Author: Zahari Mladenov

Four Wheeler magazine, America’s oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive enthusiast magazine, has named the 2009 HUMMER H3T the winner of its coveted Pickup Truck of the Year award. The in-depth competition has been held annually since 1989, and this year marks HUMMER’s first-ever win.

The 2009 competitors’ list included four new four-wheel-drive pickup trucks: The H3T, the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, and the Suzuki Equator. To qualify, each vehicle had to be entirely new, or sport substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year, in addition to using a two-speed transfer case.

“The competition this year was fierce, with any of the four competitors capable of taking home the trophy, but in the end, it was the HUMMER H3T that emerged from the dust as our 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year,” said Four Wheeler Technical Editor, Sean P. Holman. “Not only was the Hummer highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks, and a usable pickup bed. HUMMER has done its research to provide the four-wheeling enthusiast with a vehicle that has been designed around their needs from the beginning, rather than offering an off-road version of an existing product and it shows in the final product. Congratulations to HUMMER’s 2009 H3T, our Pickup Truck of the Year.”

“The new H3T is perfect for the person who has to have a pickup to tow and haul, but can’t live without above average off-highway capability,” added Senior Editor Ken Brubaker. “The H3T is the Alpha male in its segment. Nothing else comes close.”

The HUMMER won the competition’s prestigious Off Highway Performance category, and performed strongly in all other scoring categories. The week-long Pickup Truck of the Year test consisted of a 1.500 km curriculum on streets, highways, rocky trails, desert sand dunes and steep hills. Elevations ranged from sea level to over 2.000 meter, and the H3T excelled in virtually every type of driving environment.

Two powertrains are offered for the new H3T. The GM Vortec 3.7L, inline five-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing delivers 180 kW (245 hp) at 5,600 rpm and 328 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. A new 5.3L V8 engine adds an extra dimension in performance and towing capability, performing 224kW (305hp) at 5,200 rpm and 432 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. During 2009, this V8 engine will become E85 bio-ethanol capable.