The following renders show the rear end designs for my Mjolnir concept. My primary aim was to try something new and allow for a useful setup for off-road purposes. I also wanted to create something unique for the GMC brand, which has never had anything that stood out with their tailgate designs. In reality, it does not matter, but I wanted to go that extra step, partly because I doubt General Motors will do the same to add some additional levels flair to their often conservative designs.
This sketch shows the initial idea: a wide wedge with small horizontal taillights (compared to the usual vertical designs used on today's trucks), and an armored bumper that has rear tow hook connections, a built-in winch, and corner steps like the current General Motors full-size trucks. The tailgate is a traditional setup, but it offers some additional utility on the inside. I will expand on that design further in future sketches. The body panel shaping is also much more aggressive than on any other traditional truck. The panel shaping and the flow of the creases are loosely connected with the front end theme, but also I made those lines and shape taper up and backward, giving a bit of a visual connection with the whole idea of departure angles.
This is the same design as show in the first render, but I made the wedge color-keyed. This look works very well, but I feel the blacked out design can add more substance and flow with the front end, which has a blacked out grille section; in short, I mean a sense of balance.
Just as a quick experiment, I tried a vertical taillight design, which works just as well, but I wished to go back to the horizontal nature of the original design, though I felt even that one could use some work...
I tweaked the original design by taking away some angles and making the shaping much simpler. I also simplified the flow of the creases across the tailgate as well, though the differences are very small. Also, I tapered the rear bumper for absolute maximum departure angle that could be possible from this particular vehicle. I imagine that the exact departure angle for this truck could sit between that of a 2014 GMC Sierra 2500HD and a 2009 Hummer H2.
This render shows an idea of how much the fenders jut outwards. I am not going to carry over that chrome trim in the taillights onto the final design. I wish to avoid anything flashy with this truck at all costs. This truck also, albeit loosely, shows the sheer amount of grand clearance that can be possible from a portal axle setup.
This render shows the front and rear design from a different angle to show how much the front grille or the rear bumper juts out. The front is rather rounded out, but the front tires will still be very close to the bumper corners, unlike the current GMC Sierra pickups. The rear bumper juts out a bit less than the standard full-size truck. Also, this bumper shows a bit more in the way of shaping and detail.
At the moment, I feel that the basic body design is complete, and now it is time for the interior and details until the final renders. The interior will be focusing on utility and functionality, but also a nice lifestyle feel with some outdoor-style luxury trimmings. The details that I wish to focus on are the lighting, grille pieces, decals, door handles, mirrors, and everything in-between. After that, the more detailed renders will follow!
It is possible that I may go back to my K35 concept to refine it a little further before finishing up the Mjolnir. Having used a much more efficient method of design experimenting with the Mjolnir, I wish to have a second go with the K35. That old design could use a bigger front end and a larger cabin...