General Motors opened its new advanced design studio in Pasadena, California, and marked the occasion with the reveal of the GMC Hummer X concepts, highly reconfigurable mid-size EVs in both truck and SUV form.
Focused on conceptual design studies, the Pasadena studio is a key node in GM's global Advanced Design network, which includes studios in Detroit, the UK and Shanghai. It spans 148,000 square feet across three buildings and is fully equipped for full-size clay modeling, fabrication and immersive digital collaboration. The site also employs about 100 team members across design, sculpting, fabrication and artisan disciplines.
Hussein Al Attar has been named the new director of the Pasadena studio. He succeeds Brian Smith, who returns to the Chevrolet Corvette design team in Michigan after leading the Pasadena studio for four years.
General Motors
GMC Hummer X Concept
The studio opening revealed the GMC Hummer X pickup and SUV concept.
Born from a collaboration between GM Advanced Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing and the Advanced Design Pasadena studio, the Hummer X concept, while not intended for production, is a testbed for new technologies, new aesthetics and sustainability.
Reconfigurability
Hummer X concept is made to be configurable, enabled by Flex Fab technology. The system supports fast, small-batch, on-demand production and is designed to function similarly to 3D printing for metal components.
Flex Fab unlocked a new Hummer aesthetic: a clean, flat-topped silhouette with radiused edges, laser-welded seams and visible precision bolts.
The cockpit is equally adaptable, with stackable displays that let drivers tailor their digital experience whether they're rock crawling, trail running or cruising the highway.
Hummer X also features a low center of gravity, extreme on-demand acceleration, 35-to-37-inch Goodyear tires, beadlock wheels, Multimatic shocks, removable fender flares and significant underbody protection.
Sustainability
The concept explores mono-materials, replacing adhesives with snap fits and mechanical fasteners that are envisioned to be fully recycled. Seatbacks, headrest backs and instrument panel ends are made from recycled car fascias and parts are designed for easy disassembly so customers can swap, share and recirculate them.
Hidden throughout the concept are a few Easter eggs. For example, the team's mantra is imprinted in Morse code on the floor and the tire treads spell out "the courage to get lost leads to new discoveries."
General Motors
SUV Specs
- Wheelbase: 2945.5mm (116”)
- Length: 4782.5mm (188.3”)
- Height: 1852.6mm (72.9”)
- Width: 2032mm (80”)
- Approach Angle: 44 Deg.
- Departure Angle: 46 Deg.
- Breakover Angle: 30.9 Deg.
- Ground Clearance: 334.3mm (13.2”)
- Flex Fab Percentage: 57%
- Tires by Goodyear: Rock: 315/75R18 x 9, OD 37”
- Wheels: 18" Aluminum with accent inserts
Truck Specs
- Wheelbase: 3318.6mm (130.7”)
- Length: 5264.5mm (207.3”)
- Height: 1854.4mm (73.0”)
- Width: 2032mm (80”)
- Approach Angle: 41.5 Deg.
- Departure Angle: 29.7 Deg.
- Breakover Angle: 24.9 Deg.
- Ground Clearance: 316.7mm (12.5”)
- Flex Fab Percentage: 57%
- Tires by Goodyear: Street: 305/55R22 x 9.5, OD 35”
- Wheels: 22" Aluminum with accent inserts
