It's been a long time coming, but it appears as though the 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS is finally ready for production. We've spotted various prototypes over the last year, all of them displaying tell tale signs of a turbocharged engine residing under the hood. This prototype makes it even easier as there's an "SS" badge right on the side. Expect the production HHR SS to show up with the same 260hp 2.0-liter used in the Solstice GXP...
Bigger wheels and tires (225/45R18) are part of the package as well although the brakes don't appear any bigger than the stock units. We're guessing this test mule's tow hitch will not be an option.
I don't understand why no one in GM just can't understant it. Why keep building cars that People just don't buy? Instead of building hybrid and electric cars, they keep wasting time and money building cars that don't sell. Who really need Chevy HHR SS?
how do you know these wont sell? I read that nearly a third of Impalas were the V8 model. The Prius is the ONLY high volume hybrid on the market. Lets not act like hybrids are tearing up the sales charts.
jmbongo, are you stupid or just retarded? This is Chevy's answer to the Mazdaspeed3, and a very good answer at that.
I am guessing as the speculation is that the HHR SS will have the 2.0L from the GXP, that it will also have the same transmission--a 5 speed manual or optional automatic.
I am interested to see how this HHR SS drives. The Mazda is a little longer in wheel base (+.4in) and they are the same width... The HHR is taller too.
I drove the Mazdaspeed3 and although I like it just as much as Car and Driver, I also don't like the massive amounts of torque steer.
When I go to sell my Protege5, I just might have to give Chevy a look see with six SS models!
Speaking of retarded, did you realize that the Solstice GXP is RWD, and the HHR is FWD? As much as I'd love to see them use the same tranny (bulky shifter and all), I just don't think it's going to happen.
I also am really excited for this vehicle. My fiancee and I currently have two gas guzzlers (Envoy I6 and a Silverado V8) as a product of day to day life changing and living in the snowbelt region of upstate NY.
Nevertheless, my Envoy comes off lease next year and both this car and the new Saturn Vue gives GM two great truck-based SUV alternatives that they really don't have in their lines currently. I like the HHR a lot, but the normally aspirated ecotecs are not enough engine for someone who's gotten used to driving 6 and 8 cylinders.
I currently own an Impala SS, and even though the Impala has received plenty of bad press and comments, I truly enjoy driving my car. It’s not a rally car by ANY stretch, but it’s definitely a great 4-door sedan. To each his own! I’m going to be in the market for some sort of small / mid sized CUV in about a year, and even though 260 HP through the front wheels doesn’t sound ideal, the HHR SS will be at the top of my list of car to consider. I will also be looking at the Chevy Equinox sport. Just because something doesn’t fit the original paradigm of the SS badge, doesn’t mean it is “crap”. Things change, and we (as buyers of new cars) need to embrace all the great choices that exist right now.
The 2.0 GDI Turbo may even use less fuel than the standard 2.4 L. The only other question is whether they use the old GME 5-speed manual in the Cobalt, the new GME 6-speed manual used in the Astra, or one of the new 6-speed autos.
I think I would have a hard time stepping out of a GTI or Mazdaspeed 3 and thinking, "No, I'll have a Chevy." No matter what the engine is, I'm sure the interior will still be a complete mess.
The SS badge has been diluted since the 90's. This is no surprise that the HHR gets this. My friend and I actually made a joke last year about how long it'd take GM to make an HHR SS. Guess it's not much of a joke now...
All I'll say is that I hope GM engineers found a way to get the driver's arm rest out of the way of the manual tranny shifter. It'll suck for all the redneck ricer's out there when they're trying to burn through the gears while obstructed by a piece of plastic and cloth.
sebastian- I'm not sure what you consider a complete mess. Recent GM interiors have been second to none, especially in whatever category the product is competing in. Cobalt was one of the last 'new' cars to come out before the paradigm shift. You might want to wander by one of your local GM lots and check out the interiors on some of the models from the past year or so to see what I mean.
And that's just a glimpse. If you've followed the upcoming product info around here at all, you have to have seen the new redesign for the Malibu (really a heavy mid life refresh). As much as I like the new stuff available now, the Malibu's interiors and choices of colors and materials appears set to take things to a whole new level.
