We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cars in the UAE. We’ve got them all from massive SUVs to all the latest sportscars. But Hummers really stand out from the crowd…
I agree with that wholeheartedly. Nothing gets attention quite like a Hummer H2, I can vouch for that. It’s massive in every respect. It has a big personality to go with its sheer size and weight. Since these are not produced anymore, I do get a lot of smiles from people when they see it go past. Many have stopped me to take photographs with it and it’s nice to see people still appreciate them. And yes, if you are a cut nut, then the UAE is the perfect place for you to live.
It also helps that fuel is cheap here. You probably don’t mind filling up every two or three days, right?
Yes, that is a big plus point because the H2 certainly has a drinking problem. It would be difficult to own one of these anywhere else in the world purely because the running costs are so high. Let’s not talk about its fuel efficiency; environmentalist would hate me. However, I do own a 2008 Honda Civic, which has superb fuel economy so I don’t feel too guilty when it comes to fuel.
Wasn’t seeing Hummers in movies what inspired you to buy one?
That’s right, I have always been a fan of them and seeing them in Transporter 2 and Johnny English Reborn, not to mention cartoons such as South Park and Family Guy just made me want one even more.
Tell us where you got yours from…
Well, when I found out that a close colleague of mine had imported this beast from the US, I told him that I would buy it from him if he ever wanted to sell it. One fine day, he told me he wanted to part with it and I didn’t think twice. I have to thank my parents as they supported me all the way to go for it.
What do you like best about it?
I love its power, beefy looks and the ride height. Only a true fan would understand a Hummer. As the tag line states, it’s ‘like nothing else’.
Run us through your favourite features.
This H2 is a fully loaded model and has all the bells and whistles that you would find in most luxury cars. But my favourite things about it are the traction control and self-levelling air suspension. It truly feels like the king of the road.
Have you modified it or plan to?
I have not made any modifications to it yet, but I do want to change the air intake system, exhaust system and give it bigger rims and wheels. It would look and perform even better than it currently does, but apart from that, I am quite happy with the way it is.
It needed quite a lot of work when you bought it, right?
I’m afraid so. The exhaust was damaged so I had to get that taken care of, one of the oxygen sensor wasn’t working so that needed to be replaced, the AC wasn’t blowing cold air, the spark plugs were worn out and the air filter was beyond usable. I got all of this sorted from a very good garage and it has been running great ever since. Since Hummers are not produced anymore, I thought I would be in trouble when it came to getting hold of parts, but fortunately this hasn’t been the case as GM still produces spare parts for it and I have been able to source all the things I need locally.
Good to hear. Let’s move on to the performance. What’s it like?
It has a 6.0-litre V8 and full-time four-wheel drive mated to a four-speed heavy-duty auto transmission. It produces 325 horsepower — more than enough for it to go anywhere it wants to. The torque is very impressive too what with 488Nm at 4,000rpm, it’s pretty quick for a vehicle that weighs 2,900kg.
Does it get much off-road action?
Quite frankly, I’m not an off-road kind of guy, but I do know they handle great in the sand. I have seen its off-road capabilities while on desert safaris and there is absolutely no comparison.
It must be difficult to drive on the road what with it being so large?
It can be awkward at times, but what’s worse is bringing it to a halt from high speed. It requires me to brake much earlier than I usually would, say, in my Civic. Finding a parking space in malls is another issue, but I can’t complain too much. But the driving experience is impressive and you feel very safe when in command of this brute. I enjoy slow cruises along highways but my favourite place to drive it is JBR so I can show it off.
Final question; if you could have any car in the world, what would it be?
A Lamborghini Aventador LP 700–4.
