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 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. The HUMMER design challenge gave our newest designers an opportunity to sprint."
"The HX has an aggressive appearance and great proportions, with beauty lying in its functional austerity."
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 'cut-off' circles suggest larger, heavy-duty components that were trimmed to fit the compact HX," said Rojas.
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. "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. "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. 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. 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. The inner seat track on both front seats is located beneath the outer edges of a prominent center console.
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. 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.
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 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.
