2010 Oshkosh Light Concept Vehicle Design

The new 2010 Oshkosh Light Concept Vehicle Design, that's a diesel hybrid Light Notion Automobile (LCV) in the Oshkosh Severe Racing group competing while in the 43rd working with the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. "Light" within this case is relative, obviously. Oshkosh builds a big range of bigger devices, ranging from fire trucks to rigs able to hauling approximately 70 tons.

Now, the Oshkosh outfit failed to win the function. In fact, just one of its two entries finished, and it had been six and a fifty percent several hours also late to be scored. It was, however, an chance to view how Oshkosh's ProPulse hybrid technique would hold up to the rigors of off-road abuse. In that department the race was a good results.

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Hummer HX Concept Car

Small. Nimble. Modular. These are adjectives that would never be used to describe Hummers, until now. GM's tough, off-road brand is facing something of an identity crisis as the public's love affair with jumbo-size SUVs wanes in the wake of rising gas prices. A production model based off of the HX Concept you see here could be key for GM if it wants to keep Hummer alive as a viable, volume brand.

At 171 inches long, the HX is shorter than the H3. Its 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 (which is making the rounds in multiple GM vehicles) is tuned make 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque - more than the H3's I-5 - and is E85 capable. The gearbox of choice is GM's 6L50 six-speed automatic, and there's a full-time 4WD system with a locking center differential. Stopping power comes courtesy of massive 15-inch Brembos on all four corners, with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston ones in the rear. The binders are hidden behind 20-inch wheels wearing custom 35-inch Bridgestone Dueler tires.

The suspension is no slouch either. Fox Racing coilovers with 2-inch shocks and 2.5-inch springs support the independent front and rear suspensions -- though the lack of solid axles is sure to make purists balk -- and also provide plenty of wheel travel (9 inches in front, 11 at the rear) and ground clearance (13 inches). HX also has impressive approach (56 degrees) and departure angles (51 degrees). It can handle a 60 percent grade, 40 percent side slope, and ford two feet of water while seating four. To protect important bits underneath, the HX is fitted with a full underbody armor kit. Other heavy duty off-road equipment includes front and rear recovery hooks and a power winch on the front bumper.

GM points out that the HX was designed by a trio of young designers and it shows. While unmistakable for anything other than a Hummer, the HX looks like it belongs on the battlefield of a video game or a sci-fi flick with a laser turret in the back. There's more to the HX than meets the eye, however. Its Hummvee-inspired slant-back rear roof can be removed, converting it into a Chevy Avalanche-esque SUT, or replaced with a traditional square wagon-like unit. The center roof is removable as well, as are the doors and fender flares, which has been a staple of the Jeep Wrangler since the dawn of time.

The inside is a minimalist take on a traditional Hummer interior. The seats are designed to be compact and lightweight, and all four are fitted with a four-point harness. Aluminum is used throughout the aircraft-inspired interior, with carpeted flooring making way for a rubber coated setup. There's no stereo present, just speakers and a USB connector for MP3 players. The three-pod gauge cluster uses LCD screens that can display multiple layouts and has two modes - highway and off-road -- with the main difference between them is that the center pod transforms from a speedo/tachometer into a wheel angle indicator. The cluster also serves as a navigation system and compass.

Does the HX foreshadow the long-talked-about H4? It's likely. The H4 is not expected to arrive before 2010, giving GM ample time to come up with a conventional interior and a softer, more consumer-friendly suspension for those more interested in pounding pavement than dirt or gravel.

Hummer HX Concept

TheThree new GM designers - David Rojas, Min Young Kang and Robert Jablonski, were given the opportunity by the American carmaker to create a concept vehicle for the Hummer brand that will debut at the 2008 Detroit Show in January. According to GM’s press release, the E-85 FlexFuel capable HUMMER HX “embodies the off road spirit of HUMMER in a fully customizable package”.

Among other features, the HX gets a pair of removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger and a modular, removable rear roof assembly enabling a quick conversion from closed vehicle to open vehicle SUT
In its final concept form, the E-85 FlexFuel capable HUMMER HX embodies the off road spirit of HUMMER in a fully customizable package. The HX offers an open-air driving experience via a pair of removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger and a modular, removable rear roof assembly enabling a quick conversion from closed vehicle to open vehicle SUT. It also features a slant back assembly with removable doors and fender flairs.

“Working as a team, you realize it’s more than one person influencing the vehicle,” said Rojas. “You can see the inspiration from each of our designs in the final concept vehicle. We’re all proud to have the chance to see our sketches become reality.”