The Hummer H1 was a full-size SUV that existed from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s. Heavy vehicle manufacturer AM General made the vehicle as the civilian version of the Humvee, a military four-wheel drive vehicle. GM bought the rights to the Hummer name in 1999, and thus oversaw the SUV's last years of production. The Hummer H1 eventually became the first series of the Hummer line of vehicles.
Production
The Hummer H1's debut model year was 1992. It had three generations of production: 1992 to 1995, 1996 to 2004, and 2006 (there were no Hummers for the 2005 model year). The Hummer received its "H1" designation when GM introduced the slightly smaller Hummer H2 in 2003 (The mid-size SUV version, the Hummer H3, arrived in 2005). The H1 was a limited-production vehicle, with only 12,000 put on the road during its entire manufacturing run.
Main Features
The Hummer H1 was best known for its massive size; it weighed more than 7,000 lbs. The V8 engines were usually within the 6-liter range, paired with standard automatic transmissions. GM installed an on-board tire-inflation system to "air down" the tires for rough terrain and pump air back in for on-road driving.
Reception
Acclaimed for its imposing, rugged build and performance, the Hummer H1 eventually became a popular vehicle among entertainers and sports figures. Its last model-year entry, rechristened as the H1 Alpha, is particularly high valued for its more powerful engine, additional transmission gear and bigger brakes. The H1, however, gained notoriety for its gas guzzling, six-figure price tag and its awkwardness as a daily transportation vehicle due to its large size.
Discontinuation
In 2006, GM halted production of the Hummer H1. Many people suspected its poor fuel economy as the main reason for its discontinuation. GM, however, claimed that they wanted to focus on the other Hummer vehicles, which they felt had wider appeal. Ironically, the Hummer H2 and H3 had better gas mileage than the H1.
Price
The original manufacturer's suggested retail price range for the Hummer H1 was within the $90,000s to the low $130,000s, making it the most expensive of all the Hummer versions. As of April 2010, Kelley Blue Book estimates the price value range at around the high $40,000s to the mid-$90,000s.
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