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HUMMER barges into India
Mumbai, India
April 19th, 2010

Uber-SUV manufacturer HUMMER has made a foray into the Indian market with their lineup of ultra-large SUVs. The company spokesperson said at the company mega launch event here at the Bandra-Kurla Complex, that the entire portfolio, ranging from their tamed baby H3 model, to the wild, all-conquering H1 Alpha, have been offered.

After recent tensions over the sale of the brand, it's still unpublicised new owners will make sure that they never again have to deal with issues relating to efficiency, environmental impact and, most of all, brand security. They have cemented their words with the launch of new engines as well as major modifications to the existing lineup to ensure compatibility with the most stringent emission norms and NVH restrictions.

The H1 - the one that started it all, is back with a bang, intact with that powerhouse 6.6L V8 engine, now featuring common-rail direct injection and twin turbochargers - one turbo for each cylinder bank. The head of engineering said, "A sequential turbo setup was not required as the engine peaks at very low speeds, and turbo lag is not an issue." Not an issue is right, for the new engine makes 440bhp at just 3000rpm - a huge improvement from the earlier 300bhp. Torque is truly gargantuan, with 1032Nm available all the way from 1250rpm until 2500rpm. Of this, 40% is available from idle - which is still 412Nm! Power is transferred via a 6-speed manual transmission with their renowned range-selectable all-time four-wheel-drive with throttle-brake modulation, which is now even more effective. Also on offer is a newly-developed 8-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Automatic option mated to the newly-introduced dual clutch system with automatically controlled torque distribution. The equipment list doesn't end there as this engine is also fitted as standard with a Diesel Particulate Filter and eight (8!) catalytic converters that make this engine Euro 5 compliant apart from making it near-zero emission.

Also on offer is a new tri-turbo V8 engined petrol option. This newly developed 5-litre V8 features direct injection, and three turbo chargers - one small turbo per bank for bottom and mid range boost, and one large turbo for higher engine speeds for top-end boost. All these put together mean a power output of 526bhp at 5000rpm and torque output of 710Nm from 2000rpm until 3800rpm. This engine is fully E85 capable and can run regular unleaded as well. Transmission options are the same as the diesel variant, and this is a good thing as the system remains relatively unstressed as the torque output of the petrol unit is a good 31% lower than the mad diesel motor. This engine too, is Euro 5 compliant with a truly unbelievable 198gm/km of CO2.


The H2 is launched in a new avatar. And for the very first time, comes with a diesel engine. This slightly tamed HUMMER now features a 4.0-litre V8 common-rail direct injection with a tri-turbo setup and hence delivers a shove like nothing else. (Apart from the H1 of course..) 280 huge horses come charging at 4000rpm, while 660Nm of turning force begins the tarmac shoveling process at 1800rpm, up until 2500rpm. This one too, is equipped with a DPF and 8 catalytic converters. Needless to say, it is Euro 5 compliant and an almost zero-emission vehicle.

The petrol variant borrows the V8 engine, but without the tri-turbo setup, instead opting for just the large unit. No disappointment as this version has an output of 476bhp at 5000rpm and makes 643Nm between 2700 and 3800rpm. Again, the 6-speed manual option and the 8-speed CVT Automatic with the smart all-wheel-drive system find their place here - on both, the petrol and diesel models. This is the H2 the world was waiting for.


The H3, the baby of the group, is now positioned as the green HUMMER that is part of the life of the active family, the ride of choice for every family member and the one whose keys are always snatched if ever found. And it truly is.. The new H3 is a hugely practical vehicle for every need imaginable. Yes, it still is much bigger than the largest of the large family SUVs out there, but it makes good use of it's size with some finer details that make it worth every penny, and at the same time, justify every mm of it's hugeness. Loaded with all the entertainment features, and three proper full size rows, this is one good bargain. Engine options feature an all new 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol making 285bhp at 5200rpm and 385Nm of torque between 3000 and 4000rpm. There's also a very unique 2.9L tri-turbo common-rail direct injection diesel engine with 250bhp at 4000rpm and a more-than-ample 562Nm of torque from 1600-2800rpm. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual, or the 8-speed CVT Automatic. All variants feature the smart all-wheel-drive system.

So there you have it, the entire portfolio of the long-awaited HUMMER brand are now available in India through a 6 dealer network which is ever-increasing. Bookings have already commenced. The cars will come in as CKD kits and will be assembled at the HUMMER facility at Chakan, on the outskirts of Pune. This means that the pricing is very competitive, to say the least, as the competition offers all models which are CBU. The basic model of the H3, with manual transmission is available for Rs. 28.5 lakhs ex-showroom Pune, with the brand flagship, the H1 Alpha model available for Rs. 90 lakhs ex-showroom Pune.