The Hummer H1 is a bit of cult classic these days, and although the Hummer brand is long gone, there are still ways to own the military SUV for civilian use. However, Mil-Spec has a different idea for the civilian Humvee.
The company, based in Detroit, Michigan, with a manufacturing footprint in Wichita, Kansas, will take the Humvee and transform it into a powerful, more luxurious SUV. It begins with a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8, which delivers 500 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque. An Allison six-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels, and the SUV will scoot from 0-60 mph in just 6.8 seconds.
If that’s not enough, Mil-Spec also offers Stage 2 and Stage 3 packages.
To further modernize things, the company remanufactures and powder coats the chassis, and covers the exterior in matte Kevlar-coated body. Inside, an array of materials cover the cockpit. Aluminum, leather, duck canvas, and waterproof vinyl mesh with metal trim and other accents. Everything is power for the driver’s convenience and the JL Audio system also includes a backup camera.
And the price for all of the goodies rings in at $218,499 for the launch edition. Those looking for variety will also have the chance to select different body styles, too. Mil-Spec will build the Humvee in two- and four-door variations, hardtops, slant-backs, wagons, and pickups.
Comments
Unlike the overwhelming majority of the general population, I spent about four hours over two weeks driving one and roughly 50 hours being a passenger…Beyond two off road detours, all the time was spent on public roads…It was a late 90s model and it was not “fun” to drive as it shouldn’t be…It was so slow to accelerate, road noise so loud it would produced headaches and so wide that navigating parking lots was challenging…Even in our limited off road runs, you were basically in a tank and just barreled through things…Far less fun than a more nimble SUV…While it did gain some additional power, Mil-Spec certainly addressed it’s most glaring issue by giving it some real power…
In the H1’s defense, the design is quite old and wasn’t initially intended for civilian use. To make it palatable for civilian use, the driver has to be willing to make a few compromises in comfort and drivability, and even then, outfits like Mil-Spec can only take it so far with their engineering budget, and finding a market for a $200K+ truck who’s underpinnings are over 25 years old.
It’s undeniably unmistakable and it’s one of the few vehicles whos’ physical appearance has been permanently etched into public the consciousness. But it is showing its age, it’s military use has been scaled back to support and training applications, and there are SUV’s that are just as capable off road at it is while being offered a price below and above it.
“…and there are SUV’s that are just as capable off road at it is while being offered a price below and above it.”
What production model SUVs compete with a HMMWV? The thing comes stock with a 16 inch ground clearance, double A frame four wheel independent suspension, huge inboard four wheel disc brakes, portal axles, fulltime 4WD with lockers, waterproof electrical and guages, one emf proff hardened controller, 5 foot fording depth, etc. Really?
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/06/mil-spec-modernizes-the-hummer-h1/#ixzz5J6rQQ9u9
Yeah, i have to agree with JT, except for maybe a G-Wagen there are no civilian SUVs that can even approach what a H1 is capable of doing when it’s not even being stressed.
Comparing a civilian anything to a H1 is like comparing a raptor to a deuce 1/2! Creature comforts are the ONLY advantage.