Rugged GM 4WD concept looks primed for Hummer
General Motors is thinking rough and rugged with its future EVs.
Under the guidance of former Holden design boss Mike Simcoe – one of the Australians helping shape GM’s transformation – the American automotive giant that has committed to a mostly EV lineup by 2035 has turned to social media to showcase its thinking with a futuristic 4WD.
While there’s no branding on the styling sketch, the compact-looking off-roader looks perfectly suited to the Hummer brand, which is being relaunched as a sub-brand of GMC with a modern pickup truck and Hummer SUV.
While it’s difficult to ascertain from the sketch, the concept’s dimensions and clear off-road intent suggest it’s the sort of car that could compete with the Jeep Wrangler and recently unveiled Ford Bronco, which Ford recently hinted would eventually go electric. – along with an EV Ranger ute. And a design student recently imagined what Toyota’s legendary FJ could look like as an EV.
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Various car makers have already said EVs will be more capable off-road, although in a country the size of Australia there are also the challenges of ensuring the cars remain charged in remote areas.
GM clearly wants it known the futuristic concept is an EV, with a charging cable feeding the mid-mounted charge port and “EV Only” parking stamped on the ground.
If it ever made it to production – there’s a fair chance that radical styling would be toned down somewhat – the GM 4×4 concept would no doubt use GM’s Ultium electric tech and batteries.
A slim strip of wraparound glass helps cement the proportions while rugged wheel arch flairs, exposed chunky tyres and bonnet pads reinforce the rugged look.
A solar panel on the roof could be used for power while camping or adventuring, which is clearly high on the agenda of the unnamed concept.
The sketch was created by Kyle Shin, a GM exterior designer who has focused on Chevrolet throughout his career.
Shin’s LinkedIn page showed he worked on the original Chevrolet Bolt EV and, more recently, the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, a military fuel cell concept.
