The VORTEX2 Project's built themselves a rig out of a Hummer H3T in order to gather data for tornado research, which will ultimately lay the ground work for a new tornado warning system. Think of it as a real-life version of Bill Paxton's character's Dodge Ram pickup and the "Dorothy" sensor pod package from the movie Twister.

According to radar expert and long-time tornado researcher, Dr. Joshua Wurman; "Nobody really knows for certain yet what happens inside a tornado, the best way to learn is to measure conditions with sensors in pods and stick pods." The sensor pods that have been developed for reading a tornado's strength will need a heavy duty vehicle that can get them close enough to the action and in the storm chaser's mind, there's no better vehicle choice than the recently released Hummer H3T.

They've chosen to use the H3T for a number of reasons. First, the vehicle's almost vertical-oriented windshield and small side glass makes it less susceptible to large hail, dust and debris thrown around by a tornado. Second, the high ground clearance, front/rear locking hubs and four-wheel-drive system allows the truck to ford a 24-inch flood as well as navigate debris ridden back roads; a necessity when chasing a large storm.

The VORTEX2 team built a commercial marine-grade plywood covered, 1.75-inch square steel tube frame into the bed of the H3T to house the tornado sensor pods with a DiamondBack bed cover to help protect it all from severe weather. They've also outfitted the H3T with an advanced communications system featuring a radio tracking system, three GPS receivers, two cellular transmitters and serial cables connected to the pod box which allow meteorologists to download all of the data recovered from a chase via two laptops located in the interior of the truck.

This sounds like a pretty serious rig and we're looking forward to finding out how the data acquired will be used. And to think, Hummer might be dead in a matter of months. [via Hummer Storm Chaser]

The robots-in-disguise fan-boys at the Transformer Live Action Movie Blog have snapped some close-up pictures of the Hummer HX concept taken at the San Pedro, California set for the new Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie due out next summer. Also spotted was a Hummer H3T decked out with the same kind of "NEST" decals as the HX. Want to see the shot in higher resolution? Click here. [Transformers Live Action Movie Blog]

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: Yes
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: Yes
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
• Nissan Frontier
• Toyota Tundra
• Ford Explorer Sport Trac
• Chevy Silverado

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Hummer
• Model tested: H3T Alpha
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $N/A
• Price as Tested: $N/A
• Engine type: 5.3 Liter OHV V-8
• Horsepower: 300 @ 5,200 RPM*
• Torque: 320lb/ft @ 4,000 RPM*
• Red Line: 6,000 RPM
• Transmission: Hydra-Matic 4L60 4-Speed Automatic
• Curb Weight: 4,850 lbs
• LxWxH: 210.3" x 85.1" x 72.2"
• Wheelbase: 134.2"
• Tires: 33" 285/75 R16
• Drive type: 4WD
• 0 - 60 mph: Approx 8 seconds
• 1/4-mile: N/A seconds
• Top speed: 98 MPH
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: N/A
• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

*Pending SAE certification

– Curtis Walker

Also see:

• 2009 Hummer H3T Alpha, Part One

• 2009 Hummer H3T Alpha, Part Two

Acceleration: ***
4.10 gears get these 2.5 tons of steel and plastic up and moving. It's not gonna blow anyone's doors off, but it does what it needs to in traffic.

Braking: ****
Big discs at each corner slow this thing down in a hurry, and the dynamic rear proportioning should keep the rubber rolling in the back regardless of load. There's no handbrake present, and that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The vehicle will automatically engage brakes if it rolls backwards for 2 seconds, but a handbrake would have felt more natural.

Ride: **
Bouncy and truckish, but this is a pre-production model, so lets hope it gets smoothed out by the time it reaches showroom floors.

Handling: ***
Given the ride height and center of gravity, this thing actually handles pretty well. The massive sway bars in the front and back help cornering a lot and the new steering gearing (16:1, 3 1/8 lock-to-lock) made parking and general driving pretty easy.

