Elmo187
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- Joined
- Oct 6, 2006
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- Brandon, FL, USA
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- Cobalt SS/SC-SN95 5.0 Stang-Toyota Corolla AE86
Courtesy of AutoBlog
Saturn Astra Tuner Concept:
Hummer H3R:
Hummer H2 Safari:
Saturn Astra Tuner Concept:
The Saturn Astra Tuner concept that GM is bringing to SEMA is cool, but it's also a bit of a tease. The bodywork and wheels are upgraded thanks to accessory parts from OPC, Opel's in-house go-fast shop, and they all look really good. Unfortunately, the show car doesn't have the Euro market Astra OPC's 240-hp 2.0L turbo Ecotec. Instead, the Astra XR's NA 1.8L four gets a 20 horsepower bump to 160 for SEMA duty.
The car we want to see in Saturn stores is basically this, but with a Red Line badge on the tailgate and 260 horses from the DI 2.0 turbo that's seeing a lot of action lately. Since all Astras are imports, however, we'd settle for the Euro-spec 240-horsepower version of said engine. Saturn can keep those Recaros, too. We don't fancy sitting on something whose deco pattern could realistically be called "rusted shipping container." Make 'em a solid color, and we're all good. Follow the jump for the full mod list from the General.
Hummer H3R:
Well now, doesn't this look like fun? HUMMER's H3R SEMA concept takes an off-road racing theme and then dials it up well past the maximum. You see, in addition to being lifted four inches and decked out in all manner of butch accessories like 20" rims wrapped in 35" Mickey Thompsons, a bull bar, and enough lights to illuminate Giants Stadium, the biggest story of all is the LS7 someone swiped from a Corvette Z06 and dropped under the H3's hood. That hood, by the way, incorporates a Lexan panel -- all the better to show off the 500-horse V8 stuffed beneath it.
The interior's also overhauled, fitted with racing buckets, a window net, upgraded trim, and a deleted back seat. The spare tire gets moved into the cargo area, and a jerry can takes its vacated spot on the carrier in back. The LS7 exhales through a quad-outlet exhaust that's integrated into the rear bumper. This is fairly badass, to be sure. A full breakdown of the numerous mods can be found after the jump. One thing you won't read in the release is that HUMMER will be gauging reaction to both this show truck and the H2 Safari concept that'll be parked next to it at SEMA. According to our source, if the reaction's good, limited-edition production versions are a fair bet. Don't expect to see the LS7 in a consumer-grade H3R, however. If that project does happen, the 5.3L V8 from the H3 Alpha would be used, instead.
Hummer H2 Safari:
The PR materials for the HUMMER H2 Safari say that the big truck's matte olive green paint is designed to help it blend in on the trail. We get the idea, but while H2s may do many things, "blending in" ain't exactly one of 'em, low-key paint notwithstanding. So, while it may scare away the gazelles you're trying to hunt, you can still take advantage of the amenities, of which there are many.
A sliding canvas roof panel opens up the big HUMMER's interior to Mother Nature, and the experience can be made even airier thanks to the removable rear quarter windows. Inside, you enjoy the new Gaia-enhanced drive from weather-resistant nylon-covered seats, and the instrument panel has been gussied up in matching colors and brushed metal trim. A dockable GPS sits on the center console, too. While a pith helmet is not included, fuel and gun racks are, as well as a boatload of gear like a Warn winch, 35" Mickey Ts, and a sampling of official HUMMER accessories.
As is the case with the H3R, HUMMER's closely watching the reaction to this concept. If it's good enough, a similar H2 in limited-production form is a distinct possibility. We can already see the TV commercial: it would be just like the Jeep one where friendly forest critters jump through the Liberty's open top, only in this one, a Partagas-chomping Bob Lutz would be driving the open-roofed HUMMER, from which he'd be blowing away attacking terradactyls and sabre-toothed tigers with a Desert Eagle. For that reason alone, this must see production.