2006 HUMMER H1 Alpha

Review

Global warming, disappearing rain forest, the melting ice caps, wey, wey, wey WEY! The more they whine, the more they sound like Chicken Little screaming the SKY IS FALLING! Sadly, "they" fail to grasp the concept that some machines have to be big, loud, powerful and inefficient. By extension, men, real-men, the kind of men that earn a seat at the Miller Beers Square Table have to drive big machines. Even though a vehicle like the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid SUV is very quiet, smooth, refined, and solidly built, it just cant make its own trail through the wild green yonder, or for that matter handle heavy equipment. However, these are the types of missions that Hummers were built for.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger bought a Hummer H1, some thought it was over the top, but most thought it was way cool. Soon afterward Hummers were being bought as daily drivers, recreational off-road toys, and by businesses as rolling billboards. Then GM released the smaller, less expensive H2, which instantly became an automotive icon, especially with the ladies.

It is well documented that 90 percent of the SUVs sold in the U.S. are designed to be female friendly. You know... much like I am; but that is another topic for another feature. Most were actually shocked at how successful the H2 was among female buyers. On the other hand, we guys were instantly captivated by the H2s militaristic look. And from behind the wheel the smaller HUMMER makes you feel like Arnold in the movie Predator.

Although the H2 is based upon a Chevrolet Suburban platform, it is still capable of 85 percent of what the H1 can do off-road. Unlike most vehicles, Hummer did not look to shave weight from the Suburban platform that it was utilized to create the H2. The heavily modified platform added "mucho" weight, improving the H2s rigidity and off-road capability. When compared side-by-side, the differences between the Hummer H2 and the Chevrolet Suburban are clear. For instance, a 4x4, ¾ ton Suburban "only" weighs 5,796 lbs, but the H2 has an additional 617 lbs of mass thanks to platform reinforcements, giving it a curb weight of 6,413 lbs and a GVWR of 8,600 lbs.

Once word got out that the H2 only had a 6,700 lb max-tow rating, haulers and towers crossed it off of their lists. Ironically, the very thing that makes the H2 such a formidable off-road vehicle is the same thing that makes it a less-than-ideal on-road vehicle. This, and the fact that the H2 is only powered by a gasoline engine, makes matters worst.

Although the H1 originally came with a diesel engine, a good thing to most off-roaders, it was a loud, slow unit that was in need of replacement. Finally Hummer swapped this aging unit with GMs excellent DuraMax diesel. If you have read any of my reports on GMCs heavy duty pickups, you know that I absolutely love this engine. It is smooth, efficient, powerful and quiet.

The addition of the DuraMax diesel and an Allison 1000 five-speed automatic transmission has taken the H1 Alpha to the next evolutionary level. Its improved fuel economy, enhanced braking and greater towing capability make it a better on-road vehicle, while its enhanced off-road crawling and climbing capability make it even better when the pavement ends.

The 6.6-liter DuraMax turbo-diesel produces 300-horsepower, which is a 46 percent increase over the outgoing 6.5-liter Optimizer diesel engine. It also generates an 18 percent increase in torque, 155 more pound-feet to be exact, for a total of 520. Improved fuel economy and an increase in fuel capacity have also lengthened the H1 Alphas reach. The Alphas revised fuel tanks can now hold 51.5 gallons of diesel; a 9.5 gallon increase. This in turn has increased the Alphas estimated maximum cruising range from 400 to 570 miles.

The most important on-road improvement is the Alphas maximum towing capacity. This has been improved by 13 percent, giving it a rating of 10,300 lbs.

Off-road capabilities--crawling and climbing in particular--have also been improved. Unlike the outgoing engine and transmission, the DuraMax and Allison units needed more clearance. To accommodate these new units the H1 was lifted by 2 inches, giving it better overall ground clearance. H1 drivetrain braking has been improved by 22 percent, now featuring a crawl ratio of 45:1.

In addition, the H1s unique hub gears have been redesigned and now feature a helical-cut design. Not only does this improve gear engagement and noise reduction, but it also reduces rocking motion during deceleration and stopping maneuvers.

The 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha it is an awesome vehicle. Just try and name another SUV that can scale 22-inch rock ledges, ford 30 inches of water and climb 60-percent grades? Anybody? I didnt think so. Sadly, like a few other GM vehicles (Pontiac Fiero, Cadillac Allante), the most significant improvements seem to come at the very end of their life cycles. This is the last year that GM will make the H1 Alpha available. But there is good news, because from what I have been told there are plenty to be had. In other words, get off your @$$ and get on over to your Hummer dealer and give those Birkenstock sandal wearing, tree hugging hippies something to complain about!

Oh, and remember what to say when your Alpha gets surrounded by a human blockade of Greenpeace advocates; that the Alpha is a whole lot cleaner to the environment than the 73 Volvo wagon they all arrived in, or for that matter almost any car thats more than five years old. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.