Gearbox: ****
Its 50:1 crawl ratio and 4.03 low range lock make downhill grades virtually brake free and let the 4-speed HydraMatic do all the work, keeping 2.5 tons under control. Highway shifting is silky smooth.

Audio: **
The speakers are fine and amplification is decent, but where's the iPod jack? XM is great and all, but c'mon, even Aveo's have an AUX input jack these days. It can't cost that much to implement this, so it just seems like an annoying oversight.

Toys: ***
The nav/entertainment system is nice, but throws a distracting glare into the back window. The pushbutton 4x4 controls are easy to read and conveniently located above the radio. Monochrome reverse vision seems a bit dated, but probably gives a better image in low light situations. The sunroof improves off-road visibility, especially when crawling down steep grades. OnStar and XM are nice doodads as well, at least for the free trial periods.

Value: N/A
Can't really call this one until pricing is announced, but there's bound to be a premium on the Hummer brand.

Overall: **
Probably the most complete vehicle in the Hummer range, the H3T improves on its relatives' best attributes — off-road ability and macho styling — but still suffers from the same problems - 'roid rage styling and enormous dimensions for relatively little storage space. A plain old pickup would be cheaper and more practical. Still, if you must have a Hummer, this is the one to get.

– Curtis Walker

Also see:

• 2009 Hummer H3T Alpha, Part One

Getting a chance to off-road a Hummer is a special treat, and doing it in on the "Hell's Revenge" trail in Moab, UT is nothing short of heaven. The trail is noted for its diverse conditions including slickrock, sand, dramatic inclines and tilts and is rated a 4 out of 4 for difficulty. Getting there was half the fun, as our route took us down the winding Utah State Highway 128 that hugs the Colorado River through Castle Valley.

This is the Alpha version, which means it's outfitted with the 300HP, 5.3-liter V8, instead of the inline-five on the base model. The wheels are 16" split rims with 33" BF Goodrich tires for extra off-road capability. Leather seats, body match painted grille, sunroof, roof lights, reverse cam, nav system and power everything round out the options package. Protective plates are fitted underneath the truck to help keep the most vulnerable parts intact. Offered as a standard package, the four shields protect the front, oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank.

The really surprising thing about the H3T is its innate ability to tackle off-road trails. Despite its Hot Wheels looks, it's actually a completely capable vehicle off-road, even with its relatively long wheelbase. When put into Crawl Mode the holding power of the gears and engine braking are enough to keep the vehicle under control on grades up to 60%. The limited-slip differentials negated the need to lock the differentials on all but the toughest of obstacles. The 4.10 final drive ratio provides plenty of get up and go, too. Ground clearance was adequate, but the frame took more than a few good knocks during the day. During an obstacle called Hell's Gate, the truck wound up losing footing and tipping the passenger side into the cliff face, but the tires kept any of the side panels from getting damaged and allowed the Hummer to climb right out of the hole.

On the highway, acceleration is healthy. Driving on 128, along the Colorado River, the H3T felt a lot like a truck. I could feel the tar snakes and bumps in the uneven pavement. Because of the height of the driving position, 60 mph feels more like 45, even with the bouncy ride. The cabin is well-insulated from road noise. The windshield is far enough away to almost give the impression of watching a flat panel TV. Finding reference points for correct lane placement took a few minutes, as in any new car, but I never did get quite comfortable enough to loosen up on my concentration on a two-lane highway. The feeling of dissociation probably fades as one racks up the miles, but there definitely seems to be a learning curve.

On the inside, there weren't any rattles, on or off the highway. The doors are solid and heavy, and do their part to eat road noise. The leather, heated, power, tilt bucket seats are nothing short of awesome. Absolutely comfortable and luxurious, but also practical and solid. Control positioning is all within reach and placed where one would expect to find things on a domestic car. The dash lighting scheme has a bit of thought behind it, and it looks great behind the analog/digital combo instrument panel. Fortunately, the design team toned down the chrome to a subtle brushed-aluminum flashing on the entertainment and climate control portion of the dash. One problem with the placement of the entertainment/nav system is that it creates a distracting reflection in the flat glass of the rear window, making rear view mirror use a bit tough at night. Fortunately, there's a rear vision system with camera built into the bumper and screen built into the rear view mirror. Which at least helps when you're reversing around a parking lot.

