Old style enhances new HHR
10-01-2005, 11:18 PM
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Old style enhances new HHR
<img src="https://www.chevyhhr.net/news/hhr1.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="2">Chevrolet designers didn't want the 2006 HHR to look like a small station wagon or a crossover car/sport utility vehicle.
They needed an eye-catching exterior to dress up the versatile cargo- and people-hauling interior of this new five-door model.
The solution: Retro styling reminiscent of the 1949 Chevy Suburban panel wagon that fits neatly over the HHR's modern car underpinnings and four-cylinder engines.
With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $15,990, the five-passenger HHR ranks as the second lowest-priced, mainstream, retro-styled model on the market.
The lowest-priced is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, which has a starting MSRP of $14,850, or $15,850 with air conditioning.
Another competing, retro-styled, small vehicle is the Volkswagen New Beetle, which starts at $17,185 for a 2005 model that includes air conditioning.
All base prices are for models with manual transmissions.
HHR hardly rolls easily off the tongue. It's an abbreviation for a combination of words that Chevy officials figured would help describe this new vehicle.
The first "H" is for heritage, denoting this vehicle harkens back to an old Chevy.
"HR" refers to "high roof" and is the codename used by Chevy officials decades ago for the tall panel wagons they were working on at the time.
Still, consumers should expect the HHR to be old-style only in its outer styling.
The interior includes comfortably firm seats that sit a bit higher above the pavement than they would in a regular car, modern air conditioning and ventilation system, even optional XM satellite radio, remote start and an audio integrator for easy use with an Apple iPod.
Note, though, that some safety features, such as side curtain airbags, are options on all HHRs, and antilock brakes and traction control are optional on all but the top-level version.
What's most surprising, perhaps, is the ride and handling of the HHR, particularly with sport-tuned suspension that was in the test vehicle.
Despite the styling link to the old Chevy Suburban, the HHR uses the underlying front-wheel-drive platform of the Chevrolet Cobalt small coupe and sedan - not a truck or SUV platform.
The platform has modern-day rigidity for a well-put-together feeling. With a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear torsion beam, the HHR moves with composure on twisty roads. During the test drive, there was no unstable, wallowy feeling.
I especially liked that I didn't notice any tippiness that sometimes comes with tall vehicles, even though the HHR stands more than 5.4 feet tall, up from the Cobalt's 4.8 feet.
Note, for comparison, that SUVs typically are taller. For example, a Chevrolet TrailBlazer stands at least 6.2 feet tall, but the Chevy Equinox crossover SUV is just 1.8 inches taller than the HHR.
Brakes worked well in the test HHR. They stopped the vehicle solidly, without being grabby.
With 17-inch tires, the HHR transmitted many road vibrations subtly to passengers. The ride felt firm but not jarring.
Still, I wished for a bit more engine power.
The base HHR has a 143-horsepower, 2.2-liter, Ecotec four cylinder that's the base motor in the Cobalt. Torque in the base HHR is 150 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm.
But I wondered why someone would want this engine since the uplevel four cylinder has the same fuel economy rating of 23 miles a gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
And this uplevel has more power. Specifically, the 2.4-liter, Ecotec four cylinder produces 172 horsepower and 162 foot-pounds at 5,000 rpm of torque.
While this is competent power, there's still droning from this engine in city traffic, and it doesn't provide a big punch during spirited driving, even when mated to a five-speed manual.
Both the other main competitors - the PT Cruiser and New Beetle - offer some zip with turbocharged engines.
Indeed, for 2006, the PT Cruiser gets a bit more power with an uplevel, 2.4-liter, turbocharged, high-output four cylinder generating 230 horses and 245 foot-pounds as low as 2,800 rpm.
Then again, on the plus side, the HHR's fuel economy is higher than any version of PT Cruiser.
A key attraction to the HHR is the interior room which, generally, is mostly on par with the PT Cruiser. The HHR's versatility comes from the split rear seats that can be folded down, extending the plastic-covered rear cargo area.
In fact, the seatback of the HHR's front passenger seat can fold down, too, for a maximum 63.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Also note that it is difficult to gauge the dimensions of the HHR from pictures. Consumers may tend to think it's larger than it is in real life.
Next car reviews, in this order: 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX, 2006 Mazda5, 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, 2006 Honda Civic.
2006 Chevrolet HHR 2LT
BASE PRICE: $15,425 for LS; $16,425 for 1LT
AS TESTED: $22,920
TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger wagon
ENGINE: 2.5-liter, double overhead cam, inline four cylinder
MILEAGE: 23 (city), 30 (highway)
TOP SPEED: NA
LENGTH: 176.2 inches
WHEELBASE: 103.5 inches
CURB WEIGHT: 3,208 pounds
BUILT AT: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
OPTIONS: 2LT preferred equipment group (includes chrome appearance package, fog lamps, antilock brakes, traction control, sport-tuned suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob), $1,800; four-speed automatic transmission, $1,000; power sunroof, $725; color-matched running boards, $445; curtain airbags, $395; polished, 17-inch alloy wheels, $395; XM satellite radio, $325; upgraded AM/FM system with six CD changer with MP3 and auxiliary input jack, $295; upgraded seven radio speakers, $295; roof rails, $150; carpeted floor mats, $105
DESTINATION CHARGE: $565
source: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/30/Br...ances_ne.shtml
They needed an eye-catching exterior to dress up the versatile cargo- and people-hauling interior of this new five-door model.
