No Road, No Problem

In the red rocks, canyons and serious terrain of Moab, UT, an off-roading mecca, the Hummer H2 SUT (sport/utility truck) is a very practical vehicle.

A day of crawling up and down trails with names such as Hell's Revenge proved little match for this latest member of General Motors Corp.'s Hummer family. Like the H2 SUV with which the SUT shares its architecture, the short overhang is a must on a downslope that elicits a sharp intake of breath in that split second before the eyes verify there is terra firma for the landing.

While the SUV established the niche, the 4-door SUT is designed to expand it (and account for about 30% of the H2 mix). Engineers were entrusted to ensure nothing was downgraded. Off-road capability is reinforced with a clean underbody and the SUT's 10 ins. (25 cm) of ground clearance.

The independent torsion-bar front suspension, with monotube gas-charged shock absorbers and front stabilizer bar, coupled with a 5-link, air-spring rear suspension, allow the entire truck to pivot over a rock. The suspension twists like a pretzel, and the wheels perform at sickening angles on unforgiving rock faces.

Engineers made sure the sideview mirrors can pivot to see when the rear wheels drop. When the transfer case is in low-lock position, the press of a button locks the rear differential for traction when climbing large rocks or long, steep grades.

The 6L V-8 provides the low-end torque necessary for off-road. On-road, its 325 horses adequately propel 6,400 lbs. (2,909 kg) of sheet metal. Wind noise is inevitable, and the SUT gets about 12 mpg (19.6L/100 km), GM says. The weight excludes the H2 from reporting official fuel economy numbers.

With an ample GM parts bin to raid, Hummer officials could have dummied down the H2, but they didn't. They chose the 4L65-E 4-speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox from the Yukon Denali and beefed up the 5-link non-independent rear suspension from GM's fullsize SUVs.

The differences between the SUV and SUT start at the patented Midgate collapsible bulkhead system that folds down to create a 4 ft.-by-6 ft. (1.2m-by-1.8m) pickup bed. A locking hard tonneau cover is expected to be a popular option.

The SUV also benefits from such upgrades as the air suspension on the SUT, now optional on the SUV. A base model SUT with coil springs also is available.

Inside, the 2-tone center console is well done and includes an optional touch-screen navigation/audio system. Unfor-tunately, no one has come up with an off-road trail DVD map to plug in, yet.

For $52,845 (including destination charge) for a base model and $56,585 for the Luxury Series, buyers rough it with heated leather seats and side mirrors and air conditioning. GM expects to sell about 8,000 units in the first year. If the initial response to the SUV is any indication, it will be an obstacle easily overcome by the SUT.

'05 Hummer H2 SUT

Vehicle type: Front-engine, 4-wheel drive, 5-passenger 4-door SUV

Engine: 6L (5,967 cc) OHV V-8, iron block/aluminum heads

Power (SAE net): 325 hp @ 5,200 rpm

Torque: 365 lb.-ft. (495 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm

Compression ratio: 9.4:1

Bore × stroke (mm): 101.6 × 92

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 122.8 ins. (312 cm)

Overall length: 203.5 ins. (517 cm)

Overall width: 81.2 ins. (206 cm)

Overall height: 78.5 ins. (198 cm)

Curb weight: 6,400 lbs. (2,909 kg)

Market competition: Land Rover Range Rover; Mercedes G-Class; Toyota Land Cruiser