23 Jan 03
Open its vast one-piece bonnet using the fake 'helicopter hooks' and a suitably large, and thirsty, 6.0-litre V8 resides up front. With 316bhp arriving at 5200rpm and 359lb ft of torque driving through a slick-shifting automatic transmission, it's surprisingly brisk. Use its formidable power, however, and single-figure consumption is the penalty. Still, it's no worse than you'd get from a similarly driven Range Rover or X5. If consumption is a real concern there's an LPG (liquid petroleum gas) option that, hilariously, as it's a one-vehicle traffic-stopper, should allow you to avoid the London congestion charge. It's unfair to expect the H2 to handle like an X5, but it stays remarkably flat through corners. The balloon tyres don't help with steering feel, but do contribute to a wonderfully comfortable ride.
Clamber inside, and you've got an interior that is typically American 'plush' - powered everything, loads of kit and some fairly iffy plastics. You'll forgive the odd tacky-feeling button for the wonderful automatic gearshift selector; it wouldn't look out of place in a fighter jet or battleship. There's leather-covered seating for six, both front and rear passengers getting heated pews, while stereo controls in the back with individual headphone sockets make sure you and your troops are pampered while searching for a downed Black Hawk - or just out for some R&R. There's even an air compressor fitted in the boot, which is, er, useful.
At £60,000, it'd be easy to write off the H2 as an expensive toy for those with too much money. However, that price is up there with top-end Range Rovers and the H2 utterly eclipses the Brit for shear presence and exclusivity - there's only a handful in the country. If you want attention, there's no substitute.
Despite GM owning the Hummer brand, you're not going be able to pop into your local Vauxhall dealer and order an H2. If you want one you'll need to visit a specialist importer. Our H2 was brought in by Newport Imports (see www.newport-imports.com), for details.
