HX CONCEPT PROVIDES VISION OF A
RUGGED, OPEN-AIR HUMMER
Youthful, open-air entry-level-size HUMMER
Designed by a trio of young designers
Convertible body with removable roof panels
and modular rear roof assembly
Easily removable fender flares and doors
Full-time 4WD with front and rear locking
differentials
Aeronautically inspired interior with
functional, lightweight design elements
Reconfigurable instruments for highway and
off-road driving
3.6L SIDI V-6 E85 FlexFuel engine with
six-speed automatic transmission
DETROIT – With its unmistakable HUMMER
design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the HUMMER
HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. HUMMER
displayed the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008
North American International Auto Show.
More compact than a HUMMER H3 – 81 inches (2,057 mm)
wide, with a 103-inch wheelbase (2,616-mm) – the HX concept
is an open-air, two-door off-road vehicle that packs the
off-road acumen for which HUMMER has become legendary, along
with an easily convertible body that acclimates to varied
trail conditions, cargo needs or passenger whims. Its design
is based on the ideas developed by a trio of young designers
who are new to the HUMMER studio.
“The HX is HUMMER’s vision of an agile, trail-ready,
open-air vehicle that fits the lifestyles of everyone who
needs or wants to drive off road," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER
general manager. "Of course, it carries exceptional off-road
capability and the distinctive styling for which all HUMMERs
are known.”
The HX offers an open-air driving experience via a pair
of removable roof panels above the driver and front
passenger, and a modular, removable rear roof assembly. With
the roof panels and roof assembly removed, the HX is
transformed into a true convertible.
Easy removal of the roof panels and rear-roof assembly
enables quick conversion from a closed vehicle to an open
one. The HX also was designed with several roof assemblies,
allowing this versatile vehicle to be configured as an SUT
(with the roof assembly removed), a stylish slant-back or a
traditional, wagon-like design that offers a bit more cargo
space.
The HX was shown with a slant-back configuration, wearing
a desert-inspired matte olive paint scheme, at the North
American International Auto Show. Additional convertible
features include:
Removable doors – easily removable
pins in the exposed hinges allow the doors to be removed
quickly – an appreciated feature of many serious
off-roaders
Removable fender flares – attached
with quarter-turn quick-release fasteners, the composite
fender flares can be quickly removed for additional
trail/rock clearance, or if the flare is damaged during
off-road driving
“The modular design of the roof and removable body panels
mark an evolution of HUMMER’s design aesthetic,” said Carl
Zipfel, director of design. “These features demonstrate a
deeper understanding of enthusiast desires when it comes to
off-road driving – and the slant-back design gives the HX a
look all its own.”
Purposeful exterior
The design of the HX was driven by input from three young
designers who were new to GM and the HUMMER design studio.
As part of their “initiation,” they were charged with
developing concept drawings for a smaller, youthful HUMMER
and the HX is a direct result of their creativity. The HX
concept is based on one of the designers’ original
illustrations, but incorporates the best ideas and elements
from the other designs.
“HUMMER appeals to young people globally and served as a
perfect first assignment for our newest talent,” said Ed
Welburn, vice president, Global Design. “Today’s graduates
from top design schools are ready to hit the ground running.
The HUMMER design challenge gave our newest designers an
opportunity to sprint.”
Inside and out, the HX carries a purposeful aesthetic
that, from initial sketches to finalized clay models, was
refined in only six months.
“This is the HUMMER design language stripped down to its
essence,” said David Rojas, creative designer. “The HX has
an aggressive appearance and great proportions, with beauty
lying in its functional austerity.”
On the exterior, the lightweight theme is evidenced in
the appearance of exposed, billet aluminum suspension
components that feature CNC-machined lightening relieves, as
well as clean, unadorned bodywork and minimal trim. The
lightweight theme is taken to its extreme when the roof
panels, roof assembly, fender flares and doors are removed.
Classic HUMMER design cues make the HX instantly
recognizable, including the round headlamps located in
square housings, an upright windshield profile, minimal
overhangs, hood vents and prominent air intakes. The air
intakes are functional and feed a V-6 engine beneath the
hood, while the hood vents are active – they articulate to
allow hot underhood air to escape.
And while the headlamps and grille are clearly HUMMER
cues, they’ve evolved on the HX with a “chopped circle”
motif. The grille slots and headlamps, as well as elements
on the interior, have the appearance of circles or ovals
that have been clipped at the top and bottom, creating a
unique appearance that speaks to the vehicle’s purposeful
aesthetic.
“The ‘cut-off’ circles suggest larger, heavy-duty
components that were trimmed to fit the compact HX,” said
Rojas.
