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2006 Hummer H3 Preview

Slimming Down in Time for Next Summer

Without a doubt, the worlds most iconic sport utility vehicles are created by Hummer. Based off the backbone of military DNA and technology, the original Hummer, now dubbed H1 were war machines: unstoppable, unshakable and nearly indestructible. But now that General Motors has taken over the brand, its identity has shifted in the view of the public. Now Hummer H1s and H2s are symbols of status and wealth, yet despite being in the spotlight they still offer as much off-road capability as they do rugged styling. But unlike many rival SUV manufacturers which keep building larger and larger models, Hummer is now concentrating on scaling the size factor down.

Just a few short days after the H2s hydrogen-powered

The H3, unveiled at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, is classified as a midsize sport utility vehicle. (Photo: General Motors)

H2H sibling was announced, Hummer pulled the wraps off the latest addition to the family. The H3, unveiled at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim, is classified as a midsize sport utility vehicle. A smaller, less expensive entry should help boost Hummer sales, which have been slipping at an alarmingly quick rate as of late.

The H3 will also help Hummer rebuild its "eroding" image, from battle

The smaller, lighter and more environmentally-friendly H3 hopes to reach a new audience. (Photo: General Motors)

warrior to planet offender number 1. By capturing all of the style, some of the off-road capability and a fair bit of the road presence from larger Hummers, the smaller, lighter and more environmentally-friendly H3 hopes to reach an audience which previously would only have dreamed about Hummer ownership.

Between the H3T pickup truck concept first displayed at last years Los Angeles auto show (see concept archives under Hummer), and the production-ready vehicle of today very little has changed from the

Aside from a couple of unique styling details, the H3 is obviously the H2s little brother. (Photo: General Motors)

front clip to the B-pillar. While its true that the funky black and red Nike-designed tires and the two-door pickup body style are not part of the H3 package, as of yet at least, its Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon midsize pickup truck roots continue forward.

The H3 takes after the H2 in terms of styling, as opposed to the original and less sophisticated H1. Both feature key Hummer trademarks including chunky bodywork seemingly carved from a solid block of metal, an in-your-face vertical louvered chrome grille, wide and narrow side windows, and massive wheels and tires. Stylistically there are

Although it has roughly the same footprint as a typical American family sedan, the imposing design of the H3 makes it appear larger. (Photo: General Motors)

a few notable differences between the H2 and the H3, namely the pronounced fender flares, front mounted turn signals and unique front and rear bumpers, but these dont obscure the fact that the H3 is obviously the H2s little brother.

At 111.9 inches long, 88.5 inches wide and 74.5 inches high, the H3 is 16.9 inches stubbier in length, 6.0 inches shorter in height and 6.5 inches narrower than the H2, giving it roughly the same footprint as a typical American family sedan. These dimensions are hard to comprehend in photos, as its imposing design makes it appear just as large as the juggernaut-sized H2.

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