HUMMER announced the 2008 H2, with a completely redesigned, more refined interior that combines luxury with HUMMER's legendary ruggedness; enhanced safety features and a more powerful engine that is coupled with a new, six-speed automatic transmission. The new powertrain combination improves efficiency when compared with previous models.
"The 2008 HUMMER H2 represents a major step in the evolution of this iconic vehicle," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "From performance to comfort to safety and overall refinement, the new H2 lineup delivers more of what customers expect from HUMMER; they will be especially impressed with the new, more refined interior."
HUMMER revealed the 2008 H2 at the New York Auto Show. The powertrain, interior and exterior changes also are included on the H2 SUT. The '08 H2 and H2 SUT go on sale later this year.
The new powertrain combination consists of a 6.2L all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine, rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW)* - an increase of about 20 percent over the previous engine - and a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Performance-optimizing engine technologies, such as variable valve timing, and the six-speed's wide gear ratios, including a "tall" overdrive gear, enable the improved performance and efficiency over previous models.
"This is one of those rare instances where enhanced performance is matched with improved efficiency," said Walsh. "More power in the H2 helps make highway maneuvers, such as entering from a freeway on-ramp, feel effortless while simultaneously bolstering towing capability."
All-new, luxury-appointed interior
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 HUMMER'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 HUMMER family."
Seats in the H2 have a new, chiseled appearance and offer improved comfort. In fact, HUMMER 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 with 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.