Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid?

**Ming** · 08-09-2007, 02:52 PM

Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid?
Posted 8/9/07 by esanchez
Truckin' Web

Hybrid Hummer: How Cute

In the nauseatingly constant coverage of Paris Hilton, the bubbleheaded heiress said she was planning on buying a Hummer Hybrid, to which a GM spokesperson promptly went on record as saying doesn't exist. Perhaps not now. But could something as ridiculous as a vapid, uninformed statement by a celebutante prompt General Motors to reconsider?

As strange as it may seem, it might actually happen. Considering, tragically, how many people hang on Paris' ever word and want to emulate her style right down to hair, makeup and shoes, if Hummer dealers suddently get overwhelmed with requests for hybrids, could the demand be too much to ignore? Maybe, maybe not.

Let's put a few things in perspective. First off, the imposing H2, at more than $60,000, is not exactly within reach of everyone. The H3, at about half that, is more accessible.

Secondly, the brick-like aerodynamics of both models, in addition to their porkier-than-most curb weights, would probably negate many of the benefits that would come from a hybrid drivetrain.

Cost no object, probably the best combination would be a two-mode hybrid diesel with the new 4.5 Duramax. But such a combination would probably push the H2's price dangerously close to six figures. No big deal for Ms. Hilton, but probably a potential barrier to entry for most customers.

There's also the issue of a two-mode system's robustness under harsh off-road conditions. Granted, few Hummer owners probably venture much further than the ski lodge in their behemoths, but Hummer nonetheless touts the off-road ability of its vehicles. Should the company sacrifice some capability to offer a Hybrid?

Source / Continued: http://blogs.truckinweb.com/6213736/...hummer-hybrid/

ronald mcretard · 08-09-2007, 03:05 PM

I don't see why this would be any more difficult or costly than making a hybrid Tahoe.

JazzyChef · 08-09-2007, 03:13 PM

I'm not really sure it's gonna make that much of a difference on a truck that weighs a lot more than the Tahoe and Yukon

eaton53 · 08-09-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyChef

I'm not really sure it's gonna make that much of a difference on a truck that weighs a lot more than the Tahoe and Yukon

It weighs a hell of a lot less than a hybrid bus and it seems to make a pretty big difference there, so why not?

If a hybrid H2 got better mileage than a Sequoia or Tundra that would stir things up a bit. If you got it, flaunt it!

AndrewGS · 08-09-2007, 03:22 PM

It's only a matter of time. It would be relatively easy to do to current models as well.

95MonteCarlo · 08-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Thanks Ming. I needed a good laugh today.

JVal14 · 08-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Considering she can't seem to drive sober, I would hate to know that Paris Hilton is rolling around in an H2. Hey does anyone remember The Governator making a similar comment ragarding hydrogen Hummers when he first took office? It's encouraging to know that people like these are role models.

Anyway, I think it's a good idea, just because it would mitigate some of the negative perception that GM gets from environmentalists over the Hummer brand (although they don't seem to worry as much about Land Cruisers, FJ Cruisers and Sequoias). It could also help in meeting CAFE standards.

VibenPontiac · 08-09-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaton53

It weighs a hell of a lot less than a hybrid bus and it seems to make a pretty big difference there, so why not?

If a hybrid H2 got better mileage than a Sequoia or Tundra that would stir things up a bit. If you got it, flaunt it!

As a % of mpg yes the hybrid has a good effect on the bus 25% or more precisely 3 mpg to 4 mpg if I recall the article on this site correctly - not exactly worth it when it comes to a niche brand. Money on Hybrid technology is much better spent on volume people movers.

jkennedy293 · 08-09-2007, 03:43 PM

Adding a two-mode to any truck is going to help fuel economy. And if your buying a Hybrid H2, you are only doing it for the snob factor anyway. And since snobs will pretty much pay anything to better than the Joneses, price shouldn't be a factor.

windvale · 08-09-2007, 03:44 PM

Who cares ??? It's like putting lipstick on Frankenstein...

GM-Joe · 08-09-2007, 03:56 PM

Anything for Paris, as long as she looks good. Actually, the diesel and hybrid isn't a bad idea for a limited production run; one for the "gotta have one's!"

jbernie · 08-09-2007, 04:00 PM

I recall seeign an article online i guess maybe 2 months ago about a custom shop that was building bio diesel variants of vehicles and giving HP bossts as well as serious MPG boosts as well, I could have sworn they were doing H2s.

So it might not be a factory one, but still a hybrid of sorts.

mcool · 08-09-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaton53

It weighs a hell of a lot less than a hybrid bus and it seems to make a pretty big difference there, so why not?

If a hybrid H2 got better mileage than a Sequoia or Tundra that would stir things up a bit. If you got it, flaunt it!

Agreed. There's no reason to exclude the H2 from the 2-mode if it's readily feasible. Hummers currently sell in the prime pricepoint for the 2-mode rollout, so why not? It doesn't hurt the brand, it improves it IMHO. GM didn't look at the 800 architecture and say... "gee that's not hummer enough hardware to compare to the H1." No they got success from leveraging the engineering and staying true to the established design language. It would also be nice to see the H3 alpha eventually become a 2-mode drivetrain with the 5.3L V8 migrating down.

YupYupYup · 08-09-2007, 04:14 PM

It's coming...Just not in that aweful pink...

**TaHoE** · 08-09-2007, 04:33 PM

Dman, I was just writing an editorial on this...oh well.

