HUMMER HX Design Managers talk about their new concept

Click the HX for a high-res gallery at the GM Design Dome
Much to the consternation of the communications staff at General Motors the press photos and story on the new HUMMER HX concept got published a few days earlier than planned last week. Thankfully for us the company didn't rescind their invitation to come down to the Design Dome at the Warren Tech Center to see the new vehicle and talk to the design managers before the chaos of the scrum after the official reveal at Cobo Hall for the Detroit Auto Show. Interior Designer Stuart Norris and HUMMER Design director Carl Zipfel spent a few minutes talking to us about the new Wrangler challenger. You can get an uninterrupted look at the HX in our gallery and check out video with Stuart and Carl after the jump.
[Source: HUMMER]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stephanie 9:44PM (3/26/2008)
This car f***ing rocks, I want one! I call dibbs on a red one.
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MJK 8:43AM (1/17/2008)
Hey...where's Rojas!?
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mango 9:06AM (1/17/2008)
It looks good and all...but I can guarentee that they'll never sell it looking like that. That's what I hate about concepts...they look fantastic yet the production versions generally look nothing like the concepts.
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Bryan 9:09AM (1/17/2008)
Sweet.... first Hummer I've liked since the H1.
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Russell 11:00AM (1/17/2008)
I agree, HX and H1 are only worthy of HUMMER name.
I definately will have to have HX if they make it the way it is.
4x4North 11:24AM (1/17/2008)
Russell: Oh give me a break. Before talking about what's worthy of the name, first go wheel an H2 and H3. You web wheeler's are getting really boring.
After comments like that, I really hope you DON'T buy the HX, you're exactly the opposite of who is supposed to own it.
Russell 11:58AM (1/17/2008)
I really hope HX DOES make it to production, and I will OWN it.
Bernd 6:30AM (1/21/2008)
I love this, it seems they are going backwards with their design. The HMMWV was a great vehicle.
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Mike 10:00AM (1/17/2008)
It's going to be tough to make a wrangler competitor with 4 wheel IFS
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Gavin S. 11:30AM (1/17/2008)
Doesn't IFS stand for independent front suspension?
4x4North 11:52AM (1/17/2008)
4 wheel IFS? IFS stands for independent FRONT suspension, it'll be hard to have 4 wheel IFS... :)
The H1 has independent suspension all around, and it destroys the competition offroad. I personally love independent for offroad use, you get more feel, especially in the front, unlike SFA which is like manuevering a boat over terrain.
With the approach, breakover and departure angles, the HX will destroy the JEEP, no questions asked, STOCK.
Mike 12:39PM (1/17/2008)
I know, typo, realized after I posted... meant IFS/IRS.
The H1 is not a rock crawler, the H1 is not a trail rig, the H1 is not a Wrangler competitor:
H1=M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) - The final design met military requirements to replace numerous types of aged vehicles and keep up with swift moving tanks. The Army wanted durability, mobility, and reliability. The unique geometry of the truck provides those qualities.
The HX is not going to be produced as it will not meet federal mandated crash standards... the current Wrangler is about as bare-bones as you can get for frontal impact and rollover protection.
Oh yeah... I see your HX and raise you a Hurricane!
4x4North 1:22PM (1/17/2008)
The H1 IS a rock crawler, the H1 IS a trail rig, and it definitely is a wrangler competitor if you've got deep enough pockets.
I know all about HUMMER history and what they were designed for.
The HX doesn't have much that cannot be reproduced in a production vehicle. In fact, the concept is so well thought out that I don't see much problems for them creating a production vehicle that remains true to the concept and keeps the angles intact, and still meets gov standards.
You can go all in with a hurricane, fact remains that the hurricane was a lot more radical in design and was truly just a concept. GM has stayed true as can be to the concepts in the past, so I won't be surprised to see the production HX looking very close to the concept.
Remember, you're comparing Chrysler to GM, Chrysler NEVER comes out with their concepts, GM DOES.
Mike 1:38PM (1/17/2008)
"Chrysler NEVER comes out with their concepts"
Chrysler has a stronger history that almost any other automaker of turning concepts to production.... are you smoking crack?
H1 is more at home in Baja than the Rubicon, Spider Lake, or any trails here in Colorado. Heck, Wranglers get pinstripping from the trees on the trails out here, let alone a 7 foot wide hummer. There are few trails H1's even fit on out here.
I look forward to a production version, but the angles will not translate, and independent suspensions (yeah, compare the H1's portal setup to anything...) will not cut it on the trails with anyone looking for more than a scenic drive or a dirt road.
Ric Kaysen 11:36AM (1/17/2008)
Happens every time. I drool over some cool concept only to be disappointed when the final version comes out looking like a minivan. I'm done even giving these "concepts" the time of day. They're the automotive equivalent of vaporware.
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Takeo 1:14PM (1/17/2008)
Is it just me or does the back look like you just ripped the hatchback off an AE86?
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TwinTurbo3000GT 1:09PM (1/17/2008)
damn that thing is badass.
If I ever do buy one, i'm bringing those dealer ramps with me everywhere i go so i can park all tilted. :D
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Ken 8:32PM (1/17/2008)
The Hummer HX is awesome! If GM makes it pretty much as is I'm definitely buying one!!!
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haynturtle1971 4:42PM (1/21/2008)
didnt bill goldberg have a truck like this in the monster jam series
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