Hummer HX concept

[haven]

GM plans to show a new Hummer concept vehicle at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. It's called the HX:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/hummer-hx.jpg

The new vehicle is based on the Chevy Colorado pickup, with a significant bob of the rear bed and a slant-back cap. My guess is that the concept will share the Hummer display with the new H3 crew cab pickup, also heavily based on the Colorado. I'd expect a V8 engine in the concept, maybe even GM's new 4.5L diesel, which will appear in 2009 model year.

A vehicle like the HX concept is aimed at buyers who might consider buying Toyota's FJ Cruiser or a Jeep Wrangler JK. The HX would be the only one with a V8, and the only one with a Baja 1000 win (by Rod Hall). It would be great if these three manufacturers decided to compete directly with each other with more extreme off-road models.

Chip Haven

[ntsqd]

I dunno, to say that an HX has a Baja win when it has nothing in common with the design that does is like saying that a Supra has won Baja (Stewart). :)
Advert hyperbole......
And I know it wasn't yours......

Still, it will be interesting to see what it's production appearance is.

[Shovel]

It would be great if these three manufacturers decided to compete directly with each other with more extreme off-road models.


It would be great if these three manufacturers would stop shrinking the size of the windows... how the heck can you drive safely if you can't even see?

(on and off pavement)

[Hunter]

I hear ya there Shovel. I had a chnace to drive a customer's H3 a few times around my shop. I always did think they were a good lookin' ride, but man, its like looking out of a old fort or something. Hard to see. I think after 30 minutes on the trail, I'd have one sore neck from trying to cram my head around too look through the windows.

[Scott Brady]

It would be great if these three manufacturers would stop shrinking the size of the windows... how the heck can you drive safely if you can't even see?

(on and off pavement)

I totally agree. I actually like the H3, but the windows are way too small IMO. Looks good, but too big of a compromise of functionality.

[Bella PSD]

I agree as well. Funny how one small thing like the windows will turn you off on a truck…or the lack of a manually tranny, lockouts or real floor shift 4x4, diesel….Well maybe that’s a few more than one! But out of the H2/3, the 3 seems to be in a better direction.

Looks alot like Toyota's FJ Cruiser. Even the color.

Next...Ford will bring back the Bronco for real this time!!

[njtacoma]

Somebody talks about a new model coming and than somebody else chimes in and says "Hey I saw that disguised on the road the other day, but didn't have my camera, etc..."

Sorry I'm that guy! I didn't know there was a (an?) H3 crew cab coming, but I was on my way to Snow Mountain Ranch (near Winter Park, CO) on Friday during the snowstorm and saw two lightly disguised H3 crewcabs parked behind a store. They were clearly visible from I 70 both white, with "tarp" like disguises on the back - had a cool expo look. I turned to my wife and she had noticed them also.

Sorry no photos had important family time on my mind (tubing, decorating ginger bread houses, crafts, etc) so I didn't even try to change lanes and exit to snap a photo.

Any way I'm sure there are spy photos out there, but they sure looked good at 65mph!

:Wow1:

[viter]

some pics from here - http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots_and_Future_Cars/Spy_Shots_2008_HUMMER_H3_SUT.S178.A10934.html
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/11264_UXJDGPLQRWOBK.jpg
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/11265_GLISDAZUDVRSP.jpg

[viter]

some different ones here from baja - http://jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/2009-hummer-h3t-spotted-at-baja-1000-328100.php

[Carlyle]

Too bad they stopped making real Hummers...

[haven]

I read that the HX will have removable roof panels and doors. The slantback cap will also be removable. That should improve outward visibilty!

Chip Haven

[calamaridog]

I'm torn between loving and hating the H3. Generally, I have little use for GM stuff - my least favorite of the Small 3. I think the H3 is pretty cool, but the small windows and wasted interior space bother me.

And the Baja winning H3 and H3 Alpha are awesome, no matter what the nay-sayers have to say;)

[evldave]

I have an H3 and it's worth every penny. It took a lot of getting used to the limited visibility (and one accidently back-into-the-tree moment), now I have a backup camera and it's much better. Not as good as a car or my wife's JK, but decent. The smaller windows weren't just for looks, there is a significant amount of bracing in case of rollover (gotta be given the truck weighs ~5k lbs loaded).

In stock form, it's almost as good as a Rubi, probably better than an X or Sahara (and way out of the FJ league). Road manners are almost as good as my BMW, very solid, quiet, and comfortable. I don't care much for the limited internal space, but put in a rear shelf, use the cubbyholes wisely and it's as roomy as my old XJ (but not as good as the JK 4 door).

It's a bit underpowered for the weight, but no worse than an XJ (or the JK or FJ for that matter). Gas mileage w/out roof rack is around 18-20 on hwy, 15-16 in town. Add a roof rack and weight and it drops to 15 hwy 13-14 in town. Seems like the engine it really at max stock and start adding and it has a big impact on mileage (not that I bought it for mileage). Note, my wife's JK has been getting 16.5 mixed city/highway, about the same as my H3 when it was stock.

