No matter whether H1 customers choose the 4-Door Wagon model or the 4-Door Open Top, they'll rest assured knowing their vehicle can tackle the most difficult terrain. That's because the HUMMER H1 is no SUV afterthought. It wasn't designed to be satisfied with tackling 22 inches of snow or curb-high obstacles. In fact, it wasn't 'designed' as much as it was 'engineered.' More specifically, it was engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the U.S. armed forces who needed a vehicle with power, agility and durability like nothing in existence. Strip away some refinements and creature comforts, and the HUMMER H1 is still the 'HUMVEE' so trusted and respected by the military.

Where does one start in describing H1's off-road capability? How about its 16-inch vertical ground clearance - almost double that of any other 4x4. Let's not overlook H1's dramatic approach and departure angles of 72 degrees and 37.5 degrees, respectively, or the 17-inch aluminum wheels shod with 37-inch tires. You may never encounter the actual need, but there's a degree of comfort in knowing this vehicle can ford a 30-inch deep body of water.

Four-wheel drive is standard and features TorqTrac 4 technology. It automatically reduces tire spin on severe terrain or slippery surfaces by applying the brake to the spinning wheel. This allows the differential to redistribute torque to those wheels with traction. As if that weren't enough, H1 owners may opt for the Off-Road Adventure Package. This package is the ultimate in off-road equipment, and includes a front and rear Eaton ELocker locking differential. Activated instantaneously at the push of a button, the front and rear differentials can be locked for optimum slow-speed capability in climbing over large rocks or up long, steep grades. The Off-road Adventure Package also includes a 12,000-pound winch kit, 17-inch, two-piece aluminum wheels with dual beadlocks, and Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires. Goodyear GSA tires can be substituted for the MT/R tires, if the customer so desires.

Included as standard equipment on every H1 are a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) and a Runflat Tire System. CTIS enables H1 owners to adjust tire pressure on the move and adapt to varying terrain. For example, if additional traction in snow, loose sand or mud is required, the H1's tires can be deflated with the push of a button from inside the vehicle. Another push of the same button when traction conditions have improved re-inflates the tires. H1's Runflat Tire System, meanwhile, enables drivers to continue driving on a deflated tire for up to 20 miles at 30 mph - ideal when the nearest service station is not right around the corner.

Further aiding peace of mind while off road are H1's low center of gravity, long wheelbase (130 inches) and nearly 72-inch track. The result is a vehicle that is extremely stable - on- and off-road.

While H1 is rightly considered the ultimate sport utility vehicle, it's also adept at overcoming the obstacles commonly found in the asphalt jungle.

Interior creature comforts include an instrument panel specifically designed to place major controls and switches within easy reach of the driver. Audiophiles will enjoy the standard Monsoon audio system with an integral six-disc CD changer. Other H1 features designed to enhance convenience, comfort and safety include a heated windshield, tire pressure gauge (part of CTIS), driver's express-down window, heated power exterior mirrors and remote keyless entry.

The HUMMER H1 is so well-equipped that very few other options are available. In addition to the Off-road Adventure Package, leather seats with heating elements for the driver and front passenger are among them.

A host of dealer-installed accessories are also available, enabling H1 owners to customize their vehicle to best meet their specific needs.

HUMMER H1 is powered by a retuned 6.5L, turbo-diesel V-8 engine that for 2004 delivers 205 horsepower (152 kw) at 3400 rpm and an impressive 440 lb.-ft. (596 Nm) of torque at 1800 rpm. That's 10 horsepower (7 kw) and 10 lb.-ft. (14 Nm) of torque more than the 2003 powerplant. Yet enhanced performance is only part of the engine's story. The retuning also enables the 6500 to meet the more stringent emission requirements starting in 2004. It's mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 4L80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. Over time, this transmission monitors the customer's driving technique and adjusts for driving style. The New Venture Gear Model 242 transfer case enables the driver to customize the drivetrain configurations to match virtually any terrain.

H1 has a four-wheel fully independent suspension system and variable-rate heavy-duty coil springs. The front suspension incorporates a large stabilizer bar to improve handling and reduce sway when cornering. The truck's four-channel ABS four-wheel power disc brakes are mounted inboard as a component of the axle assembly, making them less vulnerable to damage than conventional wheel-mounted components.

'There's still nothing else on the road today with the panache of the H1,' said DiGiovanni. 'No other SUV can match its off-road capability and no other SUV - and very few vehicles in general - have the attention-grabbing styling of the H1. It remains the foundation upon which to build the HUMMER future.'

by GM

by Hummer

2004 HUMMER H1: ONE OF A KIND

'Unique.' 'The original.' 'The world's premier off-road vehicle.' There are many ways to describe the HUMMER H1. Also fitting is 'cornerstone,' since it's the foundation upon which the HUMMER sales growth is built.

'The H1 is what started it all for HUMMER,' said Michael C. DiGiovanni, HUMMER general manager. 'It's the vehicle that drew the interest of adventurous consumers across the nation, as well as the interest of GM. It offers superior off-road capabilities rugged enough for the Baja and powerful highway performance.'

Rugged enough for Baja

Further aiding peace of mind while off road are H1's low center of gravity, long wheelbase (130 inches) and nearly 72-inch track. The result is a vehicle that is extremely stable - on- and off-road.

Civilized enough for everyday commute

While H1 is rightly considered the ultimate sport utility vehicle, it's also adept at overcoming the obstacles commonly found in the asphalt jungle.

A host of dealer-installed accessories are also available, enabling H1 owners to customize their vehicle to best meet their specific needs.

