Green Brits will be happy to know (…) that the Hummer brand has been officially launched in the UK. The first right-hand drive (RHD) Hummer to go on sale is the H3 which is initially available with a five-cylinder inline 3.7-litre VORTEC petrol engine that delivers 244bhp. The newest addition to the “Chelsea tractors” line-up (dubbed after the fashionable part of London that loves brassy SUVs) has a starting price of £26,495 ($54,000 or €38,000). -Full press release & pics after the jump

HUMMER’S HERE – AND IT’S LIKE NOTHING ELSE!

• HUMMER now officially on sale in the UK
• H3 available in right-hand drive
• Prices from £26,495

One of the world’s most legendary four-wheel drive brands has finally arrived in the UK, and it’s like nothing else on, or off, the road.

The right-hand drive HUMMER H3 spearheads the launch of GM’s premium SUV brand to the UK market, having been designed and developed from the outset to appeal to a truly global audience.

Smaller and more agile than the larger H1 and H2 models, the South African-built H3 is the HUMMER designed with Europe in mind – and with prices starting at just £26,495, it’s great value, too.

With permanent full-time four-wheel drive, a two-ratio transfer gearbox, traction control and HUMMER’s patented StabiliTrack Stability Enhancement System on all models, the H3 is a sure-footed choice for those seeking a vehicle that is just as much about action as it is about expressing the HUMMER brand’s iconic style. Indeed, the H3 is one of the most capable off-road vehicles on the market today.

At launch, three trim levels are available – the SE, Adventure and Luxury. All come with a comprehensive standard equipment list including air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking, a six-speaker stereo system, cruise control and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror with eight-point compass and temperature display.

Adventure models add heated power-adjustable seats, a leather appointed interior, an off-road suspension package, full-locking central rear differential, a chrome appearance package and a seven-speaker stereo system, making it perfect for those who want to take their HUMMER a little further off the beaten track.

For those who want a more cosseting HUMMER, the Luxury model comes with leather appointed interior, eight-way power adjustable heated seats, 16x7.5in chrome wheels, chrome side steps, hood louvre and roof bars and a seven-speaker sound system. A comprehensive range of options is available for all models.

Initially, all H3s will be offered with HUMMER’s unique five-cylinder inline 3.7-litre VORTEC petrol engine. The 244bhp unit was designed specifically for the H3 and offers an impressive 328Nm of torque, giving the car excellent flexibility in even the most challenging of conditions. Two transmissions are on offer – a five speed manual or a four-speed GM Hydra-Matic auto. Biofuel and Diesel H3s will follow within three years.

The H3 is officially on sale from September 1 at the UK’s first official HUMMER retailer, Bauer Millett in Manchester, as well as sites at Park Lane in London and in Birmingham. Further HUMMER outlets will open shortly, and will be publicised on the “Hummer” website.

ENDS

Model	Transmission	Price
SE	5-spd manual	£26,495
SE	4-spd auto	£27,995
Adventure	5-spd manual	£30,495
Adventure	4-spd auto	£31,995
Luxury	5-spd manual	£31,495
Luxury	4-spd auto	£32,995

Technical Specifications

ENGINE
TYPE: Vortec 3700 3.7L
PERFORMANCE: kW/hp/rpm 180/244/5600
TORQUE: 328Nm @ 4600 rpm
GOVERNOR TYPE: Multi-point sequential fuel injection
DISPLACEMENT: 3653 cc
BORE AND STROKE: 95.5mm x 102mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.0:1
CRAWL RATIO:
BASE VEHICLE: 45.1:1 ADVENTURE: WITH OFF-ROAD SUSPENSION: 68.9:1
TRANSMISSION
Standard 5-speed manual or optional Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic
DRIVETRAIN
2-speed, electronically controlled, full-time 4WD
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
Brake-controlled, single-wheel control capability with rear axle electronic locking differential
STEERING
Power-assisted, rack-and-pinion, with tri-bushing mount design
BRAKES
Electro-hydraulic power 4-wheel disc, 4-wheel anti-lock, 4-piston opposed fixed front calliper /single-piston sliding rear calliper with Dynamic Rear Proportioning
FRONT SUSPENSION
Independent SLA torsion bars, 46mm monotube gas-charged shocks and
36mm tubular stabiliser bar
REAR SUSPENSION
Multi-leaf, semi-elliptic dual-stage leaf spring, 46mm monotube gas-charged
shocks and 25mm rear stabiliser bar
FRAME
Fully welded steel
WHEELS & TYRES
16in x 7.5in aluminium wheels, P265/75R16 all-terrain tyres with full-size spare
OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE
TURNING CIRCLE: 11.3m
GRADE CAPABILITY: 60%
SIDE SLOPE CAPABILITY: 40%
WADING DEPTH: 610mm @ 5 mph; 407mm @ 20 mph
VERTICAL STEP HEIGHT: 407mm
FUEL CONSUMPTION (mpg)
Urban: Manual / Automatic 15.3 / 15.1
Extra -urban: Manual / Automatic 25.6 / 23.3
Combined: Manual / Automatic 20.4 / 19.5
CO₂ EMISSIONs (g/km)
Manual / Automatic 327 / 346