- General Motors made a pair of mid-size Hummer EVs, but don’t expect to see them on the road anytime soon.
- The GMC Hummer X SUV and pickup concepts are the labor of GM’s new advanced design studio in Pasadena, California.
- The EVs were designed as capable rock crawlers with removable fender flares, stackable screens, and mechanical fasteners instead of adhesives.
Everybody knows the big and over-the-top GMC Hummer EV. Well, now there’s a smaller, mid-size duo bearing the Hummer badge, but don’t get your hopes up, as the rugged SUV and pickup you see in these photos won’t compete with the Rivian R2 anytime soon.
The GMC Hummer X SUV and pickup are two brand-new concept vehicles built by General Motors to mark the official opening of its new advanced design studio in Pasadena, California. Billed as a new home for GM’s West Coast design vision, the Pasadena location significantly expands the automaker’s Los Angeles-area footprint with a fully integrated facility that was purpose-built for the next generation of concept and mobility work.
Photo by: General Motors
GM is not beating around the bush here, though. The two GMC Hummer X concepts will not go into production. Instead, they’re a testbed for new technologies, new aesthetics, and new ways to build cars more sustainably.
“Southern California isn’t just a place where we work, it’s a place of unfiltered inspiration,” said Bryan Nesbitt, VP of Global Design, GM. “Film, art, architecture, aerospace, technology, and the remarkably diverse topography create an unparalleled canvas of experiences that drives an incredibly unique vehicle culture. These sources of inspiration influence how our designers see the world to envision what mobility could offer 10 or 20 years into the future, exploring new designs, technology, and experiences for GM customers.”
The SUV and pickup were designed to be as configurable as possible, using new manufacturing techniques and materials that reduce waste. Flex Fab, an on-demand metal production method that’s similar to 3D printing, allowed designers to make small batches of precision parts faster than before, without using specialized stamping tools.
GMC Hummer X pickup concept
Photo by: General Motors
Outside, the concept cars have a pretty aggressive design that screams “Hummer.” Beadlock wheels, Multimatic shocks, 37-inch Gooodyear tires, and serious underbody protection suggest the Hummer X was made with extreme off-roading in mind. That’s nothing new for the nameplate, but this time around, designers did their work with the “builder maker” in mind—people who don’t just drive their cars, they modify them.
As a result, the fender flares can be removed, making room for custom-made flares that could accommodate larger tires. Inside, the seatbacks, headrest backs, and instrument panel ends are made from recycled car fascias, and parts are designed to be easily disassembled so owners can swap and share them instead of throwing them away. What’s more, some parts have snap fits and mechanical fasteners instead of adhesives, making recycling down the line even easier.
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Source: General Motors
Keeping with the customization theme, GM says the Hummer X’s cockpit features stackable displays, enabling the driver to add or remove screens depending on where they’re driving. For instance, two screens can be fitted for distraction-free highway driving, and then five more can be added for off-roading. For the latter situation, a scout drone can be deployed ahead on the trail, feeding real-time terrain data back to the vehicle. Then, when it’s done scouting, it can dock itself.
The Hummer X SUV concept is 188.3 inches long, 80 in wide, 72.9 in tall, and has a 116 in wheelbase. The approach angle is a generous 44 degrees, the departure angle is an even better 46 degrees, and the breakover angle is 30.9 degrees, while the ground clearance is 13.2 in.
The truck is even longer, at 207.3 in, with a 130.7 in wheelbase, a 73 in height, and an 80 in width. The departure and breakover angles are 41.5 degrees and 29.7 degrees, respectively, while the breakover angle comes in at 24.9 degrees, due to the longer wheelbase and lower ground clearance of 12.5 inches.
Both vehicles were designed in the three buildings of GM’s new Pasadena advanced design studio, which spans 148,000 square feet and is fully equipped for full-size clay modeling, fabrication, and immersive digital collaboration. Roughly 100 people work there, bringing GM’s next conceptual design studies to life.
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Source: General Motors