Hummer H2 SUT: Ultimate Truck with Real Attitude
By: BJ Killeen Posted: 11-04-03 22:00

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For the first time, General Motors introduced a production vehicle at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, and it was big news…really big news. The Hummer SUT in production form made its debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it's everything a pickup should be: big, powerful, and practical.

The 2005 H2 SUT is slated to go on sale next summer, and will be the first spinoff from the popular H2 SUV. The SUT features seating for five comfortably in an enclosed cabin, but when it's time to carry cargo, the H2 goes into action, utilizing the fold-down Midgate design first seen in the Chevy Avalanche. With the Midgate up, the SUT offers 22 cubic feet of cargo capacity; with the gate down, the H2 SUT can transport 52.7 cubic feet of stuff, and we mean stuff, like bikes, 4x8 sheets of plywood, and all the camping gear you can carry. The second row of seats fold in a 60/40 split configuration, but both seats need to be folded to work the Midgate design.

One of the new innovations in the SUT is the "global express" window opening feature, which lowers all four side windows and the rear windows with the push of a button. It also raises them as well when the exterior temperature drops below comfortable.

In keeping with the upscale appearance of the Hummer, the SUT production model features luxury touches like leather seats with heat, leather trim on the console, and aluminum appearance on the sill plates. There's also an available touch screen navigation system, as well as available XM satellite radio.

The biggest difference between the SUV and the SUT is the cargo area, where the spare tire is attached on a swing-away bar to allow the back tailgate to drop completely. The beefy tires are 17-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/As on 7-spoke alloy wheels.

Under the hood is the 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 V-8 that delivers 316 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 360 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. The 6-liter is mated to a heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4L65E 4-speed automatic transmission. It also features the unmatched four-wheel-drive system that includes five operational modes and a two-speed planetary gearset to the ultimate in off-road capability.

Part of the reason GM introduced the vehicle at the SEMA show was because the SUT will offer almost a dozen accessories for personalization, including chrome-plated stainless steel tubular steps, aluminum roof rail handles, stainless steel chrome brush guard, hood handles and hood latches, and a chrome fuel door with the Hummer logo.

No prices have been set yet, but since the SUT plays in the large luxury truck segment alongside the Cadillac Escalade EXT, Lincoln Navigator, and Range Rover, money usually is no object. And sales are guaranteed to be brisk, if the H2 SUV is any indication, recently coming off its best sales month in October, with 3072 units sold. Those numbers are good enough to make it the leader in its segment.

Built in Mishawaka, Indiana, the SUT is the most aggressive and most capable truck on the planet. It might be time for the other manufacturers to concede the throne.

Hummer H2 SUT Specs:
Hummer H2 Sport Utility truck (SUT)
4-door hardtop, 4WD

Engine:
Vortec 6000 6.0-liter OHVV-8
364 ci
5967 cc
4.00 x 3.62 bore x stroke
Cast iron block, cast aluminum heads
Compression ratio: 9.4:1
Hp: 316@5200
Torque: 360@ 3600

Transmission:
Hydra-matic 4L65-E 4-speed electronically controlled automatic
1st 3.06
2nd 1.62
3rd 1.00
4th 0.69
Reverse: 2029
Final drive: 4.10
Stall ratio: 1.90
Low range lock gear reduction: 2.64
Crawl ratio: 33:1

Chassis/Suspension:
Front: Independent with torsion bars, 46mm monotube gas shocks, 36mm front stabilizer bar
Reaer: 5-link variable-rate self-leveling air spring; 46mm monotube gas shocks, 32mm stabilizer bar

Traction control:
Brake controlled, single-wheel control capability with rear axle locking differential

Variable ratio integral power; recirculating ball steering
Steering ratio: varible 15 / 13:1
Steering wheel turns lock to lock: 3
Turning diameter, curb to curb: 43.5 feet

Brakes:
4-wheel disc, 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS, dual piston calipers with Dynamic Rear Proportioning
Rotor diameter: front 12.8 x 1.5
Rear: 13 x 1.14

Wheels/tires:
17-inch cast aluminum
LT315/70R17 all-terrain

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 122.8
Overall length: 203.5
Overal width: 81.2
Overall hieght: w/o roof rack: 78,5; with roof rack: 81.2
Track, F/R: 69.4/69.4
Min. ground clearance: 10 in
Curb weight: 6400 lb
Std, GVWR 8600 lb

Interior:
Seating 2/3
Headroom F/R: 40.5/39.7
Legroom F/R: 41.3/38.6
Shoulder room F/R: 66.4/66.3
Hip room F/R: 63.7/62.0

Cargo box:
Box length at floor (Midgate up): 34.7 in.
Box length at floor (Midgate down): 72.8
Box width at top: 59.0 in.
Box width between wheelhouses: 47.3
Tailgate width: 51.4
Box height (inside) 20.0
Cargo volume Midgate up: 22.0
Cargo volume, Midgae down: 52.7 cu ft

Capacities:
Interior cargo volume, 30.7 cu ft (2nd seat folded)
Trailer towing max: 6500 lb
Fuel capacity: 32 gal
Engine oil: 6.0 qt
Cooling system: 16.8 qt

Performance data: MFR specs:
Cruising range: 310 miles
Grade capability: 60%
Side slope capability: 40%
Approach angle: 42.8%
Departure angle: 36.5 (with spare tire carrier) 39.0 (without carrier)
42.1 to 43.4 degree extended ride height with/without carrier
Ramp breakover angle: 25.8 degrees (coil) 26.6 (air)
Axle differential to ground (9.9 in.)
Fording depth (20 in.)

Editor's note: Additional photos of the Hummer H2 SUT from the 2003 SEMA Show are available in our photo gallery.

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