Hummer O2 concept brings shame to the nature-terrorizing brand

In a humiliating blow to the once proud, gas-guzzling Hummer SUV, engineers at GM have re-imagined the poster child for environmental apathy as a completely green vehicle that not only leaves a small "footprint" in its wake, but actually promises to give something back to nature as well. Called the Hummer O2 (like the H2, only less toxic), this concept -- which just won the L.A. Auto Show Design Challenge -- incorporates a number of innovative, futuristic features into its oddly-shaped chassis, not the least of which is a "phototropic" body shell that contains algae-filled panels. Yes, you read that right: this Hummer-branded vehicle, made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials, pulls double-duty as a mobile algae cultivation farm, whose photosynthetic waste provides oxygen for both the O2 itself and the surrounding environment; what's more, used algae are employed as biomass to provide partial power. The main power sources, though, are the fuel cells built directly into each wheel (wrapped in adaptable Active Tread tires, naturally), which drive independent hydraulic motors when fed hydrogen from a central holding tank. Unfortunately for all those SUV-loving environmentalists out there (a huge demographic, we're sure), the Hummer O2 is slated to remain little more than a set of drawings for the time being, and we hear that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is already pushing to ban the production of these vehicles for "sullying the reputation that Hummer has worked so hard to earn." Keep reading for a few more pictures...

[Lt_Ladle @ Dec 4th 2006 3:35PM]

A very noble thought and all, but how 'bout spending some R&D on a green car that could conceivably, and economically, be made sometime between now and before its too late?

[Jay T @ Dec 4th 2006 3:43PM]

As an Environmental Scientist, I look at this and say, "Yeah, the Fuck Right!".

[ShogunMaster @ Dec 4th 2006 3:48PM]

I think 'rotting mulch' is a good description of this one. Enjoy the pics boys (if you can) cus this one will never make it onto the road.

[Dan @ Dec 4th 2006 4:00PM]

Well, it's a good thing GM's sales are so strong, otherwise people might think this is a waste of resources.

[asher @ Dec 4th 2006 4:05PM]

It'll be nice to see someone actually make a car that's got a zero imprint. GM won't be that company. This amounts to a good deal of free advert for them. They're just blowing a bunch of hot CO out their asses.

[Eh @ Dec 4th 2006 4:14PM]

GM will make an SUV that doesnt wreak havoc on the environment when my cat's turds turn into Playstation 3's.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 4th 2006 4:17PM]

Here's to hoping your cat's turds sell well on Ebay!

(toast)

[Roderick wilde @ Dec 5th 2006 12:31AM]

This comment totally cracked me up. I loved it. Of course it had to have a semblance of truth to be that funny!

[Kevin @ Dec 4th 2006 4:16PM]

Nice to see GM showing everyone that hybrid cars can be made without making stupid and pointless technology and design considerations...

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 4th 2006 4:20PM]

I do find it interesting that the Vehicle designed to provide an all around good base for weapons and transportation on the battlefield has turned into a Eco-friendly, non-bulletproof "work of art". I'd like to see the military put rocket launchers and a .50 cal turret on that!

[John Doe @ Dec 5th 2006 6:18AM]

Actually this could make for a useful tool on the battlefield. Put this sucker out in front of advancing forces, along with some poor schmuk who has a death wish, it simply wouldn't bas as effective being driven remotely.
The enemy would shit themselves laughing so hard they wouldn't be able to aim straight. Now can we get a stealth bomber designed around this concept vehicle? :-P

[GioNYC @ Dec 4th 2006 4:31PM]

Oh boy!.....The rap community in L.A. could have a field day hooking this thing up!!!!!!!

[Brian @ Dec 4th 2006 4:32PM]

I'd buy that.

[v_dogg @ Dec 4th 2006 4:33PM]

This will never catch on. Why must we "help the earth" through cars? cars should be cars

[3nglish @ Dec 4th 2006 4:52PM]

To v_dogg - I'm no environmentalist, but I would rather have environmentally safe cars for two reasons: One, I can breathe, and two, they are usually much more fuel efficient. Unless you have the money to afford to pay the insane gas prices?

At the article:
'Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is already pushing to ban the production of these vehicles for "sullying the reputation that Hummer has worked so hard to earn."'

