 If GM builds H4, it'll slot below the midsize H3 in Hummer's lineup. |
General Motors wants to do a compact Hummer, but can't figure out a cost-effective plan. But if GM has the will, we think we have a way.
What We Know About the 2009 Hummer H4
Hummer is one of the most antisocial names in motoring, synonymous with gas-guzzling SUVs that many people love to hate. That might explain why parent General Motors is mulling a first-ever compact Hummer to slot below the midsize H3 and the burly full-size H2. Another motivation is the likelihood of much tougher corporate average fuel-economy standards and how an "H4" would help GM comply. Then too, crossover SUVs, especially compacts, are hot sellers now. And GM needs to expand the Hummer line to realize greater profits than it can with just two basic models.
Though GM admits it's considering an H4, some say the company has no suitable platform for such a vehicle. Moreover, GM can't afford a from-scratch design, because even a compact Hummer would likely draw only modest sales and probably couldn't be re-purposed for other vehicles, thus limiting return on investment.
GM may ultimately find a way around these issues. Meantime, we have a suggestion. It stems from revelations in GM's new contract with the United Auto Workers Union, especially the pact's broad-brush outline of company product plans for the next five years. Notably absent from GM "commitments" to 16 U.S. plants--and the UAW jobs they provide--is the Moraine, Ohio facility that builds the aging GMT360 midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
The rumor mill already put these trucks on death watch, due a steep drop in sales; the leaked product plan makes the execution official. But wait a minute, GM. Why not adapt the 360 platform for a Hummer H4? After all, it's a body-on-frame truck design, not one of your car-style unibody "crossover" constructions that likely wouldn't provide the off-road macho mojo needed to maintain Hummer's brand credibility. Moreover, you love wringing the most possible mileage from every component you use, so why not give these old bones a second life for the smallest Hummer in history? If nothing else, you'd be a hero to the good people of Moraine.
It's easy. Slice six inches from wheelbase and overall length, expand axle width by at least four inches, slap on some boxy Hummer body panels, and you got it. Forget the H3's wimpy 3.7-liter five-cylinder base engine. Hummer is supposed to be an "aspirational" brand, so start with the TrailBlazer's 4.2 inline six and offer an H4 Alpha with your 5.3 V8--and your Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation, of course. Just think: You'll be politically correct with the biggest, brawniest rig in the segment. The heaviest, too, but Hummers have never been about efficiency, right? If you feel guilty about that, make the hood or front fenders or tailgate out of aluminum, composites, or some other weight-saving material. Hey, you can afford it, what with all you're saving on development costs. And the H4 should still get better real-world mileage than an H3. Keep the old four-speed automatic transmission if you must, but include Hummer-worthy four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. Don't forget jumbo tires and jumbo wheel travel for military-grade looks and off-road crawling ability.
You shouldn't skimp on other features either. After all, we're talking premium compact SUV, which means going up against the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti EX, and expected newbies from Lexus and Mercedes. So shoot for the works. Include standard H3 items like antilock brakes, stability/traction control, a full load of airbags and the always helpful OnStar assistance. Then dazzle 'em with options like leather upholstery, navigation system, chrome package, an Indiana Jones Edition, whatever moves people to lay their money down.
Are we making sense here, GM? Yeah, we know the rumor mill has you introducing an H4 as a 2009 model, but that's very optimistic timing if you're still trying to decide how to build the thing, as some reports indicate. So how about 2010? By that time, you might even be able to offer an H4 with a version of your new Two-Mode gasoline/electric hybrid system, thus creating a socially acceptable Hummer. You're busy transforming all your other brands. Why not this one?
A Notable Feature of the 2009 Hummer H4
The most notable thing about a 2009 Hummer H4 would be that GM actually builds it. There's a real question about how small the Hummer style and image can go before becoming a caricature of itself, and GM has lots of other projects with higher priority in terms of potential sales and profits--the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu sedan, for a start.
Buying Advice for the 2009 Hummer H4
From what we know now, a 2009 Hummer H4 is a long shot. A 2010-model debut seems more realistic, assuming the project even gets the green light. In the meantime, the ranks of premium compact SUVs are swelling fast, so we see no reason to wait.
2009 Hummer H4 Release Date: The upcoming 2007-2008 auto-show season may tell a tale. If GM shows a production-ready concept this winter, the 2009 Hummer H4 could be in showrooms by fall of '08. Otherwise, we'd probably have to wait another six months to a year at least.
First Test Drive: If there is a 2009 Hummer H4, media previews would presumably happen in the summer or fall of 2008. But this is more likely a 2010 introduction, which initial seat time won't be offered until at least early 2009, and probably later.
2009 Hummer H4 Prices: We wouldn't be surprised if Hummer makes room for the H4 by dropping the base five-cylinder H3, which starts at around $31,000. That would allow the compact to start at a competitive $28,000 or so with a six-cylinder engine and range up into the low $30,000s with a V8.
Reference:
Poole, Chris. "2009 Hummer H4 Review and Prices." 15 October 2007. HowStuffWorks.com.
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