Buggy version of Hummer H4 reportedly in GM's future

[ghughes]

Brilliant - make it smaller than the wrangler - follow it up with a K-5 blazer-sized vert-

[Wagon of Fury]

Bah ! Hum-bug



:p

[zaxxis]

I sure hope it doesn't take until 2009. The H4 was a given, when you look at where GM wants to go with Hummer. In fact, if the H4 isn't out by mid-2007 I would say they dropped the ball.

-Z

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by Swahili

This is not what I would have thought of when I think of the name "Hummer".

This is what I think of

You don't want to know what I think of when I hear the name "hummer"

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

You don't want to know what I think of when I hear the name "hummer"

Is it similarly messy?

[Snafu_SS]

A Blazer based off of the Colorado with a removeable (?) top like the buggy above would be very nice....

that sounds very very very nice!!! i can only hope n wish n .....

[Snafu_SS]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

That means dump the torsion bar IFS.
The next gen Wrangler will still have a SFA/SRA set up, V-8 option, and traditional Jeep off-road abilities.

If an H4 is H3 based, it will be good, but not as good.

now i am totally for solid axles but that doesnt mean IFS is a total looser here...hummer uses IFS on all their vehicles and they are quite capable already.

rock crawling buggies use independent suspension all around, the military version of the jeep used IFS and IRS back in the vietnam era..if it was to be any problem then they could easily work in a quick disconect type system, i have heard of these in the aftermarket if im not mistaken..with the new wrangler on the way and seeing what Jeep has done to it's other vehicles and incoming future product...i dont know how capable a new wrangler might be...

[jwvrod]

Great idea!, the H4 could only help the Hummer portfolio.

[mobyss]

Originally Posted by member12

I told you guys that mule of a colorado regular cab was a hummer....Imagine an open top Blazer like car on the regular wheelbase colorado platform, only more off road capable....That may actually be good enough to beat the Wrangler if they can get the 4wd right.

Unless GM offers solid axles with lockers front and rear, Hummer will never be equal to the Jeep Wrangler off-road. IFS just doesn't cut it when you put on 35-inch tires and try crawling over rocks and logs. I've seen a 2004 F-150 literally twist it's front suspension off in some 1-2 foot diameter rocks.

[member12]

Originally Posted by mobyss

Unless GM offers solid axles with lockers front and rear, Hummer will never be equal to the Jeep Wrangler off-road. IFS just doesn't cut it when you put on 35-inch tires and try crawling over rocks and logs. I've seen a 2004 F-150 literally twist it's front suspension off in some 1-2 foot diameter rocks.

The F150 uses Aluminum control arms designed to bend, and force the wheel to turn inward in the event of an offset style crash.
The suspension is actually designed to break. Check the stats. Aluminum front suspension for that reason. The Colorado's IFS can be easily modified, anyway. In fact, the H1 is arguable one of the best off road vehicles on the planet, and it uses IFS. It can be done right....Most of those types who hate IFS are jeep guys who like to dish the IFS liberty (which is executed very poorly).

The Colorado, H3 come with rear lockers and a very low range transfer case. Front lockers can't be that hard to do. I could see it happening...

[kenman923]

I could see a Blazer concept at an auto show near you in the future.

[paul8488]

I think if it's tough and looks like a Hummer and is as capable (hopefully mroe) than the other ones, they may as well. There are only so many vehicles that fit within Hummers image, and that's one of them. Hummer is pretty golden with the H3 right now, so GM has to capatilize. I still wanna see a concept Hummer 4x4 coupe/roadster. Not because it's a good idea, but because it'd sure grab some attention! Someone here did a drawing once and it was pretty cool! Also, as Jeep treads off into silly frail-rated vehicles Hummer can really stick it to them with real off-road vehicles.

[nailhead425]

Originally Posted by Snafu_SS

now i am totally for solid axles but that doesnt mean IFS is a total looser here...hummer uses IFS on all their vehicles and they are quite capable already.

rock crawling buggies use independent suspension all around, the military version of the jeep used IFS and IRS back in the vietnam era..if it was to be any problem then they could easily work in a quick disconect type system, i have heard of these in the aftermarket if im not mistaken..with the new wrangler on the way and seeing what Jeep has done to it's other vehicles and incoming future product...i dont know how capable a new wrangler might be...

Please re-read my post, I wrote torsion bar IFS.

Not all Hummers are created equal.

H1s use hub reduction which not only reduces the half-shaft stresses, but it allows the differential to be moved higher in the chassis. H1s use coil springs as well. H1s were designed to be good in sand, mud, water, and snow. Not on rocks. Remember, the Military uses quads and helicopters for that. H1s are so wide that in very tough, tight trails, they don't work so well.

H2 and H3s use linear rate torsion bars that limit suspension travel and don't provide the articulation of coil-sprung IFS or solid axles. The crossmember for the differential and suspension parts are mounted low in the chassis, which reduces the available ground clearance when in action off-road.

Purpose built rock-crawling machines spend little time anywhere near highway speeds, so they can run greater half-shaft angles, more suspension travel than OEM designs, and 100,000 mile durability isn't even a consideration.

The M-151, M-151A1, and M-151A2 Vietnam era IFS/IRS Jeeps used a swing arm system that was prone to dangerous and deadly roll-overs. Only the later M-151A2 wasn't completely dangerous.

The new wrangler has been spied with SFA/SRA.

Now, IFS can be made to work very well off-road, but these versions are not torsion bar systems.

GM can and should do better.

[RedVee8]

Cut down Colorado (like the Isuzu Mu of the 90's) but with Hummer styling cues, plus a GMC version that doesn't look identical to the Hummer. Proper 4wd ability a must.

[jckjds]

A cut down Colorado platform with a widened track would be perfect. Strong and relatively light-weight.

Size it right at the current Wrangler, offer the Atlast 2.8 I4 and either the 4.2 I6 or a V-8 (prob 5.3). Make it with soft or hardtop options. Make it reasonably off-road capable in base form with substantial necessary concessions to on-road livibility (as many people would want one for 95% road use and 5% off road use), and make a special version (ala rubicon) for hard-core enthusiasts.

Offer luxury and hose-out interiors (reflecting the different uses to which buyers will put them). Make it to average at least 25 mpg in I4 form.

Price it from 18-25K, and sell boat loads of them.