General Motors Introduces the Hummer H2 Hybrid

To this point, the folks at General Motors have been a little slow to enter the hybrid auto market. There are several valid reasons for this, not least of which is the enormous expense associated with developing new automotive technology. GM is on the threshold of changing that perceived latency however. Most people are aware that 2007 will mark the introduction of the Yukon SUV for general consumption. What most automobile enthusiasts are aware of is that (late) 2007 will also mark the re-introduction of the much beloved Hummer H2, complete with a hybrid electric power plant. I’ll pause a moment for all SUV lovers to rejoice. What is even more impressive are the performance numbers that GM has leaked. The new Hummer will average an amazing 38 MPG on the highway.

The details on exactly how GM is able to achieve a feat in such a large vehicle are still a little cloudy. What we do understand is GM has partnered with a small mechanical engineering group out of Israel. Apperantly they have developed a new way of producing large amounts of power from battery cells that can be easily replenished with the combination of output from the combustion engine and a mechanism that uses compressed air from the vehicles motion. The GM department we have been in contact with indicated that this will shatter the current expectations of hybrid electric performance.

As exciting as this news is, there is reasons to be cautious. Firstly, we don’t yet have all numbers available. The list price has not yet been determined, nor are warranty details. Also most current Hummer owners have come to expect a certain level horsepower available to them, and while the MPG estimates are astonishing, we do not yet know the power output figures of the Hummer H2 Hybrid.

It would be nearly inconceivable that General Motors would allow any vehicle titled Hummer to leave the factory that isn’t able to conquer the most extreme of off-road conditions. To this end the Hummer H2 Hybrid will ship with the same ground clearance and off-road package as it’s H2 sibling. So any fear that the Hummer H2 Hybrid will be a dummied down imitation of what the Hummer name is all about should be put aside. It looks as though the hybrid electric vehicle has finally come of age.

For more details and photos visit hybridsreviewed.com www.hybridsreviewed.com