2008 HUMMER H2

A twenty-percent horsepower increase comes courtesy of the Cadillac Escalade's 6.2-liter aluminum V-8. Here, it's good for 393 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The big Caddy's six-speed automatic is also carried over, and the combination makes this, in Hummer general manager Martin Walsh's words, "one of those rare instances where enhanced performance is matched with improved efficiency." Funny, we thought that was called "engineering." Towing capacity is also up 1,500 pounds, meaning that the H2 can now tow 8,000 pounds.

Still based on its own unique and upgraded version of the GMT-800 platform (like the '08 Silverado/Sierra HDs), the H2 retains its heavy-duty coil-sprung, multilink rear axle

As with the previous models, the H2 is a road-trip machine, chewing up miles of pavement effortlessly with a smooth ride and even more comfortable seats.

While we probably would have been satisfied with just an interior upgrade, Hummer also wanted to answer our concerns of power and economy for the H2, so they replaced the previous 325hp 6.0L OHV V-8 with the 6.2L OHV V-8 from the Escalade, backing it up with the same excellent 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission, which nets the Hummer 393 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with the bonus of an approximately 10 percent boost in fuel economy. This drivetrain really gets the 6,600-pound H2 moving, as GM estimates 0-60 mph to be about 7.8 seconds, while the tow rating has also been improved considerably, by 1,500 pounds, to 8,000.

HUMMER announced the 2008 H2, with a completely redesigned, more refined interior that combines luxury with HUMMER's legendary ruggedness; enhanced safety features and a more powerful engine that is coupled with a new, six-speed automatic transmission.

The new powertrain combination consists of a 6.2L all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine, rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW)* - an increase of about 20 percent over the previous engine - and a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission.

While drivers will feel the '08 H2's improved performance on the road, they'll appreciate it more while experiencing it in the all-new interior.

The heart of the '08 H2 is a new, 6.2L V-8 engine that uses variable valve timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency.

As good as the interior is, the most welcome addition is the all-new, all-aluminum 393-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 and Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

The new transmission has a lower first gear (4.02:1) as well as what effectively works out to be two different overdrive gears, with the top gear of 0.66:1 allowing for relatively low highway cruising rpm.

As to fuel economy, this is the last year vehicles of this size and weight will be allowed exemption from EPA numbers, but the H2 gave us 13 mpg combined-expect around 12 city/18 highway.

The H2 gets several new safety features as well, not the least of which is a head-curtain airbag for all three rows of passengers, directly tied into a new rollover mitigation system. Belt pretensioners, electronic stability control, a new traction-control system, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system are all standard.