2008 Chevrolet HHR SS: Official Specs, Photos; 0-60 in 6.3, Tops Out Above 140 MPH

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Based on early tests of the SRT-4 (which has been in development, what, two years?) compared with that of the Cobalt SS (by which the HHR is based upon), I'd presume a more crisp level of response from the Chevrolet, but the overall lack of power (coming up 40 BHP short) will probably be the nail in the coffin.

However, I keep holding out for GM to announce that the HHR SS will be available as the Panel model as well. Losing the rear seats, windows, etc surely saves some weight, and has to have some positive increase in performance overall...
 
Someone at GM did a good job leaking part of the brochure...





(Check here for high-res images)

What we know:

- It has the 260 BHP turbocharged I4 from the Sky and Solstice
- It uses a 5-speed, short-throw manual, probably taken from the Cobalt SS
- The interior has been completely redone for sporting purposes
- Redone exterior for aerodynamic performance and good looks
- Extensive racetrack testing in Europe and America

All I can say is sweet, now we just need to hope that they keep the prices down.
 
Welcome to the Nürburgring!

Autoblog found a video (about 3:30) of the HHR testing at The 'Ring, mostly done from the interior, driven by John Heinricy. Check the test video here!

My Grandfather picked up a 2008 HHR brochure the other day and showed it to me, and I can confirm that there is a two-page spread for the HHR SS in there. Unfortunately, I left the book there (hes taking a look at one, probably won't get it though), but at least we know that its coming late this fall.
 
Well, I think it looks better than the standard model...

Chevrolet-HHR-Premiere-Edition.jpg
 
YSSMAN
Welcome to the Nürburgring!

Autoblog found a video (about 3:30) of the HHR testing at The 'Ring, mostly done from the interior, driven by John Heinricy. Check the test video here!

My Grandfather picked up a 2008 HHR brochure the other day and showed it to me, and I can confirm that there is a two-page spread for the HHR SS in there. Unfortunately, I left the book there (hes taking a look at one, probably won't get it though), but at least we know that its coming late this fall.
Click to expand...

The video was 3 minutes and 30 seconds?















FasT3st LaP TIm3 3v4r!
 
How about some official photos and specs?

Autoblog
The Woodward Dream Cruise is right around the corner on this Saturday, but Chevy is arriving early with its 2008 HHR SS model that's just been revealed. Of course, we knew an SS version of the HHR was percolating thanks to countless spy photos of development mules testing here and on the Nurburgring in Germany. Nevertheless, 260 horsepower in a tall wagon is pretty exciting, especially one that goes 0-60 in 6.3 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds at 98.5 mph.

Those ponies come from the same 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled direct inject Ecotec four-cylinder found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline. Here it's mated to a GM Powertrain Sweden F35 five-speed manual transmission or 4T45 four-speed, the latter of which would be heresy to consider unless you fancy yourself a weenie. The FE5 sport suspension, as alluded to above, was tuned on the Ring in Germany and enables the HHR SS to achieve an impressive .86 g. Those 18-inch polished aluminum wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport P225/45R18 tires probably help, too.

The aero bits added do much to convince us the SS can hustle, and include new front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, body-colored bits, mesh grille and SS badging all over. Inside resides a pair of deep bucket sport seats with substantial bolsters, a boost gauge mounted on the A-pillar, smaller diameter steering wheel and a manual shifter mounted higher and farther forward.
Click to expand...









​

Sounds like the performance is just about right for the segment, the interior doesn't look too bad (looks like they improved the plastics), so the only thing you have to worry about is the price. My guess is that it starts right around $20K, just like the Cobalt SS before it, but a slight bump up in price may be expected because of the engine. We'll see.

Its a hair quicker and probably a few dollars cheaper than the VW GTI 5-door, its closest competitor, but when it comes down to just driving feel, I'm certain that the VW wins-out... But, GMPD has surprised us before, so we'll see.

Either way, I'm looking forward to the comparison against the SRT-4.
 
They should've left the checkered-flag stuff over the front bumper!! That would've disguised the "bumper" and it would've made owners think they were winning a race.

