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Duramax/Allison package
elevates HUMMER flagship to a whole new performance level They can go anywhere anytime. The big dog of HUMMER is quite formidable. But the only drawback with the biggest SUV on the road, the HUMMER H1, is it takes them a while to get there. Ask any H1 owner. They know all-too well that the typical road trip gives them plenty of time to enjoy the scenery because highway travel really strains the big SUV’s 6.5-liter turbo-diesel V8 and four-speed automatic. The engine’s 205 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque just doesn’t cut it for moving anywhere quickly except off-road. The 2006 HUMMER H1 Alpha is another story altogether. HUMMER is making a statement with a mix of a marketing strategy and high-performance thinking with the “Alpha” marquee. The Alpha badges on the new generation of HUMMERs arriving at dealers this April are the instant indicator the vehicle wearing the badge is HUMMER’s equivalent to the M-Series BMWs, V-series Cadillac’s, SS Chevrolets, and other performance-enhanced vehicle lines. Each is the crème-de-le-crème of performance and amenities within the brand.
At the heart of the H1 Alpha performance upgrade is the 6600 Duramax turbo-diesel (300hp/520 lb.ft) with an Allison 1000 five-speed automatic with overdrive and a “tow/haul” mode that features grade-braking. This is the very same engine and transmission package that graces the ’04 GM heavy-duty pickups. The big
jump in power (95hp) and torque (80 lb.-ft), coupled with the Allison’s
sweet-shifting five-speed, This should be music to the ears of those fortune(ate) 500 who buy H1s each year. No more searching for the slow lane pulling grades or waiting for a big gap in traffic when you head for the interstate on-ramp. Now a 7,500-pound H1 can rocket to 60mph in 13.5 seconds. (Don’t laugh; school buses accelerated faster than the old Hummer, which took an agonizing 17 seconds to reach highway speed limits.) Inserting the Duramax/Allison drivetrain into the H1 was no easy task. The engine package is a little larger then the version it replaces, so the body had to be lifted two inches to accommodate the upgrade.
Because the new engine and transmission produce a lot more heat than the old version, HUMMER engineers had another problem to solve: cooling. In the end they managed to shoehorn in more efficient oil cooling systems for the engine, transmission, power-steering and air-conditioning, as well as adding a fuel cooler. They also needed a place for the Duramax’s turbo intercooler. It all fit. Barely. Such lack
of room under the HUMMER hood is the only reason the engineers say they
didn’t put in the latest Other changes to the ’06 H1 Alpha include a huge four-inch exhaust; helical-cut gears in the wheels to eliminate that annoying road growl and rocking-horse feel at stops; better sound insulation that reduces interior noise by about 6dB; and larger main and auxiliary fuel tanks that now have a total capacity of 52.5 gallons, or 9.5 gallons more than the previous H1. Those using the H1 Alpha for those family vacations will find it has a 200-mile longer cruising range than its predecessor, which equates to about 570 miles between fill-ups figuring the Duramax will get an estimated highway fuel economy of 11.5 mpg.
The real disappointment, though, is it’s just like its military counterpart; the center seats in coach class on a commercial passenger jet are far more comfortable and physically have more room than those in the HUMMER. (Commercial airline seats in Economy Class average 31-inches wide; HUMMER Seats are 23 inches wide at the hips. Vaseline, anyone?)) One would think that an SUV that costs six-figures and is nearly eight-feet wide would have seating for four at least on par with what you’d get with a $199 airline ticket. Not happening. An area that has improved is towing. The Duramax/Allison package ups the H1 towing capacity to 9,500 pounds—or nearly 2,000 pounds more than the ’05 model. Now H1 owners can safely tow their 28-foot Scarabs to the lake without fear of holding up traffic other than the looky loo’s who’ll be staring with rapt envy. Along with the increased towing capability comes 12-inch disc brakes (10.7 on H1), which brings the big H1 Alpha to a rapid halt. And the familiar rocking-horse feel after a HUMMER stops is no longer there thanks to the new helical-cut reduction drive-gear sets in the wheels. Along with the body lift, boost in power, and better brakes, HUMMER Alphas also have a much higher price tag. While a
2005 H1 will set you back a cool $115,000-plus for nice one, the ’06 H1
Alpha will require a nice If you want to look even cooler and be nearly unstoppable off-road, get the Off Road Adventure package—a $5,726 option. The package fits the H1 Alpha with a 12,000-pound Warn winch, 17-inch two-piece aluminum wheels with bead locks, GoodYear GSA tire, and front and rear Eaton electric locking differentials. Set up that way an H1 Alpha would top $140,000. Of course, that’s an insignificant amount to those that can afford such a SUV. In fact, a number of H1 owners have already pre-ordered their Alpha model just for the satisfaction of knowing there’s not another H1 around that can keep pace—unless, of course, it’s another Alpha model.—Bruce W. Smith HUMMER H1 ALPHA Models: 4-door Wagon; 4-Door Open Top MSRP: $126,185 base open-top; H1 base hard-top $137,508. Seating: 2 / 2 Engine: 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel Horsepower: 300hp @ 3,000rpm Torque: 520 lb.-ft @ 1,500rpm Transmission: Allison 1000 5-speed w/ OD Transfer case: full-time 4WD; New Venture 242 Wheel drive: 1.92:1 Suspension: Independent Turning diameter: 51 ft Brakes: 4-wheel disc Tires: Goodyear GSA or MT/R 37x12.50R17LT Curb weight: 7,213 lbs (Open Top) ; 7,558 lbs. (Wagon) GCWR: 17,300 lbs Fuel capacity: 29.5 gals. (main)/ 22 gals (aux.)
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ALPHA
DOG
Beginning
with the 2006 models, all H1s will be Alpha models. In coming years a few
H2s and H3s will also be designated Alpha models. All will tout
performance well above their non-Alpha stablemates.
actually gives the 3-1/2-ton ’06 H1 a sportiness akin to driving a
Suburban with a big-block.
The
engine also had to have the oil pan shortened and baffled so it would be
above the frame rails and full under carriage skid plates, all the while
providing good oiling when the HUMMER is crawling up those 60-degree
inclines and along 40-degree sidehills. 
and more powerful model Duramax. The beefier model, which is found in the
2005 GM pickups, just couldn’t be kept cool enough in the current H1
configuration. 
What
family-oriented H1 Alpha owners will not find improved is the interior. It
retains the same “upscale” dash and trim treatments as the 2004 models.
year-end company bonus to off-set its $126,185 base price tag. Get the
hardtop and you’ll spend $137,508.