And while it is unadorned by extraneous embellishments,
the HX’s exterior is nonetheless outfitted with features
that speak to HUMMER’s legacy of technology and innovation,
including HID headlamps with focusing rings that adjust
automatically when they’re turned on – much like the lens of
an auto-focus SLR-type camera. LED technology is used for
the front turn signal lamps and taillamps.
Aeronautically inspired interior
From aircraft-inspired seats to integrated,
off-road-ready tools, the HUMMER HX’s interior has a beauty
that lies in its purposeful intent. It was inspired by the
functional and lightweight elements found in aircraft.
“Aeronautical parts are designed to be both lightweight
and strong, and that is the feeling exuded by the HX’s
cabin,” said Stuart Norris, interior design manager. “There
isn’t superfluous trim or decoration – it is a purposeful
design that conveys beauty through strength.”
Reinforcing the stripped-to-the-essence feel, the
exterior’s matte olive color carries over onto the
interior’s largely sheet metal-covered panels. The color is
accented with pressed or extruded aluminum components, such
as the handles, switches and other necessary parts.
Furthering the aeronautical influence is the instrument
panel, which uses an exposed, extruded aluminum
cross-vehicle beam as its foundation. On the beam, the
instrument cluster and other vital controls are mounted; and
it also features a unique, removal top cover that provides
significant storage capability.
“The instrument panel is a styling element of the HX, and
the removal of the top cover reveals a secondary design that
enhances the vehicle’s core design ethic,” said Norris.
“With the top cover removed, the interior conveys even more
of a basic essence – and the structure beneath the cover is
beautiful to those who appreciate finely crafted metal.”
A rubberized floor and ballistic nylon-material covering
on the instrument panel and other interior components
reinforces the functional aesthetic.
Seating and console details
Like aircraft seats, the HX’s seats are constructed on a
lightweight framework with minimal components that feature
lightening holes and strength-enhancing cross braces or
triangulations. They are mounted on exposed, aircraft-style
tracks and trimmed with a weather-resistant neoprene
material.
The HX seats four, with a pair of bucket-type seats in
the second row. The rear seats mimic the front seats’ design
and can be removed to generate more cargo room. All the
seats feature a four-point, racing-style safety harness.
The inner seat track on both front seats is located
beneath the outer edges of a prominent center console. The
console offers exceptional storage capability and houses a
unique shifter that mounts low and out of the way when the
vehicle is parked – also hiding from sight the engine
starter button. It has a spring-loaded cover that pops up
when the driver is ready to select a gear.
The console also houses a resting place for phones, MP3
player and iPods or iPhones. In fact, there is no
conventional radio in the HX, only integrated speakers.
Passengers plug in an iPod, or similar device, to a USB
connector to play music in the HX.
“From the console to the cargo area behind the seats,
there are simply untold storage possibilities within the
HX,” said Norris. “It’s like a four-wheel backpack that’s
already fitted with the necessities.”
Gauges and tools
The “cut-off circles” motif of the exterior is seen even
more so on the HX’s interior, as the gauge cluster,
instrument panel vents and even the steering wheel carry the
design element.
A three-element gauge cluster – each of the three
instrument “pods” carries the cut-off circle design –
delivers crucial driver information in either a highway or
off-road mode. This conceptual reconfigurable gauge layout
uses LCD screens with multiple layouts, including a
navigation system. The nav system features GPS and compass
information; and is designed to upload trail information
before setting off on an excursion.
The center gauge pod houses a speedometer and tachometer,
but changes to a wheel angle indicator when the transmission
is in the low position. This off-road mode changeover from
the highway mode gives the driver information that is more
pertinent to the driver conditions. The trail view of a
camera mounted in the rear-view mirror can be displayed on
the instrument panel, too.
The off-road mode features of the instrument panel
comprise the virtual tools of the HX, while others are
mounted for physical use, including a folding shovel,
flashlight and first-aid kit. They all carry the “clipped
circle” design motif found throughout the vehicle.
Ready for rocks, trails and more
With its compact dimensions, almost no overhangs and
grippy 35-inch tires, the HX is ready for all terrains. Like
all HUMMER production models, the HX has sturdy,
body-on-frame construction, onto which is mounted front and
rear independent suspensions.
The front suspension features an electronic-disconnecting
stabilizer bar for enhanced maneuverability when driving off
road, and the rear suspension is located with Computer
Numerical Controlled (CNC)-machined, billet trailing arms.
Heavy-duty shocks with piggyback reservoirs were custom-made
for the HX by renowned racing shock manufacturer Fox; one is
mounted at each wheel position.
A full-time 4WD system pulls the HX over, through and
around off-road obstacles. It transfers torque to the front
and rear axles, each of which is equipped with a locking
differential. The torque meets the trail via custom
35-inch-tall off-road tires that are mounted on a set of
custom, bead-lock-style wheels that have a two-tone
appearance; dark-painted wheel centers complemented by
silver-anodized outer rims.
