Types of Hummers

• Hummers originally began as military vehicles. Hummer H1 Offroad_03 image by crossgolfing from Fotolia.com

  Few vehicles are as recognizable or iconic as the Hummer. The 21st century Hummer had its start in 1979, when AM General began work on the HMMWV, better known as the HumVee, for the US Army. In 1983, it gained a 1.3 billion dollar contract to make five different models, totaling 55,000 HumVees. The first military models rolled-off the lines in January of 1985 and have been used in both Gulf Wars, as well as other military operations. The first civilian models, called Hummers, appeared in 1992. Production of Hummers stopped in early 2010.

H1

• The massive H1 model appeared in 1985, originally for military use as the HumVee, and became famous during the first Gulf War. The makers introduced the first civilian model in 1992 and it became popular when celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger began driving them. Designed for military use, the four-wheel drive Hummer had 16 inches of ground clearance, could wade through 30 inches of water, climb over 22-inch obstacles and up 60-degree grades.

  Being 3 feet wider than most compact cars made parking and city driving difficult. Its 7,000 lbs. called for a huge, 6.2 or 6.5 liter, turbo-diesel engine which could only take the Hummer from 0 to 60 mph in over 16 seconds. Needless to say, fuel costs were high and fuel economy was low. 2005 was the last year of H1 production but 2006 saw the H1 Alpha, which lasted one year and went for around $100,000. Despite its size, the H1 did not offer much leg or cargo room

H2

• AM General delivered a more civilian-friendly Hummer in 2003, the H2. It was more comfortable, with plusher seats, more leg room and even a third row bench. It added a navigation system and more safety features such as air bags and anti-lock brakes. The H2 was still huge, which not only made city-driving and parking difficult but also filling-up expensive. The H2 came with a 6 liter, six-speed automatic, V8 engine with 316 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. This engine, plus 10-inches of ground clearance, a 42-degree approach and 38-degree departure angle made it a formidable off-road SUV. The H2 also had a pick-up model that could seat 4. The H2 ceased production in 2010.

H3

• General Motors introduced the H3 2006 as more of an everyday Hummer. It had less power and a lower sticker price than other models. At first, it came standard with a 3.5, V8 that only put out 220 horsepower, was later replaced by a 3.7 liter V8 with 242 horses and finally by the Alpha model's 5.7 liter V8 with 300 horses, able to do 0 to 60 in 8.8 seconds. With nine inches of ground clearance and the optional off-road suspension package, the H3 made for a worthy off-road SUV. H3 models had anti-lock braking, traction control and airbags. GM stopped production in 2010.