2010 Audi S4 vs. 2007 Audi RS4

Two years after the its introduction, Hummer’s runt of the litter finally received a V-8 variant, and was given a new designation, the H3 Alpha. With 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, the Alpha’s 5.3-liter V-8 is the engine the H3 should have had all along. In this application, the engine develops 300 horsepower under the H3′s chunky hood, in an engine compartment originally designed around a five cylinder in-line. In a road test by Car & Driver, Hummer claimed that the Alpha hits 60 mph in 8.0 seconds. That’s slower than the much larger–and more powerful–2008 H2, which can hustle its 6650 pounds to 60 in a reasonably impressive 7.8 seconds with a 393-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic.

Much of the blame for the H3′s lack of thrust can be attributed to the four-speed automatic, which was retained because of underhood packaging constraints. The Hummer engineers already had enough to do in their efforts to squeeze the longer, wider, and heavier small-block V-8 into the tight engine bay of the H3. Parts of the front-of-dash panel had to be moved rearward, and the frame had to be modified so the engine mounting points could be accommodated and a new, heavier-duty cooling system could be installed. The transmission was modified to accommodate a larger-diameter torque converter, and the front anti-roll bar was beefed up to handle the 100 pounds of additional weight.

Packaging of the exhaust system and the application of 2009 emissions controls made it impossible to achieve the same horsepower and torque figures for their version of the 5.3 as those in other GM applications, such as the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. All of this can be rectified with a little judicious tuning. Remember the 5.3L V-8 has been around for a while, and the ability to get more power from it shouldn’t be too hard.

In conclusion, should a Hummer (any Hummer) be considered a muscle car? This is the smallest Hummer, with a large engine, and with the right modifications, it should be able to perform like a muscle car. And if you crave this beast, the time is right to purchase one, as values have fallen off the face of the earth, due to soaring fuel prices, the decline of SUV popularity generally, and the elimination of the Hummer brand by GM. I predict that these trucks will become a hot collectible within the decade, but what do you think? Should a Hummer ever be considered a muscle car? I am sure that this posting will generate a lot of debate.

Bullrun Season 3 Behind the Scenes: episode 3

But no matter the locale this rally is still the Toruk (big red bird-like banshee for the five of you who have yet to see Avatar) of rallies. It’s the big mamma jamma. The Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast of rallies (it really is a hearty meal). The Dakar Rally draws such celebrated entrants as all-around bad boy and kickass driver of anything with four wheels, Robby Gordon and Team Hummer. Know what else? The Dakar Rally is happening right now – providing you aren’t reading this weeks after this post has gone live. And even better news for those of us who lack easy access to the Argentinian badlands is that Team Hummer tire partner Toyo Tires will be blogging about the team’s progress throughout the rally. So if you want exclusive TMZ-style access to the world’s premiere rally check out Toyo Tires’ blog here. G’head, we’ll wait.

The Hummer is an ex-SEMA show truck up for auction now on ebaymotors.