I may be stupid or just retarded as you said. But the true is GM is losing market share to Toyota and Honda with these stupid cars. Do you remember what happened to Chevy SSR? How many Saturn Vue Green Line or Aura Green Line GM has sold lately? My point is: GM doen't need this kind of car right now. I think GM is still making bad choices when it is time to meet customers need. Sorry.
um JimBongo for starters the Non Green line models of the car have been named car of the year second of all the SSR was a flop because while it was no slouch in performance it had absolutely zero versatility and the SSr had a bad launch with an underpowered engine and quality issues. GM fixed the problems but by then the SSR's image was permanatly tarnished. and the vue hybrid as of right now has one of the highest gas mileages you'll find in a SUV. While it is true that GM is losing market share comapred with what they had out in the 90's early 2000's to now and you'll see a noticeable improvemnt in quality reifnement and performance
OK, Heres the scoop: 2.0 turbo Ecotec 260 hp (250 with auto trans)/ 260 lb torque delivering 0-60 times around 6 sec, new FE5 suspension developed on Germany's Nurburgring developing 0.90 g lateral grip, tweeked 4 wheel disc ABS, 14.8:1 ratio rack and pinion steering, top speed over 150 mph, standard short throw Getrag 5 speed or optional 4 speed auto with remote start, 18" aluminum wheels, sport seats with suede inserts, pillar mounted boost gauge, door mounted windos and lock switches and special floor console, standard XM radio, OnStar, and tire pressure monitors, and 27 MPG. Premium fuel is recomended but not required, and it is slated for production in December. Estimated prices are around $25,000.
I don't understand why no one in GM just can't understant it. Why keep building cars that People just don't buy? Instead of building hybrid and electric cars, they keep wasting time and money building cars that don't sell. Who really need Chevy HHR SS?
how do you know these wont sell? I read that nearly a third of Impalas were the V8 model. The Prius is the ONLY high volume hybrid on the market. Lets not act like hybrids are tearing up the sales charts.
Why did they even bother covering up the SS badge as its plain as day?
That's a lot of power for an oversized PT Cruiser. I bet it'll sell pretty well.
I won't be buying one, but I am excited at the prospect of a 260hp little wagon/van.
I'll stick with my 01 malibu LS but having a 260hp wagon van thing is still pretty tempting can't wait to see the times that this thing can generate
Plenty of people buy HHRs.
This entry gives GM something to market against the Dodge Caliber SRT4, Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, Volkswagen GTI, and Mazda Mazdaspeed3.
and that tape job on the SS logo is one of the worst i have ever seen even from afar its as clear as day
IMO the HHR(R) SS will be a better than the PT cruiser. It already has a better ride even with a less powerful engine.
I just hope this car gets a 6 speed automatic or 6 speed manual for fuel efficiency and a lower rev at speed. Heck i wish that for all GM vehicles...
-Cj
jmbongo, are you stupid or just retarded? This is Chevy's answer to the Mazdaspeed3, and a very good answer at that.
I am guessing as the speculation is that the HHR SS will have the 2.0L from the GXP, that it will also have the same transmission--a 5 speed manual or optional automatic.
I am interested to see how this HHR SS drives. The Mazda is a little longer in wheel base (+.4in) and they are the same width... The HHR is taller too.
I drove the Mazdaspeed3 and although I like it just as much as Car and Driver, I also don't like the massive amounts of torque steer.
When I go to sell my Protege5, I just might have to give Chevy a look see with six SS models!
Speaking of retarded, did you realize that the Solstice GXP is RWD, and the HHR is FWD? As much as I'd love to see them use the same tranny (bulky shifter and all), I just don't think it's going to happen.
I also am really excited for this vehicle. My fiancee and I currently have two gas guzzlers (Envoy I6 and a Silverado V8) as a product of day to day life changing and living in the snowbelt region of upstate NY.
