The American Berlingo? From Chevrolet?

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YSSMAN

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Oh yeah, I'm not joking at all either...

LLN.com
General Motors today unveiled the 2007 Chevrolet HHR Panel, designed for a various commercial and private uses. The HHR Panel features windowless side panels and rear cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor provides more than 57 cubic feet of cargo space, along with approximately 6 cubic feet (170 L) of additional covered, under-floor storage.

"The HHR Panel is a model unlike anything else in the segment, and it continues HHR’s mission of offering customers a bold, expressive, functional and different vehicle," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "It's great for delivery companies and other small businesses, but we think auto enthusiasts will love it too, as it gives them a large canvas on which to express their individuality."

HHR Panel production is expected to start late in the first quarter of 2007. It will be offered in LS and LT trims, with 2.2L and 2.4L engines – both of which help the HHR deliver 30 mpg in highway driving. "Business customers will see great value in the HHR Panel," said Peper. "There aren’t many vehicles designed for commercial use that provide 30 mpg."
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(MORE PHOTOS HERE)

Why do I like this thing so much when it really shouldn't appeal to me whatsoever? I mean, it is "only" an HHR wich is baisically a one-upped PT Cruiser, but this just kicks ass... And no, I don't have my GM blinders on at the moment...

If they are selling this at a discount to the rather low prices of the HHR to begin with, they could have some success with this vehicle. I can see them becoming quite popular with small auto-repair companies, replacing older fleet vehicles like the V6 Silverados and S-10s. The only question is if the suspension and Delta chassis can carry enough weight to make it a feaseable hauler, but I suppose that without the seats, an extra 400 lbs of cargo wouldn't be too bad, given that you could easily fill that quota with three people in the back.

Simply put, I love this thing! All joking aside, it really is "cool," IMO. The custom-car market is going to jump on this pretty quick I bet, and I'm sure the whole "Woody-Wagon" thing will jump back on it quite quick...
 
Oooh... so close to out-uglying the Fiat Doblo. First AND second gen.
fiat-doblo-01-100.jpg

doblo.jpg
 
Nowhere near. Fugly of the year goes to the FIAT. HHR is pretty cool though, if they can put this in the mid to low $14k segment (although I suspect if it's as stripped out as the pictures show, it could go in the mid to high $13k), I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Gotta go get the checkbook.
 
But if it hasn't got rear windows how can it be liek teh Berlingo, kangoo and Doblo?

It's more like an American version of the Astra Van
Vauxhaull-Astra-Van-resized.jpg

'Loud' people love them for the amount of speakers and Amps you can fit in the back.
 
I'd be interested to hear what the carrying capacity of the HHR will be with these additions. It should be "enough," but I wouldn't put the figures up too high.

I can see a lot of smaller computer companies buying these things up, driving parts around town for servicing. Maybe Best Buy would use them to deliver some things, small enough to fit in them of course. Auto parts suppliers, from what I can tell, is going to be the big target here.
 
I can't wait for people to complain about how other drivers are in their blind spot.
 
@ExigeExcel: Good point. Technically speaking, they are very similar (HHR and Astra) to begin with. I went with the Berlingo name as it was the only van/car thingy I could think of off the top of my head, but I'll remember the Astra version now.

(BTW: Being that we are supposed to be getting the Astra here in 2007, I'm begining to wonder if Saturn will use the pannel version or not. Probably not, but you have to wonder sometimes... It is GM after all.)
 
YSSMAN
Simply put, I love this thing! All joking aside, it really is "cool," IMO. The custom-car market is going to jump on this pretty quick I bet, and I'm sure the whole "Woody-Wagon" thing will jump back on it quite quick...
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Agreed !... That is very very cool !....

Love it and if it'll hold a bike in the back - I love it even more !....
 
Oh yeah, they will hold quite a bit even with the seats!

142006151114.jpg

(From the Car and Driver "Rebellious Boxes" test)

...And I just thought of something: Now that it appears as though the HHR will recieve the 260 BHP DI-Turbo I4 from the Solstice, I'm wondering if they will sell a special edition pannel HHR with the same option?
 
So...it's basically the answer to the old Ranger-commerical pickups?

Some reason though, I have a feeling more people will buy this to customize than commercial.
 
^ I'm pretty sure of it. Kinda in the way the origional PT Cruisers were treated...
 

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