It's been more than a year since the new Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac family of large SUVs was revealed, and now Hummer is playing catch up. While it may not look it from the outside--only a few details at the front have been changed--the H2 has been completely revamped for 2008. A twenty-percent horsepower increase comes courtesy of the Cadillac Escalade's 6.2-liter aluminum V-8. Here, it's good for 393 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The big Caddy's six-speed automatic is also carried over, and the combination makes this, in Hummer general manager Martin Walsh's words, "one of those rare instances where enhanced performance is matched with improved efficiency." Funny, we thought that was called "engineering." Towing capacity is also up 1,500 pounds, meaning that the H2 can now tow 8,000 pounds.
The other big news comes inside, where the massive, Playskool-inspired interior has grown up a bit. Increased safety is denoted by a new standard stability control button and SRS labels on panels behind which new side curtain air bags hide. The air bags are equipped with a rollover sensing system. Visually, the interior has been redesigned with new seats and a cleaner dashboard that shares components with the rest of the GM family. A Bose audio system is standard, and surround sound is optional. Look (closely) for the new H2 and H2 SUT at dealers later this year.