As far as improving the stock version, it's pretty easy to add 35" tires, new front shocks, adjust torsion bars, and you'll have plenty of clearance and a nice ride. Aftermarket parts are ridiculously expensive, so build your own if you can. Not many winch mounts available, and only one decent aftermarket bumper (h2o).

With 2 adults, it's comfortable, add 2 kids and it starts getting cramped, add 2 dogs and it's an adventure. I've been on numerous trips (1+ weeks) fully loaded and it's not the best for a full family. For that, I'd prefer a suburban or other full-size vehicle.

In 40k+ miles I've had nothing wrong with it except an ABS connector under the drivers seat come loose, some squishy brakes (fixed by a bleed) and the lettering coming off the stereo knobs from my wife's fingernails. Not bad for an early 1st run vehicle.

Overall though, it's a great trade-off between comfort and offroadability. It's not too expensive (you can get a used 2006 for around 25k), has fantastic road manners for long trips (I've got at least 10 1k+ mile trips on it & a couple 3k+ mile trips), performs great offroad, is reliable, and can be serviced at thousands of dealerships in the US and abroad (most GM dealerships have access to hummer service manuals and most are off-the-shelf GM parts).

It's a bit small (gonna build a trailer for it so that solves the problem) and a bit underpowered (they have the v8 Alpha out now), but it says something that both my wife and I choose the H3 over the JK for either camping or to the mall...

[maximumrob]

"A bit small and underpowered" applies to Wranglers, too. How 'bout posting up some pics of your wheelin' trips? I'd like to see pics of an off-road-prepped H3, as most of them in Dallas are chromed and sub-woofer'd with low profile tires.

A bunch of us are meeting up at Clayton, OK for several days of trail rides between Christmas and New Year's. I've yet to wheel with a Hummer...please join us!

[evldave]

"A bit small and underpowered" applies to Wranglers, too. How 'bout posting up some pics of your wheelin' trips? I'd like to see pics of an off-road-prepped H3, as most of them in Dallas are chromed and sub-woofer'd with low profile tires.

A bunch of us are meeting up at Clayton, OK for several days of trail rides between Christmas and New Year's. I've yet to wheel with a Hummer...please join us!

Here's a couple, one was camping in California. This was after a day of wheeling w/5 other Hummer owners. Spent the rest of the that week exploring backcountry in Northern Cali/central oregon.

Other pic is a poser parking lot pic, but it was taken on the way to camping in Olympic Nat'l forest. Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.

[Bella PSD]

Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.

That Roof Rack looks fine to me!

Louie

[maximumrob]

Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.


You can wheel with me any time. We can sit around and poke fun at suburban yuppies driving chrome-clad Hummers and teenie bopper girls who only bought a Wrangler because it was cute.

Hey...pass me a beer, I'm thirsty.

[evldave]

You can wheel with me any time. We can sit around and poke fun at suburban yuppies driving chrome-clad Hummers and teenie bopper girls who only bought a Wrangler because it was cute.


lol, I bought my wife a Wrangler (4dr JK) because she thought it was 'cute' - as far as she knows, it's never been offroad ;) Sure beats her driving a minivan and it was a lot cheaper than the Range Rover she really wanted.

[kcowyo]

.... Before anyone flames me for overloading the roof rack, I generally only do moderate offroading when camping, and never get too far off-camber and am extra careful about overhangs.

No flaming here. And there better not be....:ar15:


Yeah, you have some stuff up there but I've run with some fellas who carry even more up top, like this guy.
However, he has more kids than the Osmonds -
http://s170537965.onlinehome.us/KcoWyo/gallery2/d/1702-1/ryan60.jpg

[evldave]

No flaming here. And there better not be....:ar15:


Yeah, you have some stuff up there but I've run with some fellas who carry even more up top, like this guy.
However, he has more kids than the Osmonds -


Yeah, that was a light load...now with 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, there's no room inside for anything but snacks and muzzles (for the kids, not the dogs:) ). I can't find the pictures, but on our 4th of july trip to Tahoe, we had the roof rack fully loaded, a hitch rack hanging off the back (yes, up high over the rear door), a regular hitch rack loaded down, and bike rack hanging off the rear tire. I've also gone on trips trips with 2 people, 2 dogs, sea kayak, 2 bikes, full car camping and backpacking gear (separate sets of gear), 2 spares, blah blah blah...

Of course, that's probably why my big project for 2008 is a trailer. Will be much easier to build a custom trailer than load everything on/off the roof all the time. Should be ready for late summer/fall stuff next year, and will make campinga whole lot easier...

[Shovel]

"A bit small and underpowered" applies to Wranglers, too.

Wha? Must've never driven an old 1980s Montero or Trooper...

[Shovel]

The smaller windows weren't just for looks, there is a significant amount of bracing in case of rollover (gotta be given the truck weighs ~5k lbs loaded).


