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The US Army is currently testing a prototype all-purpose vehicle powered by a Subaru turbodiesel-electric hybrid drivetrain. Called the ULV (Ultra Light Vehicle), it is meant to replace the HUMVEE. Commissioned by the Secretary of Defense and developed by the US Army's TARDEC (Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center), the ULV addresses some of the HUMVEE's shortcomings and serve as the next generation of go-anywhere military truck. Unlike the HUMVEE's V8, the ULV's petrol motor is a Subaru turbodiesel boxer making 175 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, even the military is changing with the times with a hybrid drivetrain. According to Jalopnik, the hybrid system is comprised of two Remy electric drive motors and a 14.2 kWh Navitas Li-Iron Phosphate Battery, which at peak power can generate 180 kW (241 hp). TARDEC says the ULV has a range of 337 miles at 35 mph on level ground. On pure electric power, it can cruise up to 21 miles with the advantage of doing so in sheer silence. The electric motors mean that a driveshaft is no longer necessary, and when combined with an improved undercarriage it's a significant improvement over the HUMVEE's ability to shield occupants from roadside mines, whose blasts originate beneath the vehicle. Though the Ultra Light Vehicle is so in name only, and at 13 thousand pounds actually weighs about 3,500 pounds more than the HUMVEE, it has a better power-to-weight ratio thanks to its hybrid drivetrain. In accordance with specs put forth by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the vehicle will have a payload capacity of 4,500 pounds and cost of $250,000 per unit over a 5,000 unit production run. Testing is scheduled to finish sometime this year, whereupon a determination for production will be decided.

Times are changing for the US military, which now finds itself embroiled in urban combat, for which the standard Humvee is less than ideal. As the U.S. military phases out the Humvee, its maker, AM General, strongly believes that the hardcore off-roader may still have some life left in it. For fans of the Hummer or the actual wartime vehicle that inspired it, now is your chance to own a version of the original High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or Humvee for short but without an engine. After more than 10 years break from the civilian vehicle market, AM General is considering to offer a kit car based on the C Series Humvee. The kit which is said to conform to US regulations includes a rolling chassis and could start from US$59,000 but builders have to get their own engine and transmission. A starting price of that amount is not too bad and with a suitable engine and transmission fixed, the final price will probably be around US$75,000. Considering the price of a Hummer H1 in 2005 was around US$140,000 before any added options, that US$75,000 price tag is rather reasonable. But, there is a catch. The reason why it is pretty inexpensive is because a kit version will be as stripped as a military version. That means buyers will not get the nice trimming or accessories a normal, civilian version would have. Buyers would likely get a cloth top, cloth doors, no interior trim, no sound deadening and no air-conditioning. But this would not matter much to the hardcore Humvee fans as these fans are pretty much more concerned about the Humvee

As per Mr Foo's request

CNN reported that the HumVee (H2) will be available in Asia Pacific from next year! Any takers???