Want to show people how brazen you can be with your personal finances? How about Hummer’s H3 in V8 trim?
Parent company GM may be weeks from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US, and the future of the local production facility at Struandale in Port Elizabeth is uncertain, yet despite all this, GMSA is now offering V8 versions for local customers.
Old-school, understressed 16v V8 power
Powering the range-topping H3 is an V8 engine of 5.3l capacity.
It’s a blend of modern electronic fuel and throttle management and old-school American pushrod valve-actuation, and produces 224kW at 5 200r/min and a peak rotational force of 434Nm at 4 000r/min - the latter figure quite peaky for off-road enthusiasts used to turbodiesel engines.
In order to accommodate the large capacity V8 (which dwarfs the standard 3.7l in-line five cylinder H3 engine) modifications were made to the front section of the H3’s frame and engine compartment.
A new oil pan ensures constant oil pressure to lubricate the big V8, especially when traversing extremely undulating terrain, whilst a cast-iron front differential supplants the standard H3 aluminium item, in the interest of better durability considering increased rotational force load.
Transferring the H3’s newfangled V8 performance to the road is GM’s hydra-matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission, which GM alleges is good for 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
Boasting 44kW more power and 104Nm of additional torque compared to the H3 3.7, the V8 model sports 861kg more towing capacity.
Either off road certified or urban upstart
Hummer H3 V8 will be available in both Luxury and Adventure trim, the obvious difference between these being the Adventure model’s extreme low range gearing of 4.03:1 compared with the Luxury’s 2.64:1 crawling ratio.
Adventure trim vehicles feature fully locking front and rear differentials, putting them on par with Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70 and Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon in the extreme traction stakes.
It might only have 219mm of ground clearance, yet generous axle-articulation ensures Hummer H3 remains a redoubtable off-road vehicle.
Urban pseudo-pimps who opt for the softer, Luxury spec, H3 V8 will find a standard reversing camera to save embarrassment in the mall parking lot, and chrome wheels.
Pricing:
H3 V8 Luxury R531 887
H3 V8 Adventure R541 886
Parent company GM may be weeks from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US, and the future of the local production facility at Struandale in Port Elizabeth is uncertain, yet despite all this, GMSA is now offering V8 versions for local customers.
Old-school, understressed 16v V8 power
Powering the range-topping H3 is an V8 engine of 5.3l capacity.
It’s a blend of modern electronic fuel and throttle management and old-school American pushrod valve-actuation, and produces 224kW at 5 200r/min and a peak rotational force of 434Nm at 4 000r/min - the latter figure quite peaky for off-road enthusiasts used to turbodiesel engines.
In order to accommodate the large capacity V8 (which dwarfs the standard 3.7l in-line five cylinder H3 engine) modifications were made to the front section of the H3’s frame and engine compartment.
A new oil pan ensures constant oil pressure to lubricate the big V8, especially when traversing extremely undulating terrain, whilst a cast-iron front differential supplants the standard H3 aluminium item, in the interest of better durability considering increased rotational force load.
Transferring the H3’s newfangled V8 performance to the road is GM’s hydra-matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission, which GM alleges is good for 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
Boasting 44kW more power and 104Nm of additional torque compared to the H3 3.7, the V8 model sports 861kg more towing capacity.
Either off road certified or urban upstart
Hummer H3 V8 will be available in both Luxury and Adventure trim, the obvious difference between these being the Adventure model’s extreme low range gearing of 4.03:1 compared with the Luxury’s 2.64:1 crawling ratio.
Adventure trim vehicles feature fully locking front and rear differentials, putting them on par with Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70 and Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon in the extreme traction stakes.
It might only have 219mm of ground clearance, yet generous axle-articulation ensures Hummer H3 remains a redoubtable off-road vehicle.
Urban pseudo-pimps who opt for the softer, Luxury spec, H3 V8 will find a standard reversing camera to save embarrassment in the mall parking lot, and chrome wheels.
Pricing:
H3 V8 Luxury R531 887
H3 V8 Adventure R541 886