A complete underbody armor kit, including a front skid
plate, powetrain protection and more, protects the HX from
wayward rocks and other potentially damaging objects. A
power-operated winch is located in the front bumper, and the
HX has recovery hooks mounted on the front and rear bumpers,
just in case its help is required for wrangling others out
of unfortunate off-road situations.
Motivation for the HX comes from an E85 FlexFuel 3.6L
SIDI V-6 that is backed by a six-speed automatic
transmission. The transmission is teamed with the 4WD system
to offer exceptional low-speed traction and crawling
capability. Four-wheel-disc brakes provide confident
stopping power.
# # #
Contact: Nick Richards
HUMMER Communications
Phone: 313-665-9292
E-mail: nick.richards@gm.com
Michael Albano
GM Design Communications
Phone: 586-986-5143
E-mail:
michael.albano@gm.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Model:
HUMMER HX Concept
Body style / driveline:
two-door, four-seat
open-top, four wheel-drive
Construction:
welded steel frame,
electro galvanized steel
Engine type:
3.6L V-6 VVT (variable
valve timing) with spark-ignition, direct injection
Displacement (cu in /
cc):
217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in /
mm):
3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material:
sand-cast aluminum with
cast-in bore liners
Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum
Valvetrain:
DOHC, 4 valves per
cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT)
Fuel delivery:
direct high-pressure
fuel injection
Compression ratio:
11.3:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @
rpm):
304 / 227 @ 6300 rpm (est)
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @
rpm):
273 / 370 @ 5200 rpm (est)
Fuel Type:
unleaded regular or E85
ethanol
Transmission:
Hydra-Matic 6L50
six-speed electronically control automatic
transmission
Suspension:
front: independent SLA,
custom Fox Racing coil-over shocks; 2-in shocks,
2.5-in springs
rear: semi-trailing link, custom Fox Racing
coil-over shocks; 2-in shocks, 2.5-in springs
Three Young
Designers Shape Future of HUMMER through HX Concept
DETROIT – Scheduled for introduction at the 2008
North American International Auto Show, the HUMMER HX concept
reflects the innovative minds of three new GM designers - David
Rojas, Min Young Kang and Robert Jablonski - whose first assignment
was to provide a vision for the future design of off-road vehicles.
Fresh out of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Mich.,
the designers’ first test in GM was to design a fun, nimble and
innovative HUMMER concept.
“HUMMER appeals to young people globally and served as a perfect
first assignment for our newest talent,” said Ed Welburn, vice
president of global design and product planning. “Today’s graduates
from top design schools are ready to hit the ground running. The
HUMMER design challenge gave our newest designers an opportunity to
sprint.”
The task presented numerous challenges to the new designers, from
creating a vehicle for a brand known around the globe for its iconic
design, to ensuring the model would live up to the market’s
expectation of HUMMER off-road capability.
To help ensure designs were true to the HUMMER brand, these
designers were given limited design direction by Carl Zipfel, an
ex-professional motocross racer and director of the HUMMER design
studio.
“Carl definitely set the tone,” said Rojas. “While he gave us
creative liberty and challenged us to develop innovative ideas, he
also defined three HUMMER proportions – wheelbase, approach and
departure angles, and stance – and assigned one to each of us. It
gave us a chance to collaborate, but also take our own direction.”
While sketching and sculpting together in the HUMMER studio,
these recent graduates drew upon the creative energy of each other,
further improving their individual designs, as well as that of the
final concept.
,.
“We drew inspiration from one another,” said Kang. “As you’re
designing and sketching you try to absorb what the other designer is
doing and try to make it better.”
Rojas HX
Jablonski HX
Kang HX
David, Min Young and Robert’s collaboration inspired the HUMMER
HX concept, which presents extraordinary efficiency without
sacrificing the unique essence of the HUMMER brand, the world’s most
capable off-road vehicles.
“While we took inspiration from the HUMMER heritage and DNA, we
each wanted to evolve it in a new way,” said Jablonski. “We agreed
it should be contemporary, compact and definitely open air. It came
out great.”
After three months of sketching and sculpting theme work for the
new HUMMER concept, each designer had the opportunity to present
scale clay models to Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman and Ed Welburn, who
chose which design would ultimately become the HX concept.
In its final concept form, the E-85 FlexFuel capable HUMMER HX
embodies the off road spirit of HUMMER in a fully customizable
package. The HX offers an open-air driving experience via a pair of
removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger and a
modular, removable rear roof assembly enabling a quick conversion
from closed vehicle to open vehicle SUT. It also features a slant
back assembly with removable doors and fender flairs.
“Working as a team, you realize it’s more than one person
influencing the vehicle,” said Rojas. “You can see the inspiration
from each of our designs in the final concept vehicle. We’re all
proud to have the chance to see our sketches become reality.”
