&

Detroit Preview: Hummer HX

Hummer Aims Squarely At Jeep

Posted January 8 2008 05:22 PM by seanpholman
Filed under: What's New, Four Wheeling Products, Big 3 & Import News, Hummer, Sean Holman

Unfortunately for the industry of covering vehicles, but not unfortunately for you, the embargo of the Hummer HX concept has been broken. Manufacturers give us details and previews of vehicles months ahead of their eventual introduction, with agreements amongst print and new media on what date the info can be released. Unfortunately when the gun is jumped and our competitors let the cat out of the bag, we have no choice but to remain competitive by breaking the embargo to make sure our readers are in the know.

• Get a Free Quote

• Find a Local Dealer

Last month we were invited out to the Hummer design studio in Detroit to get a first hand look at the HX concept vehicle (and more), a precursor to what you can expect to see with the upcoming H4. It has a more modern look that still is unmistakable Hummer with its taut proportions and upright windshield.

Smaller than the H3, the body-on-frame HX is 81-inches wide with a 103-inch wheelbase, and 35-inch tires. The HX has a configurable top system, removable fender flares and doors, and reservoir shocks. While the suspension is independent at all four corners, the rear is slick trailing arm setup that may or may not make it to production. Suspending the HX are coilover shocks at all four corners and ensuring off-road prowess are front and rear lockers and a 4:1 transfer case. Power comes from a 3.6L DOHC V-6 that runs on E85. The HX benefits from a full-time 4WD system as well as a full complement of skid plating.

We happen to love the HX, and we think it points a clear direction to which seven-slot grille company is really serious about being THE off-road brand. What do you think? Will the H4 be able to take down the stalwart Wrangler? Will you ignore this concept because of the IRS? Does it appeal to your wheeling senses?

We'll have more details next week from the Detroit Auto Show, so until then feel free discuss!

--Sean P. Holman
Tech Editor - Four Wheeler Magazine

Share This

Reader Comments:

(page 1, 2 )

1. Looks like it is aiming squarely at the jeep alright: the jeep patriot. Everything was great until I read independent at all corners. Seriously, what these manufacturers are calling capable these days is down right sad. Do they truely think that my wife's Mazda 3 can not drive down a ungraded road? The thing looks cool, but so does a Z06 Corvette.
Lator....

InstaGator - Posted January 8 2008 07:11 PM

2. wow, and maybe I'll buy that new hummer instead of the new 09 427 ss rs camaro I've been waiting for. LOL
now I see how you knew about the independent suspension, It'll be interesting to find out more about the suspension travel and how well it will really work on the trail, still looks like a yuppie type rig and the jeep what was that.......a hurricane, or something, the twin hemi thing? not something you could run hard and put away wet.

mudb8-. - Posted January 8 2008 07:19 PM

3. It looks wicked cool Sean, I'd love to see more pictures of the rear suspension set up.

Stover - Posted January 8 2008 08:11 PM

4. I have seen the HX in person. I have crawled under it, touched it, kicked the tires, etc. And while this is a concept vehicle, it was built to wheel, literally. I think you'll see this very vehicle in the dirt after the autoshow circuits. I don't think us enthusiasts can continue to lament independent suspension - at some point we are going to need to embrace it because this is where the market is heading. Time to become open-minded and see how it could work for us. And without seeing the long travel suspension in action yet, you might be surprised at how well it works, certainly front and rear lockers are not going to hurt it. I was speaking to a Jeep aftermarket suspension engineer who told me he sees Indy suspension being the next logical step, because he feels the pinnacle of sold axle suspension tech (in the context of a truck working offroad and on) has been reached in the JK, and with current technology probably won't be getting much better. Hummer wants to go head to head with Jeep in the dirt...

seanpholman - Posted January 8 2008 09:34 PM

5. ...but wants to be a better vehicle in fast terrain and on the highway. And they'll continue to try and be the premium offroad brand. The HX is no Patriot, trust me. Lastly, Jeep still has some things coming out from what I hear, but they'll have to be great for us to forget the Compass, Patriot and Liberty. I used to be an IFS/IRS hater too, until I started getting some experience in vehicles with them - if properly designed they can be made to work.

--Sean

seanpholman - Posted January 8 2008 09:36 PM

6. it looks like a truck that can't be had by us joe six packs. how much will something like that cost? i mean even the h1 is still holding close to it's $80,000 base price after how many years?

chariotofmanliness - Posted January 9 2008 04:46 AM

7. The H1 is no longer in production, and actually was over $100,000. The H2 is in the mid-50s, the H3 in the mid-30s, low 40s, and I think you can expect the H4 to match up well, if not a bit higher than the Wrangler, while slotting under the H3. My guess would be high-20s to mid-30s.

--Sean

seanpholman - Posted January 9 2008 10:50 AM

8. I'm sure solid axles (as well as full on frames)from all the manufacturers are near the end (honda ridgeline, ford exploder, expidition etc.) I've had 2 IFS rigs and seen many others as well as mine have major steering issues with just mild wheeling. I may have to get into sports cars cause the truck and station wagon market are only bringing the suck.
Lator....

InstaGator - Posted January 9 2008 03:18 PM

9. I for one really like this thing... or at least the photos of it... it has a very Jeep Hurricane vibe about it. I'm not saying its the same, or looks the same, thats just he vibe I get from looking at it.

FourWheeler Web Editor - Posted January 9 2008 05:34 PM

10. Don't get me wrong, I love the way it looks. I'm just concerned that it will barely be capable enough for the mall, nevermind the dirt.
Lator.....

InstaGator - Posted January 9 2008 06:44 PM

11. Gator, that will not be a concern, I assure you.

--Sean

seanpholman - Posted January 9 2008 09:14 PM

12. Cool, cause you know I love going to the mall hehehehehe
Lator....

InstaGator - Posted January 10 2008 02:15 PM

13. Hmm forward thinking at GM, wonder if and when the bean counters will figure out how much it would cost to pimp it out to the non fourwheeling public out there who would only value it as a Frou-Frou must have, and dummy it down. Do you really think GM will give it up as a non poser???I hope they give pop culture a bypass and give us this AWSUM wheeler,come on Gimmie!!! Think the concept is way overdue,Iknew someone had to have an all IFS wheeler coming,Mr Holman has the pulse ,lets see if Gm can make the ticker go faster1

NaughtyDodge04 - Posted January 11 2008 03:14 PM

14. Looks like another wannabe, wasted crawling around at the mall. It will sell tons to the 24" rims, loud stereo and lots of wax crew. It may be quite capable, but we will seldom see it off road. Sound familiar? ((cough couch)) H1 ((cough)) H2 ((cough)) H3 ((cough))

That negative stigma will keep it relegated to mainstream highway and West Coast Customs circuits and make it an oddity off road. That is fine with me.

jaytee - Posted January 11 2008 06:50 PM

15. the title of this article should be "Hummer aims squarely at Jeep but shoots itself in the foot because it was too busy looking at itself in the mirror"

jaytee - Posted January 11 2008 07:00 PM

(page 1, 2 )

Add a Comment: (Must Be Registered)

User Name

Not Registered?
Signup today

Password

Comment