News and Reviews
Hummer H3  
"...arguably better than the original civilian whopper.." - Car and Driver Magazine 2006
2006 H3 Review  
"...bad-ass toys for more than just bad-ass boys" - Autosite Reviews - 2006
First Drive of the H3  
"...unparalleled off-road capability in a manageable package..."
General Motors’ distinctive Hummer H3 has won the Off-Road category in Popular Mechanics’ magazine's debut Automotive Excellence awards. The award recognised outstanding innovation, technology, quality, design and performance in eight categories: how much fun it was to drive, off-road capabilities, functionality, safety, design, energy efficiency, luxury and performance.
IT ALL BEGAN WITH THE H1, ARGUABLY THE MOST OFF-ROAD CAPABLE VEHICLE KNOWN TO MAN. A hard-core vehicle that afforded you the option to go almost anywhere and do almost anything. And do it all without even breathing hard. Then came the H2. A more civilized HUMMER with a broader appeal. An SUV that struck a perfect balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. Now, with our latest offering, the all-new mid-size H3, comes a chance for even more people to experience the feeling of exhilaration and transformation that comes only when you get behind the wheel of a HUMMER. INTRODUCING THE NEXT BIG THING: A SMALLER HUMMER. THE ALL-NEW MID-SIZE 2006 H3.
 
 
 
 
When you see the new H3, You'll immediately notice two things: A design that pays homage to its predecessors and a distinctly smaller size. Smaller by Hummer standards, that is.
SMALLER IN SIZE. NOT IN HEART. Make no mistake: the H3 may be smaller, but it abounds in the indomitable spirit HUMMER made famous. True to its heritage, the H3 is fully off-road capable. It has been tested and re-tested on severe off-road challenges and triumphed every time. Its smaller size makes it more nimble in certain circumstances, more efficient and easier to drive in the city than any HUMMER before it. In fact, it just might be the ultimate on/off-road vehicle on the market. BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP. With the H3, our engineers went back to the drawing board armed only with coffee and a vision to build the most accessible HUMMER yet. But this time, the task was threefold. The H3 had to prove itself off-road. It had to be a top-notch performer in urban landscapes. And it had to be fun to drive. Complex, but not impossible. To meet such daunting goals, the design team had to take a fresh approach while still making sure that everything on the H3 was there for a reason. Its smaller size improves manoeuvrability and ground clearance in certain offroad conditions. Its tight turning radius makes the H3 fiercely functional in the city. Large, wide tires enhance traction and stability on and off road. Its best-in-segment underbody protection provides strong off-road defense. And its standard Vortec 3500 engine is a potent combination of power and fuel efficiency. The result? A beautifully functional vehicle that is clearly a product of some of the most passionate and dedicated designers and engineers in the world.
 
 
IF THE “U” STANDS FOR UNCLASSIFIABLE, THEN SURE. Technically speaking, although the H3 lives in the SUV world, calling it an SUV is like calling a fighter jet an airplane. In terms of off-road capability, the H3 stands head and shoulders above everything else in its class. To elaborate on such a bold statement, consider that the H3 is a full-time 4WD vehicle with a standard two-speed transfer case. What this means is that the powertrain-integrated, two-speed, electronically controlled, full-time 4WD system enables you to go places even the H3’s most seasoned competitors couldn’t tackle. In addition, the H3 is the only vehicle in its segment that can climb a 406 mm (16 in.) vertical wall, scale a 60% grade, traverse a 40% side slope and operate in up to 610 mm (24 in.) of water, all while fully loaded. Which means the H3 gives you more versatility than any other SUV in the Mid-size Utility category. Mountains, forests, deserts, glacial moraines – if you can name it, the H3 makes it moreaccessible to you. In short, only one name fits on the front of the H3. HUMMER.
 
Even at a glance you know at once that the H3 is a Hummer. The signature 7-slot louvred grille, round headlights, large tires, low glass-to-steel ratio, the near vertical lines of the read and sides of the vehicle, the rectangular windows and the embossed skid plate are all classic Hummer cues.
 
DRIVER AREA. Get behind the wheel of the H3 and you’ll instantly feel like it was custom designed for you. Many of the cockpit controls and features are influenced by its bigger sibling, the H2. From the rotary control switches to the individual gauge bezels to the soft touch caps on the control switches, you’ll notice everything is logical, organized, easy to use and accessible. In addition, you’ll find a host of subtler features that enhance your interior experience. Like the five standard assist handles that make entry easier and offer support on severe off-road terrain. The unique “Nissha” finish on the console adds to the sophisticated feel. Other upscale touches, such as chrome door handles and available perforated leather trim on the steering wheel and transmission shifter, also contribute to a premium atmosphere. On the whole, the interior workmanship, like that of the exterior, oozes richness, class and sophistication, putting the interior of the H3 in the same league as more expensive SUVs. Good luck getting out of this one.
 
