It won't fit in my garage. It guzzles gas. It's completely impractical. And I can't afford one. Yep, I think a 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha qualifies for Dream Car Corner.
Mostly, I'm just attracted to its purity. Unlike the H2 or H3, the H1 wasn't compromised to be decent on the street. It was just a truck one step removed from military service. The 2006 model year was also when GM finally addressed many of the H1's shortcomings. And then production stopped. Call it the Pontiac Fiero syndrome -- as soon as it's finally good, let's kill it!
The 2006 version of the H1 was called "Alpha" for the many upgrades it received. Under the hood was a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 good for 300 horsepower, nearly 50 percent more than the previous 6.5-liter diesel. Torque also rose to 520 pound-feet. It still wasn't quick -- Hummer estimated a 0-60 time of 13.5 seconds for this nearly 4-ton truck -- but it wasn't a complete slug, either. There was also a new five-speed automatic transmission (with a 45:1 crawl ratio), stronger brakes, stronger axle and hub components and a higher ground clearance.
According to sales data, GM sold just 365 Hummer H1 Alphas. Edmunds TMV is around $90,000, which is a lot. But it's been holding its value fairly well; MSRP in 2006 was $137,508 for the hard-top version.
As soon as I have my own ranch and a spare 100 grand, I'm totally getting one.
Inside Line 2006 Hummer H1 First Drive
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
By seppoboy
on November 4, 2010
06:29 AM
The H1 was the only Hummer that ever made any sense to me. H2 was just a restyled Tahoe underneath, although it did have improved offroad capabilities, and the H3 was wretched. Hummer as a brand never made a good business case because the need for H1's capabilities made for a small market. And brand extension through offshoots like H2 and H3 just led to some bad vehicles competing in the fad/style segment for a couple of years before they go out of style.
By firstwagon
on November 4, 2010
08:22 PM
I agree. The H1 was a great truck. The fact that idiots decided to use it as some sort of bizzare luxury status symbol isn't the fault of the H1.
By yash24
on November 11, 2010
01:50 AM
If we see selling point of view then it has more power, better fuel economy, added refinement. And it has deal breakers: Too big, too loud, too impractical, too pricey. According to me 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha might be the ultimate SUV, but in the real world it’s little more than an expensive toy.
http://www.carsbyownerinusa.com/browse_by_make_model.php?MID=HUMMER
By yash24
on November 11, 2010
01:52 AM
If we see selling point of view then it has more power, better fuel economy, added refinement. And it has deal breakers: Too big, too loud, too impractical, too pricey. According to me 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha might be the ultimate SUV, but in the real world it’s little more than an expensive toy.
http://www.carsbyownerinusa.com/browse_by_make_model.php?MID=HUMMER