Looks like the 2009 Hummer H3T is a step closer to production, ditching the mule-bed it was sporting out at the General's Proving Grounds and stepping into the quasi-light of day. Also taking one step forward was the General's PR arm, making the smart move of showing off the new quasi-pickup at the Baja 1000. But we digress — the pickup "bed," if you can call it that, will offer a cargo area of roughly 4-feet wide by 4½ to 5-feet long and the H3T will supposedly have a front locker and drivetrain options that mimic the H3. Expect the H3T to be powered by the new 295 HP V8 first shown in the H3 Alpha, as well a 242-horsepower 3.7-liter I5 powerplant. In addition, expect some truck-like accessories like optional cargo boxes including 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. Full spy report from Brenda Priddy after the jump.
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.