Are you tired of having the vehicle you drive betray you as a Soccer Mom? Here's one that will transform you into a Socko Mutha.

Maybe unable to leap tall buildings, the Hummer2 can scale rugged rocks and wade water not to mention haul your groceries and your kids' teammates. And it most certainly can wow your neighbors. What's more it is carefully appointed, comfortable, spacious and drives quite nicely on the highway, thank you.

The Humvee, a wide and capable military vehicle of Gulf War fame, was slightly demobbed to become the first Hummer, a mammoth loud, uncomfortable sand box toy for large, rich boys. (Prototype: Arnold Schwarzenegger.) General Motors made an arrangement with AM General (the manufacturer) with an idea of exploring a path similar to that taken by a previous military vehicle that made it big in civvies - the Jeep. The Hummer2 (aka H2) is the second civilian branch off that Humvee trunk. There will be others even smaller coming along. The Hummer1 (about 1000 units a year) will continue as well.

The H2, projected as a 30,000 per year seller, is related via platform to GM's other large trucks and SUVs - Suburban, Escalade, Tahoe, Yukon, Sierra, Silverado etc. However the H2 is much more than a slab-sided body and squared off nose designed for effect. For economy the H2 draws heavily on parts already in the bin but it is considerably modified to make a serious on-road off-road and off-off-road performer.
In use it is as capable as a genii; in appearance it is orderly and eye pleasing. The H2 is no wannabe; it is an "is." In short this Hummer is a humdinger.

Mechanical details: the engine is a Vortec 6-liter V8 gasoline engine producing 316 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 360 lb-ft of torque at 4000. The transmission is a four-speed automatic.
The Hummerization of the package begins with shortening the basic platform to reduce overhang to a minimum and get the wheels (ruddy big ones) as close to the four corners as possible. If a vehicle is to be more than just a foul weather friend or a fishing-cabin pack mule it must score well in the statistics for things called approach and descent angles and breakover.

These numbers determine how steep an incline can be attacked heading upward or left behind heading down without serious insults to the bodywork. And how sharp a crest can be crossed without getting hung up teetering there in need of a skyhook. In short these are the measure of off-roadability.

Imagine a sharp curb of normal street height. Probably your car can climb it if approached just right. Now make that curb 18" high, a comfortable seating height. The H2 can roll up over that with even greater ease.

For the record, the H2's approach and descent angles are 41.7 and 41.8 degrees and the breakover 27.5 degrees. The numbers may mean little to a driver whose off-road experience has been an unintentional detour through the neighbor's petunias, but trust me - these are impressive. Furthermore, the underside of the H2 where vulnerable parts live is plated and caged and otherwise armored against the intrusion of rocks and stumps with malicious intent. (CONTINUE...)