Thursday 25 February 2016

In The Spirit Of Throwbacks......The Hummer H2, The Car With The Military Background

A car has always been a means of self expression, often reflecting its owners taste, style and even social status. These days, car buyers use their choice of vehicle to make even bigger statements.

If you were alive some 13 years ago or thereabout, lol there was a car on Naija roads that commanded so much respect, when I say respect I know wetin I dey talk. This car im talking about, as an Ibo man if you don't own it you're not complete, infact I know a man that purchased this car in America, shipped it to Naija and had a party when the car landed, the car was a bully back then, it was large, looks rugged and its beautiful, so many lights on it that you'll think there's a car called Christmas, but unfortunately the car is defunct, so what car are we talking about? its the Almighty Hummer H2.

Hummer H2
For some people, they will be like "why do I need such a big SUV, this is too massive, let me just stick to my Toyota Corolla", but foe some other people (me included) nothing sell success like a substantial, go anywhere offered vehicle, and for that such few, the Hummer H2 offers all the style of an armored personnel carrier and the offered abilities  to match. So if in your mind, the SUV bloom is alive and well, then I think you'll like the Hummer H2.

H2 Climbing A Rock, notice the Skidplates

First of all what is a Hummer H2? The H2 is an SUV and SUT that was marketed by Hummer and built by AM  General from 2002 to 2009. It is a large truck: slimmer than the Hummer H1, while being longer, lighter, and taller, with room for six or seven passengers (including driver). The rearmost part of the H2 SUV was modified to a Pickup Truck bed for the 2005 H2 SUT ("sport utility truck"). The Hummer H2 was the only one of the trucks to have the letters HUMMER between the grille. The H2 SUT is considered a pick-up truck for its abilities to haul cargo with an extendable box to reach 6 feet in length. This makes the SUT able to haul the same cargo most trucks can haul.

So back to the matter, its rugged looks (look at the picture above, see ruggedness na) and "go anywhere" capabilities will have you driving like we're still in 1999.


The H2 Cockpit
Lets talk about the H2 Interior, if you think a Plus Sized SUV should have a spacious interior then you may be disappointed with the Hummer H2, because despite its imposing size (the thing big die), the H2 interior feels cramped if you must compare it to other American SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and the Ford Expedition.

Not A Very Impressive Backseat Too

The H2's road manners are suprising, that is to say, not nearly as unweirdly as you might expect, on paved roads, when asked to turn, the "too large" SUV responds willingly and offers a respectable amount of grip. But where the Hummer impresses the most is away from paved roads, thats where it showcases it 4wd blah blah blah, lol.


The H2 bullying its way through mud

Given the Hummer's large size, squeezing through traffic or into tight parking spots can be tricky, a task made even harder by the h2 slim windows that makes driving the car feel a lot like commanding a World War 2 Aero-Playbox on wheels, lol.

One of my own favorite thing about the H2 is the front Skidplates (check the second picture in this article), it makes the H2 look even more aggressive (not that the car needs the help tho) and its functional, protecting the engines air transmission from unwanted substances like stones, sticks or anything else you might find yourself scraping over.


H2 backview with its spare tyres

I also like the fact that the H2's spare tyres is not stored inside the car's cargo area because it creates more room to carry an extra person or more cargo. A lot of car makers describe their products as BOLD, but its hard to top an SUV with a design borrowed directly from the US military HUMVEE troop carrier ( remember the topic says The car with a military background?). The H2 which is a civilian version taps into that history basically, with a square no-nonsense body, military inspired tow hooks, and a grill that is best described as erm, BOLD, lol a host of fake vents add to the "ready to invade" appearance.

The shape of the H2is distinct but its the Hummers size that drives the most attention, for good or bad, there is no better way to arrive in an H2.



The SUT version of the H2

For a slightly different appearance, you can try the Pick Up version of the H2 simply known as the H2 SUT (Sport Utility Truck). Among the H2s standard features, you have the power adjustable leather trimmed front seats, a BOSE audio system (that's what we use in our office too, lol), remote vehicle stunts and a dual zone automatic climate control.

On the list of standard safety equipments, you have the 4wheel Anti lock brakes, stability and traction control an airbags.

Other optional features include a rear camera, sun roof, rear entertainment system, 3rd row sitting, self leveling rear suspension and a navigation system with touch screen interface.

The H2's 393 Horsepower 6.2Litre V8 engine performs admirably, accelerating more than 3 tonnes of Hummer from 0-100km under 8seconds.

When the Hummer was first introduced, buyers from Naija pay as much as N60m to own one, thats cos by owning one, you're a real deal, when I used to stay in Amuwo Odofin, a man simply known as Zayd 1 owned one, oh boy, it was a sight to behold, and I loved the Hummer so much I was once called H2, but fast forward to 2016, with 2m you should be able to own one.

I hope you enjoyed my review on the Hummer H2, please fell free to share your views.

I'm Ladi Bentley, Goodnight.

2 comments:

  1. Poor ride quality, poor build quality, poor performance, poor economy, cheap materials (have you ever been inside one of these things? The leather is of the lowest quality) heavy, thirsty, I could carry on, the H2 was a success because of the image it gave it's driver. The car itself was rubbish. James Otis

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poor ride quality, poor build quality, poor performance, poor economy, cheap materials (have you ever been inside one of these things? The leather is of the lowest quality) heavy, thirsty, I could carry on, the H2 was a success because of the image it gave it's driver. The car itself was rubbish. James Otis

    ReplyDelete