2003 Hummer H3T Concept

Design collaboration

To complement the H3T's solid structure with a "go anywhere, do anything" aesthetic, GM and Nike designers collaborated on several key aspects of the vehicle's design.

The H3T's tires evolved from discussions between GM Design and Nike Design regarding the question of off-road performance footwear influencing off-road performance tires. The result is the innovative ACG TA tire, which addresses multiple traction environments with sand paddles, traction pads and multiple durometers of rubber defined by different-color breakouts - much like the design of Nike's ACG trail and hiking shoes. BFGoodrich partnered to engineer and build the striking, groundbreaking tires.

Nike's influence on the interior includes the use of its Sphere material on the H3T's seats. The lightweight material, used by Nike in specialized clothing, can cool or warm the body without mechanical means. It also conveys a technical aesthetic that looks perfectly at home in the H3T. The seats also are enhanced by Nike Epic backpacks, which are integrated into seat-back clamshells and released with elastic bungees.

"The Nike collaboration is unique and exciting," said Dean. "It allowed us to share ideas and thoughts, while comparing our design process with a world leader in design innovation. The experience has enhanced the whole H3T project."

HUMMER design language

The H3T's classic proportions reflect its off-road ability, but also symbolize HUMMER's expressive styling - an American design that says as much about driver freedom as HUMMER's off-road experience.

"It's a minimalist approach that conveys purpose," said Dean. "The H3T represents the continual approach to HUMMER's overall design theme - simple in appearance yet strong to the touch. From parts like the door handles to the dashboard details, the H3T looks and feels as if it's been milled from a solid billet of steel or aluminum."

That purposeful appearance is delineated from the HUMMER H1's military roots.

"We evolved the HUMMER design language with the H2," said Dean. "But we're continuing that vision and progressing the brand."

The H3T's purposefully premium interior environment includes a rugged shifter handle that folds completely forward and military-inspired toggle switches for various controls. An altimeter, compass and inclinometer also are mounted on the dashboard.

The technical leather and Nike-designed Sphere seat fabric continue to support the athletic, performance theme of the H3T, as do the chamois, petrol and paprika orange interior colors.

"It's not necessarily a luxury environment in the classic sense - it's a new type of luxury," said Dave Lyon, interior design director for body-on-frame vehicles. "The expression of quality through the use of specific materials conveys a premium look without the use of traditional luxury appointments like wood or leather."

The same goes for the H3T's exterior, which features high-tech, yet durable, LED headlamps and taillamps, an integrated winch and tow hooks, as well as front and rear skid plates that are stamped out of aluminum and joined with side "rock sliders." There also are control arm and rear axle skid plates, along with a carbon fiber skid plate/belly pan, which protects the vehicle when off the road and aids aerodynamic efficiency on the highway.

A brush guard is integrated with the front skid plate and the taillamps have integrated lens protectors. Driving/marker lamps are built into the side-view mirrors.

The exterior colors, Petrol Blue Metallic and Satin Titanium Alloy, fuel the H3T's theme of a rugged vehicle with serious attitude. The forward-opening hood is aided by trigger-operated latches, which integrate into the trademark HUMMER hood louvers. An exposed radiator is another classic HUMMER styling cue and a camera mounted on the hood can be used to record off-road excursions in DVD format.

At the rear, the tailgate features exposed hinges (with integrated gas struts) and cantilevers to provide an unbroken load platform for the bed. The bed is more than 4 feet wide and has very small fender intrusions.

"The H3T supposes a new realm of rugged, yet premium choices for drivers who find larger vehicles don't fit their needs," said Lyon. "With the H3T, a whole new group of driving enthusiasts benefits from the relevance of HUMMER's unflappable capability. There simply is nothing like it in the midsize truck market."

Purposeful powertrain