GM's Hummer HX: where Halo and E85 meet

We're guessing some nasty memos have been getting passed around at Hummer headquarters lately since consumers have been going ga-ga over fuel efficient vehicles. Something along those lines may explain a concept vehicle introduced by the company at this year's Detroit Auto Show: a smaller, lighter, and E85-capable new SUV dubbed the Hummer HX. GM CEO Rick Wagoner lauded the domestically-produced ethanol-based fuel used in the new design, which rings a number of Halo bells, not unlike the Jeep Renegade concept we've seen recently. The sport-utility rocks a slew of unique features, including an armored underbelly, customizable LED displays, removable fender flares and roof, and lack of a radio or CD player (it's only got an iPod dock). Of course, the car is just for show right now -- but maybe it's a sign that the age of fuel-guzzling Hummers is coming to a close... nah, probably not.

[Dave @ Jan 14th 2008 8:34AM]

Awesome.

[Paul Stamatiou @ Jan 14th 2008 8:59AM]

I'm at NAIAS and was there for the unveiling of the HX. I got to speak with David Rojas, one of the designers behind the HX as well as Bob Lutz and I definitely got the sense that the HX is where GM/Hummer will be headed, especially with their move to smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. (see coskata ethanol partnership).

[Michael @ Jan 14th 2008 9:17AM]

I have an H3 and i'd love to see this as a production model with little/no change from the concept. It's amazing!

[magellan @ Jan 14th 2008 9:19AM]

Can't Hummer do anything without copying Jeep?

http://car-news.roadfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/jeep-trailhawk-concept.jpg

[rick @ Jan 14th 2008 10:03AM]

GM designers will take exception to your comment. The only thing copied off the Jeep is the grille. Anyone can see they were trying to copy the FJ Cruiser this time.

[Charlie Calhoun @ Jan 14th 2008 11:07AM]

I agree with rick, the Jeep doesnt seem to have a removable roof, and the first thing I noticed was the fenders, Jeep's rear ones were significantly lower than the front, whilst the Hummer's were equal...

[StrangeBum @ Jan 14th 2008 9:20AM]

'Lack of a radio or CD player'

What the hell?!? Why would they do that? Not every single person on this planet owns an iPod. I know that the general consensus does and that there are always third-party stereos to install into your vehicle. But I just don't get why they would so blatantly alienate anybody that loves their music, especially while driving, but do not own an iPod.

Ugghh...I just don't understand the whole iPod business, it's so trendy, and for what? Where's my Zen at? I need to listen to some music to calm me.

[Elevator @ Jan 14th 2008 9:22AM]

concept vehicle. relax.
you won't buy one anyway.

[Temmink @ Jan 14th 2008 10:50AM]

Maybe they plan to sell the car with an iPod? Not really that far fetched is it?

[doyouflip @ Jan 14th 2008 11:51AM]

Although it says "iPod dock", I'll bet it's audio line-in for any player. If I'm wrong Elevator's got a good point.

[PDubNYC @ Jan 14th 2008 12:17PM]

It doesn't even say iPod dock. It says "instead featuring a simple USB port for an iPod or other MP3 player" which this fine editor somehow turned into iPod dock.

I am sure this is just for the concept, and that it will have standard niceties if/when it becomes a reality. People should read the source articles anyway, but with some of these editors, that goes double as they seem to get info wrong quite frequently.

[BigD @ Jan 14th 2008 12:35PM]

Not to mention...an ipod doesn't have a radio to speak of. What happens when you need some real time information on the road? Or have a lady or baby in the car that you don't want rocking out to NIN or lyrically explicit tunes that are omnipresent on your iPod?

I guess you either have to make it generic usb connection for Zune or Creative players (those have radios, right?) and include a navigation system with realtime traffic and road condition updates.

Maybe GM should get down with Microsoft Sync....or something like it.

