Auto Channel

Page 1: Exterior
Page 2: Interior
Page 3: Specifications

Entry level Hummer

Embargo breaks galore, and WorldCarFans has laid their hands on one more of them. The Hummer HX Concept, or Hummer H4, will make its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January 13 2008.

The Hummer HX Concept is one size smaller than the H3 SUV and measures 81 inches in width (2057 mm), a 103 inch wheelbase (2616 mm), 171 inch length (4343 mm) and is 72 inches high (1829 mm). The HX is essentially an open-air, two-door off-road four-wheel-drive car which seats four and is ready to take on the legendary Jeep. The removable (front) roof panels and modular, removable rear roof assembly can of course also be installed to protect the inhabitants from rain. There are three roof assemblies available, first a convertible set-up, a slant-back (coupe-like, think of the BMW X6 and Land Rover LRX Concept) or the traditional wagon like set-up for the most effective use of cargo space. In addition, the doors and front fenders can be removed as well. The slant-back will be on display at the 2008 NAIAS show.

Design is definitely easily identified as Hummer's own, but the HX will feature some new design cues like the 'chopped circle' motif. Many of the circles and oval used on the Hummer HX have been chopped on the top and bottom to create a feel that they were chopped down in order to fit them on the smallest Hummer in the line-up. The 'chopped circle' is used extensively in and on the car, for instance on the headlights and instrument cluster.

The Hummer HX Concept is powered by a 304 hp (370 Nm of torque) 3.6L V-6 VVT engine with spark-ignition and direct injection and runs on E85 FlexFuel (or unleaded regular). Stay tuned for live shots from Detroit.

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

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.