Status, visibility and an upgraded interior are not the only virtues that sell this supertruck. The H1’s original appeal was its off-road capability. With its wide track (71.6 inches); high ground clearance (16 inches); side slope capability (40 percent); crawl ratio (41.5:1); two-speed transfer case; and the standard CTIS, the 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha is almost unstoppable off-road.

Generous breakover (29 degrees), approach (72 degrees) and departure angles (37.5 degrees) only add to the H1 Alpha’s capability. With this rig, you can climb a 22-inch vertical wall, ford a body of water 30 inches deep, and traverse a 40-percent side slope with close to 2,500 lbs. of gear on board. Plus, you have the benefit of a braking system that is tucked away and mounted on the raised drivetrain for protection. The larger 12-inch brake rotors (up from 10.7 inches) use four-channel ABS to supplement on-and off-road maneuvers, and full-time 4WD is engineered mechanically and electronically with a TorqTrac4 (TT4) system that employs a combination of ABS, a Torsen III limited-slip differential, and a two-speed transfer case. Finally, the new Allison transmission provides a crawl ratio of 45:1 (a 25-percent increase), for situations like descending steep slopes when low-end torque is in severe demand, coupled with low-range gear ratios that make the 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha a veritable mountain goat, whether going up or down steep hills.

An optional $5,726 Off-Road Adventure Package enhances the 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha even further, adding a 12,000-lb. capacity winch, 17-inch aluminum wheels with dual beadlocks, Goodyear GSA tires (MT-R LT 17-inchers are also available for $100 more), and front and rear Eaton E-locker locking differentials. By simply pushing a button, the Eaton differentials lock the wheels at the rear or both the front and rear axles, delivering torque exactly where it’s needed.