More power and plenty of poise

by Hummer

A brand of off-road vehicles that were sold by General Motors, the name Hummer evokes an image of great proportions, a vehicle that can withstand almost anything. Military in appearance, the Hummer line is recognizable at first sight. Originally, Hummers were built by AM General Corporation which was previously AMC Jeep's General Products division. Its assembly plant was located in Mishawaka, Indiana. These vehicles were created under a contract for the U.S. armed forces. The Humvee was the first model, built in a variety of military-based equipment and versions. These versions included troop carriers, radar, and gun turrets. After the U.S. military received their quota, some of these excess models received modifications to facilitate a directional microwave crowd control beam.

Even as far back in the late 1980s, AM General had planned to sell a civilian version, but it wasn't until 1990 when two matching white Hum-Vees were driven from London to Beijing over the uneven road of Central Soviet Union. Since they were built to drive on off-road terrain, the Hummer made the trip with ease. The highlights of this trip were broadcasted on ESPN in the U.S. This was great publicity, but not nearly as stupendous as the eventual publicity for its service in Operation: Desert Storm the following year.

Based on the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (or Humvee) under the brand name 'Hummer', the H1 is a civilian off-road car that was created by AM General. Introduced in 1992 the H1 continued on until 2006 and was the beginning of what became the Hummer line. A very limited production vehicle, the H1 Alpha was produced in the final model year of 2006. The H1 Alpha featured the most powerful engine and the best fuel mileage of the H1 line.

The H1 rose to fame when it became the 'ride of choice' among Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes who considered it chic to be piloting the 'ultimate ruff-and-tuff image machine'. Pretty good turnout for a vehicle originally designed strictly for military use. The massive four-wheel-drive utility vehicle boasted 16 inches of ground clearance as well as a 'super-aggressive approach and departure angles'. The Humvee could easily climb over a 22-inch high obstacle, wade through up to 30 inches of water, and competently handle a 60 percent grade. This high clearance was made possibly by tucking driveline components inside a channel in the central space between the right and left seats. Most Hummer H1s are equipped with a Central Tire Inflation System, which enables the driver to increase or decrease the tire air pressure at will – because lower tire pressures are more suited for off-road, and higher tire pressure is desirable on-road.

The Hummer H1 has Arnold Schwarzenegger for one to thank for its birth in the civilian market. The popularity of photos from Operation Desert Storm was also a large factor in its popularity, along with the enthusiastic campaign from Schwarzenegger who has personally owned several variants of Hummers. 2006 was the final year for the Hummer H1, and production ended in June of 2006 due to a new emission law for diesel engine vehicles that went into effect the following year.

The H1 had three common variants, a four-door hardtop pickup truck, a Wagon body version, and a convertible-like soft top. Lesser-known variants include a two-door pickup truck and a four-door slantback. The final ones available in the mass market were the convertible/soft top and the station wagon variants. Both the two-door and four-door pickup versions were only available in fleet livery.

To achieve maximum mobility in comparison to other SUVs, both passenger and highway comfort were sacrificed in the Hummer H1. The H1 shares a similarly cut simple grille with the original Jeep, and the H1 is also very stable, thanks to its wide stance. Very unique features were found on the H1, an example of this was the use of inboard brakes. Other unusual features included portal gears which allowed the drivetrain's half shafts to be up high for greater clearance. The radiator in the H1 was up high, sloping back over the engine on a forward-hinged hood. Enabling fording waist-level water, the air intake was mounted high. Instead of regular run-flat tires, the H1 received magnesium-aluminum alloy or rubber inserts are an optional feature for runflat ability. The Military version is the only model that can receive chemical warfare resistant paint.

Five different engines types and three automatic transmission types can be found in Hummer H1's with the most common combinations being 6.2 L GM Diesel V8/GM TH400/3L80 3-speed, 6.5 L GM Diesel V8/GM 4L80-E 4-speed, 5.7 L Vortec 5700 gasoline V8 TBI/GM 4L80-E 4-speed, 6.5 L turbo GM Diesel V8/GM 4L80-E 4-speed, and the 6.6 L turbo Duramax LLY V8 turbo Diesel/Allison 1000 5-speed.

The H1 shares many common driveline parts with its HMMWV sibling, which included brakes, axles, frame, and major body panels all identical between the HMMWV and the Hummer H1. But that's not much of a surprise since all Hummer H1s and HMMWVs come off the same assembly line before civilian H1s received paint and finish in a separate building across the parking lot.

A privately-owned Hum-Vee was adapted into the first Snow-Vee which included the addition of caterpillar tracks, a new engine, and a new rear compartment. This vehicle was specifically made for use in and just below the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic.

For 2006, Hummer H1 unveiled the 'Alpha' which was an extensively re-engineered H1 that was equipped with GM's Duramax Diesel and 5-speed Allison transmission. Since the earlier version of the H1 with the 6.5L 'Optimizer' turbo-diesel engine fell under such negative feedback from the customers, AM General CEO Jim Armour in 2002 took the idea of re-powering the H1 to Bob Lutz and GM Luxury Vehicle committee. GM-approved of the use of their Duramax/Allison powertrain for the H1. This allowed AM General to give the truck a good update in terms of torque, power, refinement, and the ability to meet '04 heavy duty EPA emissions requirements.

Production launch was scheduled to be the fall of 2004 and the engineering team chose the engine variant out of the GMT560 truck because it packaged better into the H1 engine

In 1992 the original Hummer was sold for $40,500 for the basic open-top, while a fully loaded wagon with all options was $54,700. By 2006 the suggested retail price had jumped to $129,399 for the open-top, the wagon for $140,796, and the H1 Alpha priced at $150,975.

GM sold its Hummer brand to the Chinese company Tengzhong as part of its bankruptcy settlement on June 2, 2009.

by Jessican Donaldson