His 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-road in the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
More compact than the Hummer H3 - 81 inches (2057 mm) wide, 103-inch wheelbase (2,616 mm) - the HX concept is an external, two-door vehicle that packs the off-road off-road acumen which HUMMER has become legendary easily convertible into one body that has become accustomed to the track conditions changed, load requirements or passing whims. Its design is based on ideas developed by a trio of young designers who are new HUMMER studio.
"The HX is HUMMER's vision an agile, trail ready, open-air vehicle that fits the lifestyle of those who need or want to drive off-road," said Martin Walsh, General Manager HUMMER. "Of course, carries exceptional off-road capability and distinctive style, 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. With the roof panels and roof, the HX becomes a true convertible.
Easy removal of the roof panels and rear-roof assembly enables quick conversion from closed vehicle to an open process. 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 sleek slanted-back or a traditional, wagon-like design that gives a little more space for luggage.
Removable doors - easily removable pins in the exposed hinges allow doors to be removed quickly - an appreciated feature of many serious off-road
Removable mudguards - attached rotary valve, quick release fasteners, composite wings can be quickly removed the additional path / rock clearance, or if the flare is damaged, 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 driving off-road - and the tilt back design gives the HX a look itself."
External Intentional
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," which were responsible for developing designs for a smaller, younger HUMMER and the HX is a direct result of their creativity. The HX concept is based on a designer original illustrations, but incorporates the best ideas and design elements of others.
"HUMMER appeals to young people around the world and served as a perfect first assignment for our newest talent," said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design. "Today's graduates in the design schools are ready to hit the ground running. HUMMER Design Challenge gave our newest designers an opportunity to sprint. "
Inside and out, the HX view purposeful aesthetic that, from the original project ran out of clay models, developed, only six months.
"This is the HUMMER design language stripped of its essence," said David Rojas, creative designer. "The HX has an aggressive appearance and great proportions, with beauty lying in its functional austerity."
Outside, the theme of light and is reflected in the appearance of exposed suspension components including billet aluminum CNC relieves lighting, cleaning and adjustment, bodywork and minimal trim. The theme is a bit to the extreme when the roof panels, roof, fender flares and doors are removed.
Indexes classic HUMMER design for HX instantly recognizable, including round headlamps located in square housings, windshield law profile, minimal overhangs, hood vents and prominent air intakes. The air intakes are functional and feed a V-6 engine under the hood while the hood vents are active - they articulate to allow hot air to escape under the hood.
And while the headlamps and grille are clearly HUMMER cows, they have evolved on the HX with a "chopped circle" motif. Slots grille and headlights, as well as elements within, is the appearance of circles or ovals that have been cut in the top and bottom, creating a unique appearance that speaks to the targeted car design.
"Cut-off 'circles suggest larger, heavy-duty components that were trimmed to fit compact HX," said Rojas.
And while it is unadorned by exterior trim, the HX is, however was equipped with features that speak to HUMMER's legacy of technology and innovation, including HID headlamps with focusing rings that s' is set automatically when turned on - as the autofocus lens reflex type camera. LED technology is used to update the headlights and taillights.
Seat map of inspiration for integrated, all-terrain ready tools, the HUMMER HX interior has a beauty that lies in its deliberate. Inspired by the functional elements and light in the plane.
"Aeronautical parts are designed for both light and strong, that is the feeling exuded by the HX's cabin," said Stuart Norris, interior design director. "There is no point in a cut or appearance - it is an appropriate design that convey beauty through strength."
Strengthening stripped of essence feel, matte olive color was moved inside largely covered with sheet metal panels. The color is accented with pressed or extruded aluminum components, such as handles, switches and other necessary components.
To promote the aviation industry is a powerful instrument panel, which is used to view, extruded aluminum cross-vehicle beam up. Beams, instrument panel and other vital controls are mounted on, and also has a unique, removal top cover that provides significant storage capacity.
"The equipment is part of the style of HX, and remove the top cover reveals a secondary design that enhances the design of vehicles is the basic ethic," said Norris. "When the lid is removed, the interior design to convey the essence even more fundamental - and the underlying structure of the coverage is nice for those who appreciate finely crafted metal."
A rubber floor and ballistic nylon-material covering the instrument panel and other interior components reinforces the functional aesthetic.
Like aircraft seats, the HX seats are built on a lightweight framework with minimal components that have holes strength improves lighting and appliances or triangulations. They are mounted on exposed, aircraft-style tracks and trimmed with a waterproof neoprene material.