[Spyvie @ Jan 14th 2008 12:44PM]

A 4wd vehicle without an AM radio is absurd, but this is just a concept.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jan 14th 2008 9:24AM]

Holy jebus. I have the urge to sign hummer owners up for the beating of the week, because those things are SO FRIGGIN STUPID.

But that thing?

That's hot.

I feel so dirty for saying that. But that is hot. If it was a fuel-cell vehicle, I'd want it.

[Hax Or @ Jan 14th 2008 9:51AM]

Hummer lovers are obscene.

[UK @ Jan 14th 2008 9:30AM]

last week called and wants its news back.

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

[Sam @ Jan 14th 2008 9:30AM]

Looks like an FJ cruiser, may as well be, if it ends up being made thats basically what it'll be.

[wesg @ Jan 14th 2008 9:32AM]

My thoughts exactly.

[SteveMB @ Jan 14th 2008 3:31PM]

This should not be called a Hummer. The H2 and H3 shouldn't be called a Hummer as well. Just like Caddyshack 2 shouldn't have been called Caddyshack. The only real Hummer is the H1.

[Denver_80203 @ Jan 14th 2008 9:37AM]

If they may a hybrid I'm in!

[KR @ Jan 14th 2008 9:45AM]

Anyone else think it's funny that GM's CEO is named Wagoner?

[apeguero @ Jan 14th 2008 12:29PM]

You beat me to it! Now that's a fitting name for a CEO of a company if I ever saw one :)

[Ken @ Jan 14th 2008 9:55AM]

E85 is for chumps. With gas prices going higher, why would I want to run on something that is going to be more expensive, weaker, and less efficient?!

GM is stupid for not further developing diesel powerplants to take advantage of biodiesel.

[Billy @ Jan 14th 2008 10:01AM]

FUH2

[huygir @ Jan 14th 2008 10:26AM]

No kidding! I saw the picture before reading the words and thought it was the next-gen FJ. I have a lifted one in my driveway right now, and they could be brothers. Who would have thought that Hummer would stoop to copying Toyota designs?

But, credit where credit is due... that thing looks awesome and I would definitely drive it. It's smaller than my FJ, so I guess I can turn that over to my wife as the "family car" and get me one of these ?!?

[Dan S. @ Jan 14th 2008 10:07AM]

I think it looks like a Puma.

[doyouflip @ Jan 14th 2008 11:51AM]

Stop making up animals. We're calling it a warthog.

[Christian Torkelson @ Jan 14th 2008 12:50PM]

Are you sure? What about bigfoot? Unicorn? Sasquatch? Leprachaun? Phoenix? Or what about that Mexican lizard, eats all the goats?

Chupathingy, how about that? I like it, got a riiiing to it.


On topic though. (not aimed at anyone specific.)

The only thing that makes it look like an FJ Cruiser is the general size and the similar front windshield. However the flat forward facing front windscreen has also been a trademark design element in all Hummers, you cant say that just because it looks slightly similar that it is a blatant knockoff. If that were the case than every 4 wheel car might as well be a copy of some sort to you.

About the audio. It does not have a traditional radio/cd player rather it has a usb port that you can connect any player into. It does not have an iPod dock.

About the engine. Just because an engine is capable of running on e85 does not mean its mandated. Its pretty cheap to equip vehicles to have the option of running on e85, so why wouldn't GM throw it in? I look at it as an intermediate step, or a sleeper step that is used to provide alternatives to regular gasoline while they dump money into funding for electric hybrids and fuel cell vehicles like the volt or Equinox Hydrogen concept. In addition GM has put a lot of research and funding in finding ways to produce e85 through other non food ways. What would happen if they found a way to produce e85 out of trash? http://www.news.com/GM-invests-in-trash-to-ethanol-start-up/2100-13833_3-6225783.html

Simply put GM is on the right track in a lot of ways. And if smaller, lighter, and more fuel efficient in Hummers case isn't the right way than I don't know what is.