 
SEATING. The H3 features supportive seating that comfortably accommodates five adults and comes in cloth or available leather seating surfaces. The cloth interior is available in Ebony with Pewter seat inserts, Ebony with Shadow Green seat inserts or Ebony with Light Cashmere seat inserts. The leather seating surfaces come in Ebony with Pewter piping, Light Cashmere with Ebony piping or Ebony with Morocco seat inserts and piping. All seating is finished with double stitched French seams that further accentuate the premium look. The front and back row seats also come with dual density foam and soft bolsters to provide additional comfort and support during off-road manoeuvres. In addition, the 60/40 divided rear seatbacks can be folded down to create 1576 litres (55.7 cubic feet) of cargo space. For an increased feeling of freedom, the H3 offers a large sunroof. Measuring 917 mm by 625 mm (36.1 in. x 24.6 in.), this sunroof can be opened, closed or set to vent (tilt) position with a single control. And with the “express open” and “express close” feature, you can go from a fully opened to a fully closed position, and vice versa, in a few seconds. The “express close” feature includes built-in “anti-pinch” safety protection that can detect even the slightest amount of resistance and immediately stop the sunroof from closing, to help prevent damage or injury. INFOTAINMENT. The H3 comes with a choice of three audio systems, each integrated with the Generation 6 OnStar System that comes standard on all H3s. Choose the one that’s right for you. 1. An electronically tuned (ETR) AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player with seek and scan functions, a digital clock, auto tone control, speed-compensated volume and TheftLock comes standard with the H3. 2. An optional ETR AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer and a larger (single-line, twelve-character) text display features a performance-enhanced, premium, seven-speaker Monsoon sound system delivering 200 amplified watts. 3. An optional ETR AM/FM stereo with a single, front-loading CD player with MP3 discplayback capability, includes all base radio features and the performance-enhanced, premium, seven-speaker Monsoon sound system.
 
The H3 features a Short-Long Arm (SLA) independent front suspension and a Hotchkiss design, dual-stage, leaf-spring rear suspension. The front suspension uses an aluminum forged upper control arm and a modular, cast iron lower control arm, for added robustness and strength when off-roading. Both the front and rear suspension systems feature microcellular urethane jounce bumpers, which protect the suspension from hitting the frame in the most severe off-road terrain. Both the front and rear suspensions also use 46 mm, monotube gas-charged shocks, same as in the H2, that come with hydraulic rebound cutoffs specifically designed for the H3. These cutoffs act like secondary absorbers and help smooth shock travel as it reaches its full length. In addition, the front shock absorbers also have an internal, microcellular auxiliary spring that further enhances the vehicle’s ride. (Microcellular urethane provides better impact absorption and longer life than rubber.) Lastly, the suspension system uses a 36 mm hollow front stabilizer bar and a 25 mm solid rear stabilizer bar. They suppress body roll for improved comfort and control in on-road cornering.
 
 
 
 
The H3’s standard two-speed, electronically controlled, full-time 4WD system enables you to go places most other SUV owners couldn’t dream of. By offering both high and low range – high for on-road and low for off-road – the H3 gives you more precise throttle control and more torque at slower speeds. This, coupled with the full-function, single-wheel traction control, allows the H3 to marry outstanding off-road capability with outstanding fuel efficiency. In H3, power and control go hand in hand. Its standard state-of-the-art traction control system (TCS) is an indispensable asset at your disposal. When off-roading or simply on slippery road surfaces, the TCS continually monitors the rotational speed of each wheel. If one wheel is spinning more than the others, the TCS applies braking pressure to the spinning wheel to help it regain its composure and transfers available torque to the wheels that have traction. Using this system, an H3 with three spinning wheels can still move forward, even up a 10% incline. IF THE ABOVE DISCUSSION DIDN’T SERVE TO CONVINCE YOU THAT THE H3 PRESENTS A KNEE-WEAKENING CHALLENGE TO ALL OF ITS COMPETITORS, THE NEXT TOPIC OF CONVERSATION SURELY WILL. IT INVOLVES TWO WORDS BARELY EVEN IN THE VOCABULARY OF OTHER TRUCKS: CRAWL RATIO. Crawl ratio gives you superior control when crawling at very low speeds over large obstacles, like logs, or while moving up slippery or steep grades. A good crawl ratio also provides better engine braking when descending steep slopes, increasing your control. The crawl ratio is determined by multiplying the transmission first gear ratio, transfer case low-range gear reduction and final drive axle ratio. The higher the number, the better. The H3’s crawl ratio in the optional Off-Road Suspension Package is 68.9:1 with the manual transmission and 56.2:1 with the automatic transmission. What that means is that for every 68.9 revolutions of the engine, the tires rotate only once. The result: amazing control when you need it most.
 
4-CHANNEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKING. Let’s take a moment to talk about the H3’s brakes. The four-channel antilock braking system (ABS), standard on the H3, allows you steering control even under extreme braking. The ABS in the H3 can also detect changing road surfaces and adjust the braking accordingly. For example, after heavy rains a washboard-type pattern can develop on dirt roads. The H3’s ABS can recognize this surface and react by preventing the ABS from continually repeating a cycle of applying and depressurizing the brakes. Thus, the ABS system in the H3 can help you come to a smooth, controlled stop on almost any surface. DYNAMIC REAR BRAKE PROPORTIONING. An integral part of this intelligent braking system is Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning. This system modulates rear brake pressure and ensures that braking is balanced between both front and rear brakes. That means optimal braking force at all four wheels, which contributes to shorter, more controlled stopping. And as is the case with all HUMMERs, there’s more. STABILITRAK VEHICLE STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM. This system, standard with the automatic transmission, provides more precise all-weather control, particularly on slick surfaces during emergency manoeuvres, such as swerving to avoid an object in the road. StabiliTrak continuously monitors steering angle, wheel speeds, brake pressure and lateral acceleration. If the system detects a lateral skid, it intervenes by applying braking force to a slipping wheel within one tenth of a second to help stop the skid and restore normal steering control.
 
 
While we make every effort to confirm the accuracy and completeness of this data, Roy Foss Motors makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the information in this report. All prices, specifications, and equipment are subject to change without notice.