The results speak for themselves: after a day of abuse from novice and amateur alike, there wasn't much battle damage and nothing broke. Apart from some scuffed underbelly armor, chaffed tires and a bucket or two of dust, the Hummer looked like it'd just come back from the grocery store.

– Curtis Walker

Curiously, Mark forgets his magazine landed not only in subscribers hands, but also on newsstands ten days early. But his warm and folksy explanation for it (something about two people giving it to two people who gave it to two people who had nothing to do with two people buying it at newsstands on diametrically opposite sides of the country) leaves us feeling like he's just a simple country boy who doesn't understand the series of tubes that are the interwebs. But that lack-of-understanding falls as flat as his attempt to pivot Truck Trend into the populist position of "little guy" to the blogosphere's "big boys" (Dude, you're a magazine — printed on paper with ink. Your tagline is "The Pickup and SUV Authority" and we bet you've got an office with a desk and a door and a real chair! Have we mentioned how much our backs hurt?).

But we'll not quibble with such trivial details. Instead, we're just happy we've been officially vindicated as the "embargo breakers" of automotive media. But one thing's certain for us after reading Mark's commentary — this buff mag addiction to embargoes is in dire need of a 12-step program. Luckily, Motor Trend has a long-haired leader with more journalistic integrity in his little finger than we've got in our entire bodies. We're sure he'll be the first to man up and make a call to action for his magazine going cold turkey. Remember, the first step is admitting you have a problem. In fact, we're already refreshing Motor Trend's blog, anxiously awaiting an opus from Angus Mackenzie following in lock-step with our arguments we've already made on the embargo issue and the anti-embargo comments made by AutoWeek's Dutch Mandel. Yup, any minute now — click, click, click, click... [Truck Trend]

2009 Hummer H3T Press Release

HUMMER is bringing its unmistakable style and unmatched capability to the truck market with the 2009 H3T. It is based on the architecture of the popular H3, but features a five-passenger crew cab and a separate five-foot-long (1.5 meters) bed.

The H3T is bigger than a midsize truck and smaller than a full-size truck, creating its own niche in the market. It also is infused with the attributes expected of a HUMMER, including exceptional off-road capability and a premium interior that is as functional as it is comfortable.

"With its unique size and HUMMER traits, the H3T is ideal for the customer who works hard and plays harder," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "It offers the combination of truck versatility and HUMMER off-road prowess."

In addition to its segment-defying size, the H3T also stands apart from other trucks with its signature HUMMER off-road capability. It is the only midsize truck to come standard with full-time four-wheel drive, 32-inch tires and functional skid shields. It also is the only midsize truck to offer front and rear locking differentials, as well as 33-inch tires - and the V-8-powered H3T Alpha can tow up to 5,900 pounds (2,676 kg).

The H3T is offered in four trim levels, including five-cylinder models and the popular, V-8-powered H3T Alpha edition. Production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2008 at GM's Shreveport, La., assembly plant, with vehicles arriving at HUMMER dealerships shortly thereafter. HUMMER will sell the H3T in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Design

Like all HUMMER models, the H3T has a purposeful design, consistent and iconic styling cues, including a wide, aggressive stance; a low roofline and high beltline; and large, off-road tires. The wide, seven-slot grille and round headlamps mounted in square housings are signature HUMMER design elements.

"Form following function is at the core of HUMMER's design philosophy and the H3T's capability reflects that mantra," said Carl Zipfel, HUMMER director of design and former motocross professional. "It has a distinctive look that could be mistaken for nothing except a HUMMER - and it also has the functionality to get the driver to and from the trail in style."

