Word is that between the extra weight of the 6-speed transmission for the platform and the wide torque band that the 5-speed was just as fast, so that's what they went with.

 

Thank you. I drive a close ratio six speed SRT10 and there is no way it would be as fast minus a gear with five being further apart (and it has plenty of torque, too - 525 ft./lbs.) but if the five speed HHR works fine............. ??? I like my wife's HHR LS more than I thought I could and am now getting the SS bug a little...... but with the price of gas coming down, the new Camaro and Challenger look good, too.