Damn, I should work for GM.
 
They shoulda just kept the Cobalt SS instead. This thing is ugly as sin.

That, and NO ONE owns one around there. I know of one family that got one, and proceded to trade it back in less than 6 months because they hated the HHR.

And the only things to worry about are getting laughed at stop lights and the doors failing off 3 years down the road :p But mostly getting laughed at cause you actually bought it. More so when it gets beat by my 20 year old MR2 at the stop light.

Tell me it has an LSD, at the very least?
 
I believe it uses the same LSD setup from the Cobalt SS. I'm still against their idea of killing the Cobalt SS, but this project has been in the works for a long, long, long time. Get all the performance data out, and I'm thinking it should be rather impressive for a car it's size. Problem is, its still a bit too heavy, so I'm interested to see how GM fiddled with it to make things right.

Reliability wise, I believe the HHR got a "Recommended" mark in the 2007 New Car issue of Consumer Reports... Given how much they hate American cars, it must be worth something...
 
Wow, wait, they did? DAMN, the world is ending :sly:

0.86g isn't bad... but it could have been better on the same rubber if they hadn't used a bloated box.

Hopefully it does have the LSD setup from the Cobalt... though I was still underwhelmed by the speed on the Cobalt and its apparently stability above 100 MPH when I was racing one.

On a slightly OT side, tell me you think the HHR is ugly as sin as well. I think there are many boxes that look better, such as the xB (the new one) and a bajillion better looking hatches and wagons.
 
Compared to the new xB? Not hardly, the HHR wins by a country mile there. Its not the best-looking car GM makes, but it certainly isn't the worst either. If we're looking only at the hatchback/wagon grouping, or at least its nearest competitors, the obvious choice is style is the VW Rabbit and Jetta SportWagen, not to mention the GTI and GLI spin-offs. The Caliber I'd say looks a bit better too (overall), but it isn't by much. The HHR certainly looks better than the PT Cruiser that influenced it (it was designed by the same guy), but in terms of impact, that will always be the Chrysler's game.

I personally say that the HHR looks best in SS trim, but that may just be me.

The Cobalt SS was an impressive performer on the street and on the track, and if the HHR SS matches or surpasses it for much the same price, thats a feat within itself. I doubt GM is expecting to sell boat-loads of them, probably less than 3000 a year, but I'm thinking they shouldn't have too hard of a problem doing so.
 
45 more horsepower and its still half a second slower to 60 than the SRT-4. What I really don't get, though, is why its so much slower through the quarter mile (much less why the gap between the two widens).
For that matter, why does essentially the same apply to the 55 horespower-down Cobalt SS? Is the HHR that unaerodynamic?
 
Toronado
45 more horsepower and its still half a second slower to 60 than the SRT-4. What I really don't get, though, is why its so much slower through the quarter mile (much less why the gap between the two widens).
For that matter, why does essentially the same apply to the 55 horespower-down Cobalt SS? Is the HHR that unaerodynamic?
Click to expand...

Could be a combination of tall gears and higher weight.
 
Toronado
45 more horsepower and its still half a second slower to 60 than the SRT-4. What I really don't get, though, is why its so much slower through the quarter mile (much less why the gap between the two widens).
For that matter, why does essentially the same apply to the 55 horespower-down Cobalt SS? Is the HHR that unaerodynamic?
Click to expand...

The HHR SS is fat and stupid. That's why. This is a terrible idea. Why do companies think they can turn fat, stupid things into performance cars? Sure, it'll be quick. BUT IT COULD BE QUICKER IF IT WASN"T SO FAT.

Damn, even Honda's forgotten the formula for performance. When Honda forgets how to make something fun, the world is almost at an end. At least we still have...oh never mind. My parents can't even afford a $50,000 Elise.

1. Small

2. Light

3. Not ridiculously powerful

4. Light and small

5. Not stupid and fat

6. Cheap

7. MAKE IT A MACHINE NOT A COMPUTER

8. Electronic controls, like steering, brakes, and throttles are stupid. Less fat, but the amount of stupid cancels it out.
 

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