The crew cab body shares H3 styling and components from the B-pillar forward, while the rear section of the cab and the separate bed are unique to the H3T. The five-foot bed is similar in design and function to GM's recently redesigned full-size trucks, including an easily removable tailgate and provisions for a bed-rail accessory system. A full-size spare tire is mounted beneath the bed.

The bed is sized to carry a wide range of popular outdoor necessities, from hauling motocross bikes to Baja, a quad to camp or backcountry gear to the trailhead. One of the industry's largest portfolios of accessories complements the H3T's bed, offering different cargo management options to complement all of those lifestyle interests.

One of the industry's broadest portfolios of vehicle accessories has been developed for the H3T. Centered on active lifestyles, items such as removable and lockable bed-mounted storage boxes; an adjustable bike chock that can be used to help secure mountain bikes or motorcycles; and a bed extender make full use of the standard bed-rail cargo management system. A range of additional accessories that improves off-road capabilities, provides passenger entertainment and enhances exterior styling is also available. There are more than 75 HUMMER Genuine Accessories offered.

In addition to the factory-developed accessory portfolio, HUMMER has partnered with top automotive aftermarket companies to develop more than 50 Officially Licensed HUMMER Accessories - a first for the brand. A variety of exterior enhancements, such as a Slant Back Bed Cover, hard tonneau covers and a winch are offered, along with cargo management solutions such as the BedSlide and bed divider, offering countless possibilities to personalize the H3T.

Interior

The H3T's crew cab cabin offers seating for five adults, with a 60/40-split rear bench seat that folds flat for increased cargo-carrying options. The cabin's layout is essentially identical to the acclaimed H3 SUV, with premium materials and attention to detail that give the vehicle a functional yet refined aesthetic.

Standard amenities also include air conditioning, power locks, power windows and remote keyless entry. An AM/FM radio with CD is standard and a premium Monsoon audio system is available. XM Satellite Radio also is standard and includes three months of trial service.

HUMMER's Rear Vision system and a navigation system are available. The Rear Vision system uses a camera mounted on the rear bumper, directly above the trailer hitch mount, to provide a view of objects directly behind the vehicle. Also, the safety and security of OnStar is standard, with Turn-By-Turn Navigation and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity available.

Powertrain

Standard in the H3T is the Vortec 3.7L I-5 with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. This inline five-cylinder engine offers an excellent combination of power and efficiency, delivering 242 horsepower (180 kW) at 5600 rpm* and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (328 Nm) at 4600 rpm. It is backed by a five-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed, electronically controlled automatic.

The H3T Alpha's 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of GM's legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 300 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. An aluminum cylinder block is used with the H3 Alpha's engine. It helps reduce overall mass and maintains a more desirable front-to-rear weight balance.

A Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the 5.3L engine. Flat towing is enabled on all H3 and H3T models.

Chassis

The H3T's frame and suspension system are based on a stretched version of the H3 SUV's chassis and suspension - the same race-proven design found on Baja 1000-winning stock-class race trucks. The wheelbase measures 134.2 inches (3,409 mm) - 22 inches (86 mm) longer than the H3 SUV. A ladder-type frame is the truck's foundation and it has a modular, three-piece design that incorporates fully boxed components for outstanding strength and stiffness. An independent SLA torsion bar front suspension and multileaf Hotchkiss-type rear suspension are used. There are two suspension packages available:

* Z85 Heavy-Duty Handling and Trailering - This standard suspension delivers an excellent balance of on-highway comfort and off-road capability. It includes 32-inch all-terrain tires mounted on 16-inch, smoke-color steel wheels, specially tuned heavy-duty shocks and either a 4.56-ratio (3.7L) or 4.10-ratio (5.3L) rear axle.

