First look: Hummer ute breaks cover

GENERAL Motors unveiled a new dual-cab version of the Hummer H3 at the Chicago auto show this week, a model that GM’s Premium Brands division in Australia wants to get its hands on but is still to receive confirmation of right-hand drive production.

Known as the H3T, and coming as no great surprise considering the vehicle had been seen testing overseas for about 12 months before its show debut, the pick-up is based on the H3 wagon launched here in October 2007.

It will enter left-hand drive production at GM’s Shreveport, Louisiana, plant in the US for the 2009 model year, and overseas reports indicate that it will also be sold in Europe and the Middle East.

Although Hummer is adamant that the H3T would do well in Australia, a spokesperson told GoAuto this week that right-hand drive production at the current H3 wagon source plant in South Africa was still to be determined. The pick-up has the same tough, heavy-duty and go-anywhere attributes as the wagon and is identical from the front end to the second pillar.

Of course, the rear section is unique Hummer claims the cab can accommodate three adults with ease across the back bench seat, while the bench itself has a 60/40 split-fold function. The cargo box is 1.5m long and includes a removable tailgate and provisions for a cargo rail system.

The ute is bigger and heavier than the wagon, resting on a stretched 3409mm wheelbase and measuring 5343mm in length, 2161mm in width and 1835mm in height. Kerb weight is 2200kg. The load area has 1506/1281mm in floor length/width, inside 481mm tub walls.

As with the H3 wagon, the pick-up has a ladder-frame chassis and its suspension comprises an independent torsion bar arrangement at the front, and a solid axle with leaf springs at the rear.

Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion, the standard wheel size is 16-inch, and the brakes are discs all-round with ABS. Electric stability control, traction control and curtain airbags round out the safety package.

As with the H3 wagon, the main power source is a 3.7-litre five-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 180kW of power and 328Nm of torque. It is combined with either a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic.

As expected, a V8-powered Alpha version will also be produced. Not due in the H3 wagon until 2009, the 5.3-litre bent eight delivers 224kW at 434Nm and is mated with a four-speed automatic. There is no sign of a 4x2 versions being offered, with all H3Ts running full-time 4WD for the foreseeable future.

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Hummer H3 to spawn ute, V8, diesel versions