cars news 10: VLF Automotive X-Force Concept is a Chevrolet Colorado With a Hummer Halloween Costume

Henrik Fisker has designed some gorgeous cars, such as the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin V8. Shortly thereafter he got into the re-bodying biz with Fisker Coachbuild, doing full-body makeovers for the Mercedes SL (Fisker Tramonto) and BMW 6 Series (Fisker Latigo CS). These days he’s gotten back into that business as the “F” in VLF Automotive (Bob Lutz is the “L”), re-bodying Dodge Vipers as VLF Force 1s, Mustangs as VLF Rockets, and nose-jobbing and engine-transplanting his own Fisker Karma as the VLF Destino V8. VLF Automotive brought its wares to the Detroit show and is using the opportunity to gauge customer interest in a mean-looking SUV concept it’s considering putting into production at its Auburn Hills, Michigan, facility.

The X-Series is a re-bodied Chevrolet Colorado crew-cab short-box truck designed to evoke memories of the late, great Hummer brand. The redesign trims 15.7 inches from the Colorado’s overall length, with a bit more coming off the rear than the front. This trim, a suspension hike, and larger 20-inch wheels and 35-inch tires improve approach/departure angles from 17.3/22.1 degrees to 44.7/48.0 degrees and ground clearance from 8.2 to 11.5 inches. The aggressive flares covering those big tires increase the body width to 82.4 from 74.3 inches. Other off-road kit includes a winch in front and recovery hooks all around. The rear taillamps are borrowed from the current Corvette.

VLF Automotive X Series 2 front three quarter 02

VLF Automotive X Series 2 front three quarter

Officials on the stand were tight-lipped about some of the engineering details, but it appears that the cab remains unchanged, with fiberglass panels affixed to the outside of the doors (including the frames), the A-pillars, and the roof. The defrosted rear glass is still in place separating the rear seat from the cargo area. We presume the entire bed is removed and the shortened rear bodywork is somehow affixed to the cab so as to eliminate the twist that would happen if panels were just fastened to the pickup bed. The front clip is entirely new. The interior is retrimmed with orange dash accents and upholstery inserts.

Some light breathing on the 3.6-liter V-6 boosts output to 308 hp and 275 lb-ft, up from the stock 305/269, but the plaque suggests that a supercharger option might better align the performance with the visual badassery. The placard also suggested a central tire inflation system would be offered, though the concept’s tires had normal Schrader valves, and it’s hard to imagine VLF engineering offset axles like the Hummer H1 used to facilitate this option.

If you love the look of Henrik Fisker’s Hummer Halloween costume for the Colorado, hurry down to the NAIAS and express your interest, or contact VLF at info@vlfautomotive.com.