I don't buy it... Suburbans & Tahoes have decent glass space and weigh just a bit more than H3's

I think H3's have the wee little windows because it makes people feel more like royalty if they can't be seen inside their carriage, and because it fits the visual style of the vehicle's exterior.

A shame, I'd actually have some interest in the platform if its body wasn't so style-over-substance. Same for the FJ's.

[evldave]

I don't buy it... Suburbans & Tahoes have decent glass space and weigh just a bit more than H3's

I think H3's have the wee little windows because it makes people feel more like royalty if they can't be seen inside their carriage, and because it fits the visual style of the vehicle's exterior.

A shame, I'd actually have some interest in the platform if its body wasn't so style-over-substance. Same for the FJ's.

How many mallcrawlers suburbans and tahoes get taken offroad? Granted, the H3s aren't taken offroad as much as a jeep or yota, but it's orders of magnitude more than subs and tahoes.

There was certainly a looks portion to the smaller windows, but the primary function was roof support. I'd much rather have visibility over style any day, but it's a tradeoff I've gotten used to, and overall it's a good vehicle.

[haven]

Photos of the actual HX show vehicle are available now

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/hummerhx2.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/hummerHX1.jpg

It's a bobtail version of the Chevy Colorado pickup, with a V8 engine. Let's hope that GM will produce it. The Wrangler Rubicon needs some competition.

Chip Haven

[haven]

Hummer HX concept vehicle has a good-looking list of specifications. I think a production HX (even with less expensive drivetrain) could be a legitimate alternative to a Jeep JK.

Chip Haven

--------------

Hummer HX specifications

four seat sport utility vehicle

direct-injected gas 3.6-liter V6
304 hp, 273 ft-lbs
runs on regular unleaded

six-speed automatic transmission
full-time four-wheel-drive
locking differentials
Fox remote reservoir shocks

Bridgestone Dueler 35 inch tires on 20 inch rims

13 in ground clearance (?)
approach 56*, departure 51*, breakover 25*

electronic disconnect for antiroll bars

103 in wheelbase, overall length 171 in
81 inch width, 72 in height

for comparison

Wrangler 4 Door
116 in wheelbase, 174 in length,
74 in width, 71 in height

Toyota FJ Cruiser
106 in wheelbase, 184 in length
75 in width, 72 in height

[ujoint]

One thing you can count on is that GM will atleast put a decent motor in it. Well, I take that back, I forgot about the H3.

[Funrover]

Doesn't look as bad as I thought!! Still don't like the windows!! The shock set up is impressive though!!! It kinda reminds me of the old Lambogini 4x4

[pete.wilson]

EvlDave wrote: How many mallcrawlers suburbans and tahoes get taken offroad? Granted, the H3s aren't taken offroad as much as a jeep or yota, but it's orders of magnitude more than subs and tahoes.

There was certainly a looks portion to the smaller windows, but the primary function was roof support. I'd much rather have visibility over style any day, but it's a tradeoff I've gotten used to, and overall it's a good vehicle.


Dave, You make a good point although I don't ever remember hearing that GM designed the Tahoe or Suburban for the relatively small hard-core off-road market. The full size blazer was the last vehicle for any real off road useage. Of all of the American products, only Jeep (and primarily wrangler style) was made for any real amount of off-road useage and now the Hummer has it's offering. All really good off-road vehicles have to be made or modified from an existing vehcile to be really good at off-road, then one must ask "what type of off-roading?" Rocks, mud, sand, family useage, camping, hunting, towing, and the list goes on. I have a slightly modified full size 4X4 suburban setup with mud tires, built for camping & weeklong excursions but it's no rock crawler but it does serve my purpose very well (except for maybe gas mileage these days, who cared when gas was a buck a gallon). Long live the after market!


P.S. Before I forget. The hummer concept looks like a redesigned Jeep Hurricane only with a single engine. I don't think Hummer will ever have the aftermarket following that Jeep has!

Pete

[ckkone]

More:

http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2524/

[Railvan]

With more head room and storage room, it could be OK...

Brian

[Ron B]

EvlDave wrote: How many mallcrawlers suburbans and tahoes get taken offroad? Granted, the H3s aren't taken offroad as much as a jeep or yota, but it's orders of magnitude more than subs and tahoes.
Pete

Toyota's been making great trucks since the early 60's, Jeep even longer. With so many used vehicles out there to choose from, of course you see more. AMG only started selling hummers in '92 (11,800 hummers civilian hummers made) and the h3's have only been out for 2 years. Give 'em time and you'll see more in the dirt.

rb

[toyrunner95]

i like that thing, i work for GM and i havent heard a thing about it. but if its a decent price i would buy one! thats an awsome concept.

[Life_in_4Lo]

It would be cool to have the H4 & also the Hummer pickup truck (since Jeep refuses to make the cool Gladiator)

I guess the H4 will look more like this in production- sorry for the crappy ps
http://homepage.mac.com/paintlab/.Public/h4.jpg

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7964/hummerh3tconcept2003005zi8.jpg