08-09-2007, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,111	Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Posted 8/9/07 by esanchez Truckin' Web Hybrid Hummer: How Cute In the nauseatingly constant coverage of Paris Hilton, the bubbleheaded heiress said she was planning on buying a Hummer Hybrid, to which a GM spokesperson promptly went on record as saying doesn't exist. Perhaps not now. But could something as ridiculous as a vapid, uninformed statement by a celebutante prompt General Motors to reconsider? As strange as it may seem, it might actually happen. Considering, tragically, how many people hang on Paris' ever word and want to emulate her style right down to hair, makeup and shoes, if Hummer dealers suddently get overwhelmed with requests for hybrids, could the demand be too much to ignore? Maybe, maybe not. Let's put a few things in perspective. First off, the imposing H2, at more than $60,000, is not exactly within reach of everyone. The H3, at about half that, is more accessible. Secondly, the brick-like aerodynamics of both models, in addition to their porkier-than-most curb weights, would probably negate many of the benefits that would come from a hybrid drivetrain. Cost no object, probably the best combination would be a two-mode hybrid diesel with the new 4.5 Duramax. But such a combination would probably push the H2's price dangerously close to six figures. No big deal for Ms. Hilton, but probably a potential barrier to entry for most customers. There's also the issue of a two-mode system's robustness under harsh off-road conditions. Granted, few Hummer owners probably venture much further than the ski lodge in their behemoths, but Hummer nonetheless touts the off-road ability of its vehicles. Should the company sacrifice some capability to offer a Hybrid? Source / Continued: http://blogs.truckinweb.com/6213736/...hummer-hybrid/ __________________ The Latest: Ten Reasons to Play Commodore 64 Games on a Modern Computer Last edited by Ming : 08-09-2007 at 02:55 PM.

08-09-2007, 03:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
ronald mcretard 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,644	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? I don't see why this would be any more difficult or costly than making a hybrid Tahoe.

08-09-2007, 03:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
JazzyChef 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Az Drives: 2006 Mazda 3 S Hatchback Copper red, 5-spd Sport Posts: 258	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? I'm not really sure it's gonna make that much of a difference on a truck that weighs a lot more than the Tahoe and Yukon __________________ "The Prius has become an icon of the environmental movement and appreciated by a broad spectrum of of naive consumers" - Anonymous http://www.baileycar.com/prius_problems.html

08-09-2007, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
AndrewGS 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Spring, TX, MX (Houston) Drives: 1986 Ford RS200 EVO Posts: 6,718	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? It's only a matter of time. It would be relatively easy to do to current models as well. __________________ Andrew - MySpace - KD5FHW 1995 Buick Roadmaster Limited - LT1, 4L60E, 2.93 Gears, 260HP, 4,200LBS, 15.4SEC 1/4-MI, 20MPG 2005 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 LS - LM7, 4L60E, 3.73 Gears, 300HP, 4,200LBS, 15.0SEC 1/4-MI, 19.0MPG "Gas mileage is fine, but keep in mind, the first question any car buyer asks themselves is, 'Will this get me laid?'"

08-09-2007, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
95MonteCarlo 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 190	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Thanks Ming. I needed a good laugh today.

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08-09-2007, 03:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
JVal14 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 994	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Considering she can't seem to drive sober, I would hate to know that Paris Hilton is rolling around in an H2. Hey does anyone remember The Governator making a similar comment ragarding hydrogen Hummers when he first took office? It's encouraging to know that people like these are role models. Anyway, I think it's a good idea, just because it would mitigate some of the negative perception that GM gets from environmentalists over the Hummer brand (although they don't seem to worry as much about Land Cruisers, FJ Cruisers and Sequoias). It could also help in meeting CAFE standards. __________________ Blah blah blah....green green green....global warning....blah blah....carbon footprint....green green....blah blah....catch phrase...talking head...blah blah blah Last edited by JVal14 : 08-09-2007 at 03:39 PM.

08-09-2007, 03:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
jkennedy293 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holly Springs, NC Drives: '03 Cavalier Posts: 1,161	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Adding a two-mode to any truck is going to help fuel economy. And if your buying a Hybrid H2, you are only doing it for the snob factor anyway. And since snobs will pretty much pay anything to better than the Joneses, price shouldn't be a factor.

08-09-2007, 03:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
windvale 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cary, NC Drives: 2002 Trailblazer Posts: 733	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Who cares ??? It's like putting lipstick on Frankenstein...

08-09-2007, 03:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
GM-Joe 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Drives: 1997 Saab 900 2.0 Turbo Posts: 1,308	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Anything for Paris, as long as she looks good. Actually, the diesel and hybrid isn't a bad idea for a limited production run; one for the "gotta have one's!" __________________ Current: 1997 Saab 900 2.0 Turbo 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 10 (retired 11/12/2007; 219,986 mi.) Dead: 1983 Datsun 280 ZX by Nissan (146,857 mi.) 1986 Lincoln Mercury Lynx (64K mi.) 1979 Chrysler Cordoba w/ Corinthian Leather seats (130K mi.) 1976 Dodge Charger (130K mi.)

08-09-2007, 04:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
jbernie 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado, USA Drives: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Posts: 1,190	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? I recall seeign an article online i guess maybe 2 months ago about a custom shop that was building bio diesel variants of vehicles and giving HP bossts as well as serious MPG boosts as well, I could have sworn they were doing H2s. So it might not be a factory one, but still a hybrid of sorts. __________________ Talk is cheap, sometimes it is on sale!

08-09-2007, 04:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
YupYupYup 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 630	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? It's coming...Just not in that aweful pink...

08-09-2007, 04:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
TaHoE GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Drives: 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora 3.5 Posts: 9,817	Re: Will GM Build A Hummer Hybrid? Dman, I was just writing an editorial on this...oh well. __________________

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