[Steve Jobs @ Jan 14th 2008 10:25AM]

E85 is useless...85% ethanol 15% gas and 25% less efficiency...Yes it does burn cleaner, but its just as expensive if not more so than gasoline when factoring in decreased efficiency as well as government subsidy. E85 is not a viable alternative fuel for the long term.

Someone may point out that E85 can potentially be more efficient than gasoline if automakers could optimize the engine for E85, but that can't be done unless you're willing to drive on nothing but E85.
(Gasoline cannot be used in an engine optimized for E85 see: comparison to gasoline http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85)

Read for yourself:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/news/2006/ethanol-10-06/overview/1006_ethanol_ov1_1.htm

[Robert @ Jan 14th 2008 10:27AM]

First, I think it looks great. Second, hasn't everyone figured out yet that E85 isn't fuel efficient? The energy consumed to make it is prohibitive and the mpg on the stuff is horrible. Something like 30% less fuel economy. I'm not trying to convince anyone, do your own research. It will not be the biofuel of the future if we are lucky.

[John @ Jan 14th 2008 3:57PM]

Amen!
nevermind the farmland that has to be dedicated to fuel production rather than food (especially a conern when you're talking about farming in developing countries where farmed food shortages could become an issue).
Oh, and monocultured farming never caused problems...really....oh wait...

[nmmalone @ Jan 14th 2008 10:37AM]

Toyota could call it the FJ-X. I thought of the FJ-Cruiser at first glance.

[NNTPgrip @ Jan 14th 2008 10:51AM]

They copied my FJ. Looks meaner. Almost makes you want the thing until you remember it's made by GM.

[Jaymez @ Jan 14th 2008 11:05AM]

I still want a Humvee. Not a watered down HUMMER (the correct spelling is in all caps).

I agree about E85. It's for chumps. Lesse, 85% the power of gasoline so no you need to use more to go farther. Don't the eco pussies want to decrease consumption?

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 14th 2008 11:33AM]

The problem I have with e85 is the use of corn. Corn is used in a lot of different foods, High Fructose Corn Syrup replaces sugar in a great many products and corn is used to feed practically every animal. If you burn the supply of corn, you increase the price, bringing food prices up with gas.

[Kamal @ Jan 14th 2008 11:14AM]

One cannot even find E85 anywhere except for a few select places around the country.

I recently went to get gas (in CA) and the suv that had filled up before me had paid almost $120 to fill up it (I am guessing it was a full fill up). Sucks for suv owners. HAHA!

I own a Honda Civic (not hybrid) and paid no more than $80 a month for gas.

[vicM @ Jan 14th 2008 12:06PM]

where would u mount the gun?

[Brian @ Jan 14th 2008 3:44PM]

HAHAHHAHA!

Anyhow, this is the first Hummer I've loved. Wow...

[Chris @ Jan 14th 2008 3:39PM]

Why are they even bothering with E85 (not to be all hippie like) but seriously they should just put a hydrogen V8 in that thing.

[bartoron @ Jan 14th 2008 5:31PM]

Now all they need to make it perfect is a customizable faceplate.

[darkally @ Jan 15th 2008 10:08AM]

hm...probably only gets 50 pixels per gallon or whatever the conversion of 10 mpg is to pixels

[Mr. Citation @ Jan 15th 2008 10:35AM]

If it flips over, you can just press "X" return it to its upright position.

[CanCar @ Jan 31st 2008 10:12AM]

At some moment ethanol is going away to produce in our backyards and will move to the gasoline. it is easy to make it and the instructions on how ethanol is made can be found on the Internet. The by-products generated in making ethanol can either be further processed to obtain more ethanol or sold as animal feed. howisethanolmade.net

[Hummer hx @ Apr 11th 2008 2:10PM]

yes this is where halo and reality meet

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Car_Shows_and_Concept_Cars/Concept_Cars/2008_HUMMER_HX_Concept.S283.A13735.html