HX Hummer concept for Detroit

The 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will host the unveiling of the HUMMER HX, a compact, nifty styling exercise aimed at indicating where the macho American SUV brand is headed for the future.

The styling of the HX concept was by three young college freshmen, David Rojas, Min Young Kang and Robert Jablonski, who worked under the guidance of design studio director Carl Zipfel who set basic guidelines such as wheelbase, approach and departure angles, and stance.

With the brief to come up with a design that was "fun, nimble and innovative", the youthful team drew from established themes to create an open-air off-roader with removable roof panels front and rear, along with a fastback roofline and removable mudguard flares -- themes that will be recognisable to those familiar with rival brand Jeep's iconic Wrangler.

Not much more has been revealed about the substance of the HX, except its role as a "compact" SUV contender, making it presumably more RAV4 than Wrangler in size.

The company says the zippy HX will be E-85 FlexFuel capable, although no indications of the engine that will be used are given.

HUMMER's first model for Australia, the five-cylinder petrol engined H3, began deliveries in October 2007 and 192 vehicles had been collected by local customers at the end of November.

The H3 claims full off-road capability with a two-speed transfer case and working-class suspension using an independent front end along with a live rear axle.

The larger, US-market H2 model chosen by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger is not currently sold here, partly because it is not built in right hand drive.

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