2 models. Also, the standard OnStar system now offers the optional Turn-By-Turn navigation system. Additional optional features that contribute to a safer driving experience include HÚMMER's Rear Vision System – a rearview camera system – and a navigation system.

Exterior enhancements

All 2008 H2 models are distinguished from previous models wîth functional changes that maintain HÚMMER's instantly recognizable design identify. The iconic, seven-slot grille features larger openings and the lower grille also is enlarged, accommodating the cooling needs of the more powerful 6.2L V-8 engines. The lower bumpers on '08 models are painted silver (previous models had black lower bumpers).

The soul of a HÚMMER

	Vital Stats
Engine : 6.2 L., 8-cylinder Power: 393 hp Torque: 415 ft-lbs
6-speed Automatic

While the ‘08 H2 is offered wîth a new powertrain and interior, its foundation remains the same: a fully welded ladder-type frame that features a modular, three-piece design incorporating a number of hydroformed components. This design delivers outstanding strength, stiffness and dimensional accuracy.

The H2 has short overhangs for radical approach and departure angles, and exceptional ground clearance for minimal impact on trails. Standard 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front suspension and a five-link rear suspension provide superior handling, carrying and towing capability. The solid rear axle ensures durable sure-footedness, particularly in tight, off-road situations. Also standard is underbody protection and rocker protection. These elements help the H2 deliver on HÚMMER's mantra of capability, including traveling through streams 24 inches (508 mm) deep, climbing 16-inch (406-mm) steps and rocks and paddling through deep sand or snow.

A new, four-channel anti-lock braking/traction control system (ABS/TCS) provides optimum control on slippery surfaces. In addition, the ABS can detect and adjust its braking capabilities to rough off-road surfaces like gravel and potholes. The TCS also includes the ability to gain traction through a single wheel, if necessary, and more wheel slip in a second traction control mode for sand and desert racing conditions.

A self-leveling rear air spring suspension system is available for extreme off-road and towing requirements.

H2 SÚT – maximum utility and fun