GMC Hummer X concepts reveal potential Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator competitors

At the opening of GM's new advanced design centre in Pasadena, California, the company unveiled the GMC Hummer X ute and SUV concepts.

Both concepts are significantly smaller than the existing 5.0m-long GMC Hummer EV SUV, and the 5.5m-long GMC Hummer EV pickup.. 

GM insists the concepts are "not intended for production", but rather a "testbed for new technologies, new aesthetics and new ways to build community around adventure".

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Given the company's lack of rugged SUV vehicles positioned below the 5.3m Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon twins, it's not hard to imagine something like these concepts making it into production to give the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator and the Ford Bronco some extra competition.

Measuring 4783mm long, 1853mm wide, 1853mm tall, and riding on a 2946mm wheelbase, the Hummer X SUV concept is only a few millimetres off the Jeep Wrangler's length and height. The GMC is, however, 20mm narrower and has a 61mm shorter wheelbase.

With its short overhangs and 334mm ground clearance, the SUV concept has a 44-degree approach angle, 46-degree departure angle, and 30.9-degree breakover angle. The Hummer X SUV rides on 18-inch beadlock wheels with 37-inch Goodyear 315/75 tyres.

The Hummer X Truck is a much larger beast at 5265mm long with a 3319mm wheelbase. Ground clearance is dropped to 316mm, while the approach angle (41.5 degrees), departure angle (29.7 degrees) and breakover angle (24.9 degrees) are much reduced.

It rides on 22-inch alloy wheels with street-focussed 35-inch Goodyear 305/55 tyres. Both concepts have Multimatic shocks, plenty of underbody protection, and removable fender flares.

They also have a scout drone that can fly ahead, scan the terrain, and feed that data back into the car's stackable series of screens.

The concepts are designed to be highly configurable, both during the production process and afterwards. The conceptual Flex Fab production process is said to enable "fast, small-batch, on-demand production" of certain components without the need for specialised stamping tools.

As part of the design's team sustainability brief, many parts are made from a single material that can be easily recycled, and are locked into place with mechanical fasteners instead of adhesive. Other components, such as the seatbacks, head restrainer backs and dashboard ends, are made from recycled car bumpers, and can be easily removed, swapped and replaced.

For a little bit of whimsy, the floor mats have a Morse code imprint, and the tyre tread allegedly spells out "the courage to get lost leads to new discoveries".

Although both Hummer X concepts are EVs, GM hasn't provided any details about power output, battery size or estimated range.

Given EV demand has flatlined in the US since the end of federal tax credits last year, it's likely any production version of the Hummer X concepts would have a petrol-engine option.

MORE: Explore the GMC showroom