06 May 2007

Hummer H3 in Australia

The Hummer is coming to Australia, and for about $50,000 you can be sure it will be snapped up by those who want look tough. There's no other reason why you would want a Hummer. Because of its big wheels (designed to make it look tougher), interior space is compromised. Even though it looks bulky and rugged, the H3 actually has similar dimensions as a Ford Territory. It weighs a measly 2100kg, which is heavy compared to sedans and small cars, but it's not heavy compared to your average Range Rover (2400kg) or Landcruiser Sahara (2700kg). In fact, its weight puts it in the league of the softroader or crossover. The H3 then is the ultimate pretend car. It reminds me of short men who spend so much time at the gym to develop huge muscles. The huge muscles do not look right on a person of low height. It looks like he is trying to compensate for low height by increasing muscle mass. Likewise, those who buy the H3 want the tough image but are unwilling or unable to handle the weight and fuel costs of a truly large vehicle. The H1 and H2 or course are different since they actually are big cars.

Check out what this lady Heidi has to say about the Hummer: "Now, I understand that Hummers -- and off-road vehicles in general -- send a powerful message of masculinity. They say, 'I can go anywhere.' They say, 'I am not constrained by roads, or other rules of society.' Hummers are the strong and silent type. Very strong, and if you can tune out the engine noise and find an off-road road wide enough for your car, very silent. The Hummer is even more than that. It's the strong, silent, and highly regimented type. So I can see that there's a definite element of machismo there. Very Western-Hero rides in and saves the girl and keeps his mouth shut kind of thing."

Yeah, okay. Whatever. It's amazing how two people looking at the same thing can see completely different things.

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