Chevy HHR a chip off the 'ol Suburban block
09-17-2005, 12:21 PM
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Chevy HHR a chip off the 'ol Suburban block
<img src="https://www.chevyhhr.net/news/hhr21.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="2">Chevrolet blends fun and functionality in a retro look with its new 2006 HHR. And it comes at a price many car shoppers are likely to love.
It's far smaller than the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, but Chevy's new retro-style HHR does bear a facial resemblance to the big guy. Chevy wants you to recognize that resemblance.
And it takes some styling cues from the Chevy's hot, racy roadster-pickup, the SSR. Chevy encourages that comparison, too.
But the real comparison many will make is to Chrysler's PT Cruiser. Oh, there is some debate over who came up with the idea first. PT hit the market first, and already is a proven success. Chevy spokeswoman Noreen Pratscher says the HHR, however, has more flexible interior space and more cargo volume.
Fact is, this segment (shall we call it the slightly-odd-but-fun wagon segment?) is real and Chevy is eager to be part of it. And the HHR (which stands for Heritage High Roof) should have no trouble garnering attention in its battle with its retro partners: the PT Cruiser, Honda Element and Scion xB.
Despite the look of a shrunken big ol' Suburban, this HHR has the foundation of Chevy's new compact, the Cobalt.
It is a hoot to drive. Power, too, comes from the Cobalt: an economical 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 143 hp. Step up in trim levels and you get the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that kicks out 172 horses.
OK, it's not what you'd call fast, but it's peppy enough for a good time. And a highway ride will get you close to 30 mpg -- even with the automatic tranny. EPA figures say 20 around town, but I calculated more like 16 or 17.
The ride is quieter than you might expect around town (not that this youth target market worries much about quiet rides). It can be partly attributed to polymer-coated pistons and a double-layer engine cover. Still, at higher speeds the road and engine noise increase significantly.
The HHR has a MacPherson strut front suspension design and semi-independent torsion rear suspension. Two suspension systems are available: The standard one offers a softer ride and 16-inch wheels. The other provides a sportier feel and has 17-inch wheels and monotube shocks for firmer ride and sharper handling.
I found little to dislike about the HHR's overall feel on the road, at high speeds and low. Steering is extremely light-handed and sensitive. Call it ultra power steering. It is a rack and pinion setup and a speed-sensitive system that is tuned to match the two suspension systems.
The clutch pedal also has a very light touch, nice for anyone who thinks clutching is too much work. The shifter, by the way, has a mini spotlight shining on it from above -- part of an interior lighting package. Nice accent, but don't recall ever having trouble finding the shifter.
Cornering was not sports car-like but wasn't cause for panic, either. It is on par with the others and offers confident handling.
Inside, HHR maintains a simple, '40s look with an instrument panel that has a speedometer and tachometer prominently jutting out, and fuel and temp gauges set further back. Darker colors highlight the upper part of the dash, lighter colors below.
An extra glove box with a flip-up cover sits atop the instrument panel for sticking MP3s, cellphones and such inside.
Seats are on the firmer side and could take a toll on longer hauls, especially for us Boomer types. The center armrest can be pivoted out of the way and that is a good thing: I found it unusually cumbersome to shift when it was in the down position. I had it up all week for easier access to the shifter. Perhaps a design tweak is on the way next year?
The cargo area is so versatile that it probably will find a niche as a small delivery van. As AutoWeek magazine pointed out, there is plenty of room for commercial shelving with the rear seat removed. And Chevy, the mag said, is considering a composite panel or film for the rear quarter windows to conceal its 63 cubic feet of cargo space.
Payload capacity is 900 pounds.
For the rest of us, a polypropylene cargo area makes for a versatile and easy-to-clean area. Rear seat backs also are made of the same polypropylene material so, when folded down, the entire floor is durable, flat and ready to abuse and clean up.
The passenger seat even folds flat to make room for an eight-foot kayak -- and, sure, go ahead and close the rear liftgate.
A five-inch bin and two smaller bins in front of it -- with lids -- offer space to stash the portable CD player, camcorder or other valuables to keep them out of sight.
Hey, speaking of sound systems, the HHR offers standard a six-speaker audio system with a front-mounted auxiliary jack to plug in an iPod. A 260-watt Pioneer system with subwoofer is optional.
Dual-stage frontal air bags are standard with the HHR and they feature GM's passenger-sensing system, which adjusts deployment based on the size of the passenger. Head curtain side-impact air bags are optional, though.
Also optional: power sunroof, OnStar and XM satellite radio systems.
HHR comes in three versions, the base LS model -- which is well equipped with AC, power windows and doors and remote entry -- and two levels of the LT: 1LT and 2LT. The 1LT has a standard MP3 player, eight-way power seats and lumbar, 16-inch wheels and chrome exterior package.
The 2LT gets a bigger 2.4-liter engine and includes standard ABS, fog lamps, bright exhaust tip, leather trim on the wheel and shifter, 17-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension.
The LS starts at $15,990 but the upper-level 2LT can bring the price closer to $19,000.