Nevertheless, my Envoy comes off lease next year and both this car and the new Saturn Vue gives GM two great truck-based SUV alternatives that they really don't have in their lines currently. I like the HHR a lot, but the normally aspirated ecotecs are not enough engine for someone who's gotten used to driving 6 and 8 cylinders.
I'm definitely looking forward to it...
I currently own an Impala SS, and even though the Impala has received plenty of bad press and comments, I truly enjoy driving my car. It’s not a rally car by ANY stretch, but it’s definitely a great 4-door sedan. To each his own! I’m going to be in the market for some sort of small / mid sized CUV in about a year, and even though 260 HP through the front wheels doesn’t sound ideal, the HHR SS will be at the top of my list of car to consider. I will also be looking at the Chevy Equinox sport. Just because something doesn’t fit the original paradigm of the SS badge, doesn’t mean it is “crap”. Things change, and we (as buyers of new cars) need to embrace all the great choices that exist right now.
The 2.0 GDI Turbo may even use less fuel than the standard 2.4 L. The only other question is whether they use the old GME 5-speed manual in the Cobalt, the new GME 6-speed manual used in the Astra, or one of the new 6-speed autos.
Ironjasper - I think we've all given up hope for the original SS badge. It's now a title for much of GM's FWD 4 cylinder products.
This is an image car. It'll draw people in for a look, even though they'll end up test driving Malibus. That's fine, though.
I think I would have a hard time stepping out of a GTI or Mazdaspeed 3 and thinking, "No, I'll have a Chevy." No matter what the engine is, I'm sure the interior will still be a complete mess.
-Sabastian
The SS badge has been diluted since the 90's. This is no surprise that the HHR gets this. My friend and I actually made a joke last year about how long it'd take GM to make an HHR SS. Guess it's not much of a joke now...
All I'll say is that I hope GM engineers found a way to get the driver's arm rest out of the way of the manual tranny shifter. It'll suck for all the redneck ricer's out there when they're trying to burn through the gears while obstructed by a piece of plastic and cloth.
sebastian- I'm not sure what you consider a complete mess. Recent GM interiors have been second to none, especially in whatever category the product is competing in. Cobalt was one of the last 'new' cars to come out before the paradigm shift. You might want to wander by one of your local GM lots and check out the interiors on some of the models from the past year or so to see what I mean.
And that's just a glimpse. If you've followed the upcoming product info around here at all, you have to have seen the new redesign for the Malibu (really a heavy mid life refresh). As much as I like the new stuff available now, the Malibu's interiors and choices of colors and materials appears set to take things to a whole new level.
Hi jerseypr5,
I may be stupid or just retarded as you said. But the true is GM is losing market share to Toyota and Honda with these stupid cars. Do you remember what happened to Chevy SSR? How many Saturn Vue Green Line or Aura Green Line GM has sold lately? My point is: GM doen't need this kind of car right now. I think GM is still making bad choices when it is time to meet customers need. Sorry.
um JimBongo for starters the Non Green line models of the car have been named car of the year second of all the SSR was a flop because while it was no slouch in performance it had absolutely zero versatility and the SSr had a bad launch with an underpowered engine and quality issues. GM fixed the problems but by then the SSR's image was permanatly tarnished. and the vue hybrid as of right now has one of the highest gas mileages you'll find in a SUV. While it is true that GM is losing market share comapred with what they had out in the 90's early 2000's to now and you'll see a noticeable improvemnt in quality reifnement and performance
OK, Heres the scoop: 2.0 turbo Ecotec 260 hp (250 with auto trans)/ 260 lb torque delivering 0-60 times around 6 sec, new FE5 suspension developed on Germany's Nurburgring developing 0.90 g lateral grip, tweeked 4 wheel disc ABS, 14.8:1 ratio rack and pinion steering, top speed over 150 mph, standard short throw Getrag 5 speed or optional 4 speed auto with remote start, 18" aluminum wheels, sport seats with suede inserts, pillar mounted boost gauge, door mounted windos and lock switches and special floor console, standard XM radio, OnStar, and tire pressure monitors, and 27 MPG. Premium fuel is recomended but not required, and it is slated for production in December. Estimated prices are around $25,000.