Keeping in line with other GM model lines, Hummer will get its own "high-performance" badge. Called Alpha, the first vehicle to get this extra muscle will be the most muscular model in the Hummer line, the military based H1. Basically, Hummer will be swapping out the well-worn 6.5-liter Detroit Diesel they've had sitting under the hood since the commercial variant H1 came out in 1992. In its place will be the Duramax 6600 V-8 turbodiesel, with 300 horsepower (almost 50-percent more than the 6.5L TD) and 520 lb-ft of torque (almost 20-percent more pulling force than before). All new civilian H1s sold will be designated 2006 H1 Alpha models, coming in both the open-top pickup or hardtop wagon configurations, and will include a heavier-duty Allison 1000 transmission, bigger brakes (from 10.7 to 12 inches), stronger half-shafts, a bigger steering gear, and helically-cut hub gear sets to reduce noise, improve strength, and ease that annoying rocking motion at stops. In addition, the stronger transmission will have a lower first gear, offer an extra and higher overdrive (which means better fuel economy), and will have a better crawl ratio when in low range, increasing the H1 Alpha's slow-speed rock crawling ability by 22 percent. Likewise, the added strength improves GCWR (gross combined weight rating) by 2,000 pounds, most of which results in an increased towing capacity. In order to fit the new engine and transmission, two-inch body mounts were necessary for clearance. Don't look for any discount sales on the H1 Alpha. They will still be priced well above $100,000 when they get to showrooms in April 2005.