The HHR has been in showrooms for just over a month and 10,174 already have been sold. This little wagon awaits those who love the retro look, want functionality and a fun ride, too. Thank the Cobalt platform for the latter. And credit Chevy for finally discovering that a small car doesn't have to be small in terms of excitement.
Source: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/12639618.htm
It's far smaller than the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban, but Chevy's new retro-style HHR does bear a facial resemblance to the big guy. Chevy wants you to recognize that resemblance.
And it takes some styling cues from the Chevy's hot, racy roadster-pickup, the SSR. Chevy encourages that comparison, too.
But the real comparison many will make is to Chrysler's PT Cruiser. Oh, there is some debate over who came up with the idea first. PT hit the market first, and already is a proven success. Chevy spokeswoman Noreen Pratscher says the HHR, however, has more flexible interior space and more cargo volume.
Fact is, this segment (shall we call it the slightly-odd-but-fun wagon segment?) is real and Chevy is eager to be part of it. And the HHR (which stands for Heritage High Roof) should have no trouble garnering attention in its battle with its retro partners: the PT Cruiser, Honda Element and Scion xB.
Despite the look of a shrunken big ol' Suburban, this HHR has the foundation of Chevy's new compact, the Cobalt.
It is a hoot to drive. Power, too, comes from the Cobalt: an economical 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 143 hp. Step up in trim levels and you get the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that kicks out 172 horses.
OK, it's not what you'd call fast, but it's peppy enough for a good time. And a highway ride will get you close to 30 mpg -- even with the automatic tranny. EPA figures say 20 around town, but I calculated more like 16 or 17.
The ride is quieter than you might expect around town (not that this youth target market worries much about quiet rides). It can be partly attributed to polymer-coated pistons and a double-layer engine cover. Still, at higher speeds the road and engine noise increase significantly.
The HHR has a MacPherson strut front suspension design and semi-independent torsion rear suspension. Two suspension systems are available: The standard one offers a softer ride and 16-inch wheels. The other provides a sportier feel and has 17-inch wheels and monotube shocks for firmer ride and sharper handling.
I found little to dislike about the HHR's overall feel on the road, at high speeds and low. Steering is extremely light-handed and sensitive. Call it ultra power steering. It is a rack and pinion setup and a speed-sensitive system that is tuned to match the two suspension systems.
The clutch pedal also has a very light touch, nice for anyone who thinks clutching is too much work. The shifter, by the way, has a mini spotlight shining on it from above -- part of an interior lighting package. Nice accent, but don't recall ever having trouble finding the shifter.
Cornering was not sports car-like but wasn't cause for panic, either. It is on par with the others and offers confident handling.
Inside, HHR maintains a simple, '40s look with an instrument panel that has a speedometer and tachometer prominently jutting out, and fuel and temp gauges set further back. Darker colors highlight the upper part of the dash, lighter colors below.
An extra glove box with a flip-up cover sits atop the instrument panel for sticking MP3s, cellphones and such inside.
Seats are on the firmer side and could take a toll on longer hauls, especially for us Boomer types. The center armrest can be pivoted out of the way and that is a good thing: I found it unusually cumbersome to shift when it was in the down position. I had it up all week for easier access to the shifter. Perhaps a design tweak is on the way next year?
The cargo area is so versatile that it probably will find a niche as a small delivery van. As AutoWeek magazine pointed out, there is plenty of room for commercial shelving with the rear seat removed. And Chevy, the mag said, is considering a composite panel or film for the rear quarter windows to conceal its 63 cubic feet of cargo space.
Payload capacity is 900 pounds.
For the rest of us, a polypropylene cargo area makes for a versatile and easy-to-clean area. Rear seat backs also are made of the same polypropylene material so, when folded down, the entire floor is durable, flat and ready to abuse and clean up.
The passenger seat even folds flat to make room for an eight-foot kayak -- and, sure, go ahead and close the rear liftgate.
A five-inch bin and two smaller bins in front of it -- with lids -- offer space to stash the portable CD player, camcorder or other valuables to keep them out of sight.
Hey, speaking of sound systems, the HHR offers standard a six-speaker audio system with a front-mounted auxiliary jack to plug in an iPod. A 260-watt Pioneer system with subwoofer is optional.
Dual-stage frontal air bags are standard with the HHR and they feature GM's passenger-sensing system, which adjusts deployment based on the size of the passenger. Head curtain side-impact air bags are optional, though.
Also optional: power sunroof, OnStar and XM satellite radio systems.
HHR comes in three versions, the base LS model -- which is well equipped with AC, power windows and doors and remote entry -- and two levels of the LT: 1LT and 2LT. The 1LT has a standard MP3 player, eight-way power seats and lumbar, 16-inch wheels and chrome exterior package.
The 2LT gets a bigger 2.4-liter engine and includes standard ABS, fog lamps, bright exhaust tip, leather trim on the wheel and shifter, 17-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension.
The LS starts at $15,990 but the upper-level 2LT can bring the price closer to $19,000.
The HHR has been in showrooms for just over a month and 10,174 already have been sold. This little wagon awaits those who love the retro look, want functionality and a fun ride, too. Thank the Cobalt platform for the latter. And credit Chevy for finally discovering that a small car doesn't have to be small in terms of excitement.
Source: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/12639618.htm
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