Dec 20, 2001 - You couldn't have bigger shoes to fill than when you have to design a stablemate to the original Hummer H1. H1 is the icon of off-roading, the military-bred, ultimate all-terrain vehicle. H2, while being functional and refined in its design, had to above all strike instant recognition as a Hummer.

To capture the look, feel and capabilities of the original Hummer and reshape them for more mainstream appeal, GM designers took a "clean sheet" approach to the exterior body design. By starting virtually from scratch, designers were able to capture the essential proportions of H1 and the signature features of its fiercely utilitarian design. Its form vocabulary is one of square shapes, flat chiseled surfaces, hard peak lines and flat glass planes.

H2's extremely boxy body and very straight windshield and windows, which resemble H1's forms, combine to create a significant amount of interior room. The vertical glass opens up a broader front and wider side view. In a nod to the functional aspect of design, exposed components, like hood lift handles, hood latches and fasteners, give H2's appearance an individually component-assembled quality. Exposed components, as they do on H1, shout ruggedness and functionality.

Typically thick, hefty and massively sized components, such as the reinforced steel bumpers and outside rearview mirrors, provide extraordinary strength and convey an appearance and feeling of near indestructibility-a tenet of the Hummer brand.

The wide tread, long wheelbase, short overhangs, huge tires and wheels at the extreme corners, designed for extraordinary stability, ground clearance and climbing, quickly signal H2's unparalleled off-road capability. The upright side windows, large hood handles and tow loops, round headlamps-even the signature louvered grille-all reflect H2's military heritage, which is, again, directly descended from H1.

While somewhat scaled down in size and weight, H2 is hardly what some have loosely characterized as a "baby Hummer." It's actually taller, at 77.8 inches (82 inches with the optional roof rack), and longer, at 189.8 inches, than H1. Its dimensions, like its proportions, provide the optimum in passenger comfort and safety, as well as off-road capability.

H2 features a forward-tilting hood with integral fenders like that of H1. The hood and the fenders are made of dent- and rust-resistant sheet molding compound. The hood also uses metal reinforcements for added strength. As a unique feature, H2's optional brush guard has been designed to attach to the hood, so that both tilt up together when the hood is opened. The hood opens about 110 degrees, providing full access to the engine compartment. Heavy-duty, exposed outside hood latches on either side near the cowl panel tie the whole front end down; they provide extra safety during severe off-road maneuvers.

Visually distinctive lighting is a functional design element that complements the entire vehicle. H2 sports Hummer-style seven-inch halogen headlamps as part of its lighting system. Unlike conventional modular systems, there are actually six separate lamps used for the headlamps, park/turn signals, daytime running lamps (DRLs) and side markers. Additional roof marker and clearance lights signal H2's width and help drivers to be seen more easily. Flush, vertically stacked taillamps also clearly signal H2's heritage.

Like other H2 components, the bumpers are unusually large and hefty. But they have a two-sectional design to help reduce weight while still providing optimum protection. They accommodate H2's high approach and departure angles during off-road operation, but still fall into a range of other vehicles' bumper zones on the highway.

The front bumper also includes large, military, Hummer-style retrieval loops; the rear bumper includes tow loops. Both bumpers have access holes for the hitch receivers attached to the chassis, with the front receiver accommodating a winch.

H2's exceptionally large wheelhouses anticipate what those seeking the best off-road vehicle on the market will want: huge tires and lots of wheel travel. They allow plenty of wheel travel during off-road use or when the suspension is articulating to help prevent the tires from hitting the body. H2's wheels and tires are the largest production size of any GM light-duty truck: 17.0 x 8.5-inch forged aluminum wheels and B.F. Goodrich LT285/70R17 on/off-road tires are standard. Optional LT315/70R17 all-terrain tires are available as part of the off-road suspension package.

Standard black composite wheelhouse liners, a premium feature, protect the body from stone throws and help dampen tire noise; black molded wheel flares provide splash and stone protection.

In addition to full skid-plate protection, H2 also provides unique rocker protection. A standard large, black-painted steel tube, running along the driver side and bolted to the frame, protects the lower body and door panels against being struck by rocks and stumps from beneath and on side angles. The vehicle can be easily jacked up from square in the middle of the rocker protector, if necessary, lifting two wheels off the ground.