It looks like they've flattened out the hood.

 

Thats what I saw also. And the edges of the hood are more square. I just don't care for it.

 

Maybe preps for a cowl?

 

With a flattened hood, no grille crossbars, and sharper creases, it's starting to look like a Dodge Ram pickup front end.

Steve

 

Or even closer to a Durango. Since day one I thought the HHR kind of looks like a mini Durango and it looks like it's getting closer.

 

Someone else I spoke with a few weeks ago said the same thing about it looking like a mini-Durango.

 

Agreed. Looks like a new grille with the lowere bumper of the test mule...SS worthy though

 

I think its a bit ugly compared to how they are now, wonder if they are trying to fit that intercooler in and having to change things up.

 

No offense to anyone here but the hood isn't different on this pic. The only thing making it look squared off is the light and shadow making a hard line. This makes the hood look edgier. Look at the other side of the hood. Its still rounded off. This is just a visual effect set off by the angle that the pic was taken from. Sorry to burst any bubbles but the only thing different is the grill and lower opening for the FMIC. Those that don't agree oh well. Everyone is entitled to their opinion no matter how wrong they are. Kidding! Just take another look and you'll see what I am talking about. The far side hood is just as round as ours. No edges. Just light and shadow. Probably doesn't help that the pic is of a white HHR and they are hard to see curves on.

 

I don't like it much myself...makes it look too trucklike. I prefer the softer, rounder look like we have now. I've also have had people call it a mini-Durango...and I see more of a resemblance to that, especially the taillights.

I snagged the photo and uploaded it to my photobucket account.