* Off-Road Adventure - Designed for more aggressive off-road performance, this optional suspension package includes taller, 33-inch tires, specifically tuned shocks, locking front and rear differentials, 4.03:1 low-range gearing in the transfer case and industry-leading crawl ratios of either 68.9 with the manual transmission or 56.2 with the automatic.

To support the torque output of the 5.3L V-8, the H3T Alpha's front differential case is made of cast iron; other models feature an aluminum case. V-8-powered vehicles also receive higher torsion bar rates to support the increased mass and specific shock valving. The chassis and suspensions were validated in real-world testing on off-road trails in Moab, Utah; the Rubicon Trail in California, and other challenging off-road venues.

Off-road capability

The H3T lives up to HUMMER's legendary off-road reputation, with best-in-class extreme off-road capability. Highlights include:

* Ability to climb a 60-percent grade and traverse a 40-percent side slopeExceptional 10.2-inch (285 mm) ground clearance (with 33-inch tires)38.7-degree approach angle and 30.1-degree departure angle (with 33-inch tires)Segment-first available front- and rear-locking differentials
* Standard HUMMER Hill Hold Assist for improved hill ascension

"For most lifestyles, there's almost nothing the H3T can't handle," said Walsh. "It's a truck with HUMMER's immutable capability."Complementing the features that enable the H3T's impressive off-road prowess is a host of first-class protective elements, including four standard skid shields: a front shield, an oil-pan shield/front-axle shield, a transfer case shield and a fuel tank shield.

Safety

Continuing HUMMER's tradition of delivering a broad range of safety systems, the H3T offers the following standard features:

* Dual frontal air bags with GM's passenger sensing systemHead curtain side-impact air bagsStabiliTrak electronic vehicle stability control systemFour-wheel ABS with traction controlTire pressure monitoring systemLATCH rear child seat anchors

* OnStar with one-year Safe & Sound service

The H3T was also designed for vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a crash and its rigid body structure provides good passenger protection.

Motor Trend's Editor-in-Chief Angus McKenzie explains to Matt Hardigree that he doesn't like it when you imply his staff breaks embargoes.

Codenamed GMT745, the long-anticipated Hummer H3T was - at of all places - spotted at the recent Baja 1000. Yes, that's right - it was used as a chase vehicle while sporting preproduction camouflage!

And, for the first time ever - it was outside the safety of General Motor's Proving Grounds with a production bed, instead of a Colorado-mule bed.

Although the original concept was a short-bed pickup with just two doors - economic decisions made the four-door H3 variant much more affordable to produce.

The short-bed, which can almost be described as "cute" - will offer a cargo area of roughly 4-feet wide by 4½ to 5-feet long. A hard tonneau cover will be available as an option, as will several choices of lockable cargo boxes. And, our sources told us earlier today "... it will have a front locker and the drivetrain options will mimic the H3...it is obviously a true pick up truck."

My photographer also told me that "... for a week it was on public Baja highways and visible for anyone to see ... for nearly a week from Ensenada to Cabo - and possibly Yuma, Arizona, to Ensenada as well."

The H3T's optional cargo boxes are expected to include a small lunchbox/toolbox with the ability to easily lift-off and take to your worksite. Other boxes are likely to include cargo boxes that the whole length of the bed, as well as one which will run the width.

Engine options will include the new 295-horsepowerV8 as first shown in the H3 Alpha, as well a 242-horsepower 3.7-liter I5 powerplant.

The Shreveport-built H3T will start production in August of 2008, arrive in the third or forth quarter of 2008, as a 2009 model. Hummer plans to build about 35,000 units annually.

"a cargo area of roughly 4-feet wide by 4-feet long...A hard tonneau cover will be available as an option, as will several choices of lockable cargo boxes...engine options will include the new 295-horsepower V8, as first shown in the H3 Alpha, as well a 242-horsepower 3.7-liter I5 powerplant."

Spied: 2009 Hummer H3T [PickupTruck.com]

Related:
Spy Video: Hummer H3 SUT; Spy Photos: Hummer H3 SUT [internal]