Hummer unveils new special-edition "Black Chrome" H2

Given that high gas prices have driven sales down 61.7% in July and GM CEO Rick Wagoner recently announced that the division will soon be axed or sold off, it may seem strange for Hummer to come out with a new version of its H2 full-size SUV. However the brand has a tradition of creating annual limited-edition variants, so for 2009 GM is introducing an extra-special package for the mighty off-roader, the Black Chrome edition.

GM isn't offering much info about the Black Chrome H2, but the name pretty much says it all. Basically all the areas on an H2 that would normally be chrome-covered -- and there are a lot of them -- instead feature a generous helping of the General's distinctive darker trim instead. Among other areas this includes the grille, door handles, hood latches and handles, side mirrors, badges, fuel-filler door, as well as the H2's imposing 22-in wheels. Combine this with its special Sedona Metallic paint and matching leather interior, however, and the treatment actually does a decent job of evoking colors found in deserts of the Southwest. And while no one's ever going to call a Hummer subtle, at least when compared with a blinged-out, regular H2 the hulking Black Chrome edition actually looks a little more restrained.

Considering so far Hummer isn't finding any buyers, it's looking more and more likely that GM will be giving its rugged, military-spec SUV brand the Oldsmobile treatment soon. So by chance if you've always wanted an H2 but wished the regular version wasn't so shiny, head over to the nearest Quonset hut dealership and see if they've got and Black Chrome edition models on the lot. After all, it may very well be the last special-edition Hummer we see for some time.

Source: Hummer