I find this hard to believe, because it's ridiculous that anyone would try to stop cars from becoming environmentally safe to protect a company's "reputation."

[Simon @ Jul 16th 2007 7:46PM]

Because if you have to drive one anyway, why not minimise the damage you're doing?

[pudders @ Dec 4th 2006 4:38PM]

Personally I prefer the mud slinging, highway screaming, smog producing version better myself. If you ever get one of these algae farm autos don't get in my way. I would have to turn you and your SUV into a salad. ;-)

[ipodrulz @ Dec 4th 2006 4:44PM]

Heh.. now it'll only pollute as much as a truck...

[Kevin @ Dec 4th 2006 4:46PM]

I'm sick of concepts. Build that shit. I don't care about the earth...but if it saves me money on gas I'd buy it. Want everyone to care about the earth? Make the alternative cheap. You'd be surprised how many people would hug a tree if they didn't have to drop 40 bucks in their gas tank 2 times a week.

[SMS Paul @ Dec 4th 2006 4:46PM]

A real Hummer should be oversized and over gassed, this is a little girls toy compared to the real thing.

[Eric @ Dec 7th 2006 4:55PM]

Can you not recognize sarcasm?

[anon @ Dec 4th 2006 8:38PM]

Have you never read Engadget before? He is obviously joking and being sarcastic.

But Arnold's Hummer is hydrogen-powered, and he is an environmental-warrior (or at least is publicly), so I don't think that's fair to say.

[Brian @ Dec 4th 2006 5:19PM]

Bikes also work well with the environment

Screw hummer, I'm still waiting for my Jeep Hurricane reality.

[Chris @ Dec 4th 2006 5:28PM]

the hell were those guys smokin! the thing's a tinker toy, no way you could make that kind of design survive a 30MPH crash. and the tires, ew! imagine the noise and shaking that would amke when it decides it needs traction on a hard surface. most concept cars at least have some practicality, like drive by wire, or even "wtf" tech that is actualy usefull like 4 wheel steering

[Hewn @ Dec 4th 2006 5:29PM]

Has anyone noticed that this thing looks like a golfball retrieval cart?

[James @ Dec 4th 2006 5:40PM]

Looks like something you might see in Halo 3, but certainly not in the real world. I'd like to know what the drag coefficient is on this thing as it certainly doesn't appear to be good for 'gas' mileage. And those tires? How well would those function in snow?

[Mike @ Dec 4th 2006 6:10PM]

F**k these stupid green car concepts. Only 14% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the USA comes from transportation. When our supreme dictator Bush signs on to the Kyoto Protocol to start putting a real dent in our waste generation as opposed to playing make-believe with U.S. auto makers, then I'll be impressed...

[Eric Leung @ Dec 4th 2006 10:26PM]

well im sorry but 14% out of what the US produces aint exactly little now is it?

[pvilleSE @ Dec 4th 2006 6:43PM]

No matter how small the percentage of emissions come from cars its still something we can easily do. Every other major country in the world forces its car companies to make cars that get better gas mileage, which not only saves us and the environment by polluting less but also save the environment and save you some cash by consuming less non-renewable recourses.

Also for those of you bashing GM (I'm no GM fan myself) but the fact is that GM is working towards being the first to release every gasoline car they produce with the capability of running 85 ethanol which if the owners of these cars ran the ethanol would significantly help the environment not to mention we could make the ethanol with US resources helping the US farmers out rather than the big oil companies.

[E. Coli @ Dec 4th 2006 6:43PM]

Congratulations, low-brow posters. If there was a design award for impeded neuronal function, you would all win.

Concept cars are just that - concepts. You and your inbred family will not be the ones screwing nuts on bolts as these roll off assembly lines any time soon. They are meant to provide new insight into common problems and stimulate work and discussion in multiple engineering fields. At most, concept cars will showcase one or two emerging technologies that could hope to find application in transportation (and often, other areas) in the near future.

Ask someone what a dictionary is. Go buy one. Look up "concept". Christ...

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 4th 2006 7:46PM]

Nah, we've already covered that whole "Christ" concept. It spawned several religions bent on the destruction of each other then eventually everyone will/has figured out it was all just a concept and will never make it to production.

