Muscat Oman - The iconic HUMMER H2 with a raft of changes, delivers a 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 consists of a 6.2-litre all-aluminum small-block V8 engine, rated at 393 horsepower (net ) – an increase of about 20 per cent over the previous engine – and a Hydra-Matic 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 are keys to the improved performance and efficiency. 

The iconic, seven-slot grille features larger openings and an enlarged lower grille also, accommodating the cooling needs of the more powerful 6.2L V8 engines. The lower bumpers are painted silver, while Graystone metallic and Solar Flare Metallic are new available exterior colours. 

While drivers will feel the H2’s improved performance on the road, they’ll appreciate it more while experiencing the all-new interior. The H2 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 and new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system. Also, a rear HVAC (heating, ventilation, and cooling) system is now standard. Interior trim can now be specified either in Ebony or Sedona/Ebony leather.  

Seats in the H2 have a new, chiselled 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 to achieve uncompromised comfort tuning for the seats. Front seat safety belt pretensioners are now 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 millimetre 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 AM/FM stereo with MP3 compatible 6-disc in-dash CD changer, seek-and-scan, digital clock and auto-tone control. A 9-speaker Bose performance-enhanced premium system with surround sound rounds out the audio range. The instrument panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout the vehicle – particularly for the second- and third-row seats. 

The heart of the H2 is a new, 6.2-litre V8 engine that uses Variable Valve Timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. It is rated at 393 horsepower (net) at 5700 and 563 Nm of torque (net) at 4300. The engine also features lightweight materials, including an aluminum cylinder block, which helps reduce the vehicle’s overall mass. 

A new six-speed Hydra-Matic electronically controlled automatic transmission backs the 6.2-litre engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio – including two overdrive gears – that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the new transmission has a “tap up/tap down” capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with buttons on the steering wheel – just what is needed for spirited driving! 

The new powertrain combination helps the H2 deliver an additional 771 kg in towing capacity.  Off-road acumen also was enhanced with the new powertrain system. The transmission’s tap up/tap down feature provides more control on grades. The transfer case is improved in the  H2; it is stronger with improved performance. A new traction control system also is standard as is GM’s famed StabiliTrak. This helps ensure sure-footed traction in most driving conditions. Driving performance off the road or on is enhanced by a revised steering gear that has a quicker ratio and improved on-centre return ability. The driving experience also is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, tuned air intake and exhaust systems.  

Complementing the H2’s performance and comfort, the changes are enhancements to the safety system. They include several new standard features such as: Roof rail head curtain side air bags for first, second and third-row passengers with rollover sensing system; safety belt pretensioners (first-row seats); Electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology; new traction control system andTyre pressure monitoring system. 

While the H2 is offered with a new powertrain and interior, its foundation remains the same: a fully welded ladder-type frame that features a modular, three-piece design incorporating a number of hydroformed components. This design delivers outstanding strength, stiffness and dimensional accuracy. 

The H2 has short overhangs for radical approach and departure angles and exceptional ground clearance for minimal impact on trails. Standard 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front suspension and a five-link rear suspension provide superior handling, carrying and towing capability. The solid rear axle ensures durable sure-footedness, particularly in tight, off-road situations. Also standard is underbody protection and rocker protection. These elements help the H2 deliver on HUMMER’s mantra of capability, including travelling through streams 508 mm deep, climbing 406-mm steps and rocks and paddling through deep sand or snow. 

A new, four-channel anti-lock braking/traction control system (ABS/TCS) provides optimum control on slippery surfaces. In addition, the ABS can detect and adjust its braking capabilities to rough off-road surfaces like gravel and potholes. The new traction system allows the driver to use a two-foot driving technique (one foot on the brake, the other on the gas pedal), which is best driving style for negotiating a steep, rocky trail. The TCS also includes the ability to gain traction through a single wheel. A self-levelling rear air spring suspension system is available for extreme off-road and towing requirements. 

OTE Group is the exclusive dealer for HUMMER in Oman. HUMMER H2 is available for test drive at OTE Group’s 14 showrooms spread across the Sultanate or call 24566267 for more details.