The HX seats four, a pair of bucket-type seats in the second row. The rear seats mimic the front seats can be removed from the design and generate more cargo space. All seats have four-point racing style seat belts.
The place inside track on both front seats is below the outer edges of the visible in the center console. The console offers exceptional storage capability and houses a single rate that mounts low and out of the way in which the car is parked - also hiding from view the button to start the engine. And 'spring lid that opens when the pilot is ready to select the gear.
The console also houses a place to relax phones, MP3 players and iPod or iPhone. In fact, there is no conventional radio HX-only speakers. Passengers can connect an iPod or similar device, the USB connector to play music in the HX.
"From the console compartment behind the seats, it's just a myriad of storage possibilities within the HX," said Norris. "It 's like a four-wheel backpack that's already equipped with the necessities."
Indicators and tools
The "cut circles" motif of the exterior is seen even within the HX, as the dashboard, air vents, instrument panel, and even the steering wheel carry the design element.
A three-element gauge cluster - each of the three instruments "pods" carries the cut-off circle design - delivers crucial driver information in either a road or off-road mode. This conceptual reconfigurable gauge layout uses LCD screens with multiple configurations, including a navigation system. The navigation system features GPS and compass, and is designed to download information course before going on tour.
The center pod houses a speedometer and evaluate tachometer, but changes to an angle indicator of the wheel when the transmission is in low position. This change in mode off-road from the highway mode gives the driver information that is most relevant to the conditions of the driver. Track View of a camera mounted in the rearview mirror can be displayed on the dashboard, too.
Features Off-road mode of the instrument panel is almost HX tools, while others are mounted for physical use, including a folding shovel, flashlight and a first aid kit. They all wear the "clipped circle" design motif found in the car.
Ready for rocks, trails and much more
With its compact dimensions, almost does not protrude and stick 35-inch tires, the HX is ready for any terrain. Like all HUMMER production models, the HX has sturdy, body-on-frame construction, which is mounted independent front and rear suspension.
The front suspension features an electronic stabilization of the bar off more maneuverability when driving off-road and rear suspension is located with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machined, billet trailing arms. Robust to shocks with piggyback reservoirs were custom made for the HX by the clash of races known producer of Fox: one mounted on each wheel position.
Low armor kit, including a front skid plate, powetrain protection and more, protects the HX rock rebels and other potentially dangerous objects. A motorized winch is in the front bumper, and the HX has recovery hooks mounted on the front and rear bumpers, in case their help is needed to dispute other unfortunate off-road situations.
Motivation for the HX comes from. E85 FlexFuel 3.6L SIDI V-6 that is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission is associated with the transmission with the 4WD system to offer exceptional low-speed traction and crawling capability. Four-wheel disc brakes provide confident stopping power.
SPECIFICATIONS
Body style / driveline: two-door four-seat convertible, four wheel drive
Construction: welded steel frame, galvanized steel
Engine Type: 3.6L V-6 VVT (variable valve timing) with spark-ignition, direct injection
Displacement (Cu / cc): 217 / 3564
Bore and stroke (mm / in): 3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material: sand-cast aluminum with cast-cylinder liner
Material Cylinder head: cast aluminum
Valve train: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT)
Power supply: high-pressure direct 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: E85 ethanol or regular
Suspension:
front: independent SLA, custom coil-over shocks Fox Racing, 2-in shocks, springs from 2.5 to
Rear semi-final link, coil-over shocks Custom Fox Racing, 2-in shocks, springs from 2.5 to
Suspension Travel (in / mm):
Front: 9 / 228
rear: 11 / 279
Brakes: four disc brakes Brembo 6-piston (front), Brembo 4-piston (rear)
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): 15 x 1.25 / 381 x 31.75
Size and type of wheel: 20 inches x 9 inches
Tires: 35 inch custom Bridgestone Dueler
Wheelbase (in / mm): 103 / 2616
Overall length: 171 / 4343
Overall width (in / mm): 81 / 2057
Overall height (in / mm): 72 / 1829
Track (mm / in): 67 / 1702 (front) 68/1727 (rear)
Minimum ground clearance front (mm / in): 13 / 320
Angle (degrees): 56
Starting angle (degrees): 51
Break Over (degrees): 25
Capacity of the year (percent): 60
Side slope capability (percent): 40
Fording water capacity (in / mm): 24/610 (5 km / h)
Seats: 4