The solution: Retro styling reminiscent of the 1949 Chevy Suburban panel wagon that fits neatly over the HHR's modern car underpinnings and four-cylinder engines.
With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $15,990, the five-passenger HHR ranks as the second lowest-priced, mainstream, retro-styled model on the market.
The lowest-priced is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, which has a starting MSRP of $14,850, or $15,850 with air conditioning.
Another competing, retro-styled, small vehicle is the Volkswagen New Beetle, which starts at $17,185 for a 2005 model that includes air conditioning.
All base prices are for models with manual transmissions.
HHR hardly rolls easily off the tongue. It's an abbreviation for a combination of words that Chevy officials figured would help describe this new vehicle.
The first "H" is for heritage, denoting this vehicle harkens back to an old Chevy.
"HR" refers to "high roof" and is the codename used by Chevy officials decades ago for the tall panel wagons they were working on at the time.
Still, consumers should expect the HHR to be old-style only in its outer styling.
The interior includes comfortably firm seats that sit a bit higher above the pavement than they would in a regular car, modern air conditioning and ventilation system, even optional XM satellite radio, remote start and an audio integrator for easy use with an Apple iPod.
Note, though, that some safety features, such as side curtain airbags, are options on all HHRs, and antilock brakes and traction control are optional on all but the top-level version.
What's most surprising, perhaps, is the ride and handling of the HHR, particularly with sport-tuned suspension that was in the test vehicle.
Despite the styling link to the old Chevy Suburban, the HHR uses the underlying front-wheel-drive platform of the Chevrolet Cobalt small coupe and sedan - not a truck or SUV platform.
The platform has modern-day rigidity for a well-put-together feeling. With a front MacPherson strut suspension and a rear torsion beam, the HHR moves with composure on twisty roads. During the test drive, there was no unstable, wallowy feeling.
I especially liked that I didn't notice any tippiness that sometimes comes with tall vehicles, even though the HHR stands more than 5.4 feet tall, up from the Cobalt's 4.8 feet.
Note, for comparison, that SUVs typically are taller. For example, a Chevrolet TrailBlazer stands at least 6.2 feet tall, but the Chevy Equinox crossover SUV is just 1.8 inches taller than the HHR.
Brakes worked well in the test HHR. They stopped the vehicle solidly, without being grabby.
With 17-inch tires, the HHR transmitted many road vibrations subtly to passengers. The ride felt firm but not jarring.
Still, I wished for a bit more engine power.
The base HHR has a 143-horsepower, 2.2-liter, Ecotec four cylinder that's the base motor in the Cobalt. Torque in the base HHR is 150 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm.
But I wondered why someone would want this engine since the uplevel four cylinder has the same fuel economy rating of 23 miles a gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
And this uplevel has more power. Specifically, the 2.4-liter, Ecotec four cylinder produces 172 horsepower and 162 foot-pounds at 5,000 rpm of torque.
While this is competent power, there's still droning from this engine in city traffic, and it doesn't provide a big punch during spirited driving, even when mated to a five-speed manual.
Both the other main competitors - the PT Cruiser and New Beetle - offer some zip with turbocharged engines.
Indeed, for 2006, the PT Cruiser gets a bit more power with an uplevel, 2.4-liter, turbocharged, high-output four cylinder generating 230 horses and 245 foot-pounds as low as 2,800 rpm.
Then again, on the plus side, the HHR's fuel economy is higher than any version of PT Cruiser.
A key attraction to the HHR is the interior room which, generally, is mostly on par with the PT Cruiser. The HHR's versatility comes from the split rear seats that can be folded down, extending the plastic-covered rear cargo area.
In fact, the seatback of the HHR's front passenger seat can fold down, too, for a maximum 63.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Also note that it is difficult to gauge the dimensions of the HHR from pictures. Consumers may tend to think it's larger than it is in real life.
Next car reviews, in this order: 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX, 2006 Mazda5, 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, 2006 Honda Civic.
2006 Chevrolet HHR 2LT
BASE PRICE: $15,425 for LS; $16,425 for 1LT
AS TESTED: $22,920
TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger wagon
ENGINE: 2.5-liter, double overhead cam, inline four cylinder
MILEAGE: 23 (city), 30 (highway)
TOP SPEED: NA
LENGTH: 176.2 inches
WHEELBASE: 103.5 inches
CURB WEIGHT: 3,208 pounds
BUILT AT: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
OPTIONS: 2LT preferred equipment group (includes chrome appearance package, fog lamps, antilock brakes, traction control, sport-tuned suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob), $1,800; four-speed automatic transmission, $1,000; power sunroof, $725; color-matched running boards, $445; curtain airbags, $395; polished, 17-inch alloy wheels, $395; XM satellite radio, $325; upgraded AM/FM system with six CD changer with MP3 and auxiliary input jack, $295; upgraded seven radio speakers, $295; roof rails, $150; carpeted floor mats, $105
DESTINATION CHARGE: $565
source: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/30/Br...ances_ne.shtml
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