Air Hummer? Nike designer turns H3T tires into style statement
12-14-2003, 11:30 PM
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Air Hummer? Nike designer turns H3T tires into style statement
Air Hummer? Nike designer turns H3T tires into style statement
By John McCormick / Autos Insider
Who would have imagined tires as an automotive fashion accessory?
As unlikely as it sounds, General Motor Corp.'s Hummer brand, is presenting tires as functional art on its new H3T concept pickup truck.
Hummer design director Clay Dean involved athletic wear maker Nike in the development of the H3T and the result was the highly unusual colored tread pattern on the concept's tires.
Made by BF Goodrich, the tires feature a red-colored center line that's designed for extra grip. The tires also have gray colored gripper pads inserted into the outer edges.
Dean explains that Goodrich was chosen to work on the tires because of its experience in Europe with colored tires sold for production vehicles. Apparently the European automotive tuner market is featuring tires with colored stripes. I can imagine these will be showing up soon in Los Angeles and other U.S. tuner car hot spots, if they are not already there.
In Europe, manufacturers Michelin and Pirelli are offering tires that are completely colored in shades other than black.
Though the idea of running around on purple Pirellis seems a trifle off-putting, Hummer's Nike connection does make sense.
"Tires and shoes share a common factor -- traction," points out Dean. "And if you play with tread patterns and colors on a shoe, why not on a tire? What we're doing is celebrating the functionality of the tire."
In fact, Dean says, the tread pattern of the H3T tires is carefully designed so as to produce different traction characteristics to suit varied surfaces, depending on the mounting direction.
Clever stuff.
But beyond the functional element, the tires have striking visual appeal. To one observer, the colored pattern seemed to make the tires look lighter and more agile than normal rubber.
Nike's influence went further than the tires, because Dean's team decided to echo the red stripe as a design element within the H3T's cabin. They also used a specially developed Nike fabric for the seat inserts. As well as looking modern, the material helps keep the seats cool in hot weather.
While the interior of the H3T is deliberately simple and gimmick- free, it does feature backpacks that clip into custom designed recesses in the seat backs.
"Everybody has a bag of some sort to carry," Dean notes. "This idea would mean they don't have to leave it on the seat or the floor."
While the intricate colored tire tread patterns might be a stretch for manufacturing, Dean says the integrated backpack concept would be easy to take to market.
Overall, the whole H3T concept has gone over very strongly within the GM hierarchy, especially with vice-president Bob Lutz.
"He loves this concept," adds Dean. "It shows that not every Hummer has to be an SUV or SUT."
Hummer insiders say a production version derived from the H3T is a sure thing. For Dean, the H3T is just one of many proposals he has for the future of the brand.
"I find myself in the enviable position of having too many vehicle ideas that would be wonderful for the brand," he says.
John McCormick is a colist for Autos Insider and can be reached at jmccormick@detnews.com.
By John McCormick / Autos Insider
Who would have imagined tires as an automotive fashion accessory?
As unlikely as it sounds, General Motor Corp.'s Hummer brand, is presenting tires as functional art on its new H3T concept pickup truck.
Hummer design director Clay Dean involved athletic wear maker Nike in the development of the H3T and the result was the highly unusual colored tread pattern on the concept's tires.
Made by BF Goodrich, the tires feature a red-colored center line that's designed for extra grip. The tires also have gray colored gripper pads inserted into the outer edges.
Dean explains that Goodrich was chosen to work on the tires because of its experience in Europe with colored tires sold for production vehicles. Apparently the European automotive tuner market is featuring tires with colored stripes. I can imagine these will be showing up soon in Los Angeles and other U.S. tuner car hot spots, if they are not already there.
In Europe, manufacturers Michelin and Pirelli are offering tires that are completely colored in shades other than black.
Though the idea of running around on purple Pirellis seems a trifle off-putting, Hummer's Nike connection does make sense.
"Tires and shoes share a common factor -- traction," points out Dean. "And if you play with tread patterns and colors on a shoe, why not on a tire? What we're doing is celebrating the functionality of the tire."
In fact, Dean says, the tread pattern of the H3T tires is carefully designed so as to produce different traction characteristics to suit varied surfaces, depending on the mounting direction.
Clever stuff.
But beyond the functional element, the tires have striking visual appeal. To one observer, the colored pattern seemed to make the tires look lighter and more agile than normal rubber.
Nike's influence went further than the tires, because Dean's team decided to echo the red stripe as a design element within the H3T's cabin. They also used a specially developed Nike fabric for the seat inserts. As well as looking modern, the material helps keep the seats cool in hot weather.
While the interior of the H3T is deliberately simple and gimmick- free, it does feature backpacks that clip into custom designed recesses in the seat backs.
"Everybody has a bag of some sort to carry," Dean notes. "This idea would mean they don't have to leave it on the seat or the floor."
While the intricate colored tire tread patterns might be a stretch for manufacturing, Dean says the integrated backpack concept would be easy to take to market.
Overall, the whole H3T concept has gone over very strongly within the GM hierarchy, especially with vice-president Bob Lutz.
"He loves this concept," adds Dean. "It shows that not every Hummer has to be an SUV or SUT."
Hummer insiders say a production version derived from the H3T is a sure thing. For Dean, the H3T is just one of many proposals he has for the future of the brand.
"I find myself in the enviable position of having too many vehicle ideas that would be wonderful for the brand," he says.
John McCormick is a colist for Autos Insider and can be reached at jmccormick@detnews.com.
12-14-2003, 11:31 PM
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12-15-2003, 08:55 AM
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robb m.
robb m.
that truck is cool as hell...and great move on Nike's behalf, to further integrate their brand recognition into daliy life for american yuppies 
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