[Tu Le @ Dec 4th 2006 7:46PM]

For all you gas-guzzling, parking nuisance SUV drivers out there...you can drive alongside my 50mpg Prius any day with this design. Respect out to all the "SUV-loving environmentalists out there!" I know you do exist.

[Mischa Lockton @ Dec 4th 2006 8:18PM]

I am pretty glad I don't have children when I see stuff like this. We need solutions not B.S. from the WORST suv makers of them all.

[david yoon @ Dec 4th 2006 8:43PM]

This already exists and has been available for purchase for some time now.

http://www.fair-square.de/upload_shopfairsquare/lego_7471g_4845.jpg

[rockintom99 @ Dec 4th 2006 8:48PM]

Very cool, but not very realistic for a daily commute-to-work kind of car, unlike the original Hummer.

...Wait a minute...

[peshue @ Dec 4th 2006 10:52PM]

There's deffenitly the Hummer spirit in that car. It's ugly as hell and totally impractical. There's some clever thinking in it though.

[weebl @ Dec 5th 2006 8:44AM]

GM should bring back EV1. End of story.

[Christopher Johnston @ Dec 5th 2006 11:17AM]

This things is a concept car. Most concept vehicles are never built. Remember the Dodge motorcycle with the Viper engine. What about the Tonka Ford F250? This thing was never designed to see the light of day. It was a project by some engineers to see what they COULD do if money was no object and there were no real world constraints,like air bags and 5 mph impact standards, and bumpers,etc....

[Dacari @ Dec 5th 2006 11:19AM]

Holy Mary mother of God that is fuggly!!!

[Shane @ Dec 5th 2006 12:26PM]

Wouldn't the O3 (Ozone) be a more suitable name for a Hummer product due to both of their terrible effects on the environment.

[chris jones @ Dec 5th 2006 7:02PM]

To hear so many naysayers makes me sick.
Such a creative concept should be met with less cynacism.
No wonder this country is going to hell in a handbag.

[Torn Rip @ Dec 7th 2006 11:44AM]

Why are people so obsessed with gas prices? I mean - really? I spend more on food a day (yes - coffee and the snack machine count as food - marginally, but still...) than I do on gas. And I drive purely for convenience, not necessity. I also ride my bicycle to work sometimes [not calculated into my gas/food pricing comparison] but purely for the exercise - it's a time savings over driving to work and then spending time at the gym. Try driving in Europe or Canada sometime and then tell me how insane our gas prices are!

Yes - I'm all for increased efficiencies, but I'm not going to drop $30k on a new car that I don't need just so I can save $7 a week. And I really don't get all of this animosity toward the Hummer. The H2 and the H3 get better mileage than a Toyota Tundra (4WD) and substantially better than a Lexus LX 470 and yet people aren't all over the Tundra or Toyota.

Yes - the original Hummer's mileage is less than stellar (I would include the diesel but they don't seem to sell well) but it's no worse than exotic sports car. And fewer Hummer "H1"s are sold per year than Ferrari's are sold per year (roughly 13,000 H1s total in existence - including at least one that I saw in Bristol, England). See wikipedia for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummer_H1. I don't have a reference quickly available for Ferrari sales, but they tend to be roughly 6,000/year in the U.S - that based on my own (potentially faulty) memory.

And yet no one is jumping up and down screaming about those evil jerks at Ferrari (or Lamborghini or Mercedes or Lexus [wait till you see the "F" series from Lexus - i.e., Toyota]). So why all of this animosity toward the H1? Sounds like a biased, religious vendetta to me. Just another fine example of "America Bad" or "GM Bad" while turning a blind eye to the beloved likes of Toyota. I have to wonder how many people who are constantly bagging on GM while wetting themselves over the Prius were on the waiting list for the EV1. In particular, to those few that can say "I was!" to the previous, why didn't you get one in the first two years when GM was sitting with an overstock?

Maybe I just need to have someone hook me up ala "Clockwork Orange" style to a repeating loop of "Me and Roger". THEN I'll understand.

[sendeth @ Jun 17th 2007 12:19AM]

i like the idea of separate engines for each wheel (like the warthog in halo) and absolutely love the wheel design, but the body sucks. it looks like a big cage. if they crossed this with their current h3 or h2, it might actually be a decent vehicle.

i also agree that it is dumb to spend all of this time and money to develop yet another vehicle that we will never see.