Hummer gives Europe an H3 Sensation loaded with freebies

Hummer is currently in dire straits -- sales of its iconic, off-road ready SUVs are collapsing as gas prices continue to climb ($4.09 today and counting), and parent company GM is currently weighing its options as it looks to get rid of the brand. Yet despite speculation that it will soon be sold to the Middle East or even India, Hummer is releasing a new, special-edition variant called the H3 Sensation which it hopes can help turn the brand's fortunes around -- in Europe, that is.

Available in white or black only, the Hummer H3 Sensation will only be available on the Continent. Based on a standard European H3 Automatic, it includes a 3.7-liter inline-five good for 242 horsepower and 242 lb-ft. of torque, a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, Stabilitrak ESC, and extras such as fog lamps and a full-size spare. And while the Sensation doesn't offer a powertrain upgrade like the 300 horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 in the H3 Alpha, it does come with an array of optional equipment. Included in the package are black running boards and roof crossbars, a body-color grille, a sunroof, an in-dash, six-disc CD changer, and a seven-speaker Monsoon stereo.

GM estimates that combined, these extras are valued at 4000 Euros -- approximately $6350 -- but the automaker is offering the H3 Sensation at no extra cost. Available only at official Hummer Europe dealers, production is limited and the SUV will only be sold for a short period of time. GM hasn't released official pricing for the H3 Sensation, but considering how much extra equipment is on offer, the special-edition model looks to be a good deal -- whether it's good enough to sell a car making 15 mpg combined in a region where gas costs upwards of $8.50 per gallon, however, is tough to say.

Source: GM