Wednesday, March 5, 2008

2008 Chevrolet HHR Review

2008 Chevrolet HHR

The Chevrolet HHR is a car-based retro-wagon which celebrates its heritage with Chevy inspired by the 1949 Suburban iconic style. HHR stands for Heritage High Roof, a reference to top up or roof panels Suburbans cars that have inspired the design of the HHR.

Based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cobalt, the HHR was first launched as a 2006 model. The HHR competes most closely with the Chrysler PT Cruiser, but also with Honda Element, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty.

For 2008, the HHR is a new lineup, high-performance SS model.

We found the Chevrolet HHR fun to drive. This is not a sports car, but it is agile and we were pleased to its acceleration. The HHR feels more responsive than its power, torque, transmission and the numbers suggest. Moreover, it is decent fuel economy.

The HHR Group Van features smooth, windowless side panels and rear doors without handles. The doors open rear cargo via a button on the dashboard. While it is more spartan and the procedure provides for only two seats, the group offers the best example of the small Suburban heritage.

The HHR SS is the most fun to drive, the early launch of the line and offering to rough handling. On an autocross circuit, we were treated as a sports car.

The HHR interior is not as functional as we would like, however. And the basis Draperie left wishing we would have ordered leather as an option.

The Chevrolet HHR remains relatively unchanged for 2007 with the exception of a slightly more powerful engine and a few new colour options. New exterior color options for 2007 include Imperial Blue Metallic and Golden Teal Metallic, a new option is interior color Ebony.

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR is available in three distinctly different configurations: HHR, HHR Panel, and the new HHR SS. It comes in several trim levels, including the base LS and LT two grades. The standard engine is a 2.2 litre four-cylinder, while a 2.4 liter engine is optional. Each comes with a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic. The SS comes with a high performance 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.

The LS($16515) comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a substantial level of standard features and equipment. The LT ($17,175) adds an MP3 player with a jack for an iPod, eight ways to adjust the driver's seat, and satin chrome trim.

The 2LT package($2395) adds the Ecotec 2.4-litre engine, antilock brakes, traction control, fog lights, a 260-watt Pioneer sound system with seven speakers, 17-inch aluminum sport, listening and the suspension of bright chrome trim.

The HHR 2LT Group($20,850) comes with the package satin chrome exterior, sports suspension, 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. The Pioneer sound system is optional. The basic HHR LS($16,820) is equipped with the same five-passenger LS.

Safety features include optional front and rear side curtain airbags ($395). ABS series of the 2LT and is optional for the LS and 1LT (400 dollars). Electronic stability control Stabilitrak is now the norm in the entire range of models HHR.

We like the style retrospective treatment proposed by the HHR across the range of models. The closest relative to the Chevrolet HHR is the Chrysler PT Cruiser. They do not look anything alike, but both are four-cylinder cars on the side of the retro design equation. Both respective fill a need in their camps.

The nose rounded the HHR is not different from the Chevrolet SSR, which also reflects the brand truck heritage. The HHR defenses are well defined with flat side housing contrast favourably with the openings of the vehicle many curves, surfaces sculpted contemporary. Bumpers front and rear fog lamps are integrated into the fascia flawless, with integrated running boards provide a nostalgic touch. The ras glass all around, including the windshield is pretty, like lighthouses surrounded by body panels to the old school way. The tail light treatment consists of two round lenses stacked vertically on each side. The large, a prominent chrome grille is, (except on the model SS), and seems a bit like the 1949 Suburban.

Bumpers front and back are molded into a composite material and integrated into the framework of their respective fascia. The Chevrolet HHR offers a more traditional look than other vehicles in its entirety competitive. It offers a lot of space and functionality without being boxy. When viewed from afar, the HHR looks larger than it really is. Examined closely, it is compact. And you have to sit down at this time of the entry and exit of it when it came out.

The HHR Group characteristics of steel inserts in place of the side windows and doors cargo in place of conventional rear doors. The cargo open wide the doors allowing access freight on both sides of the vehicle, as well as to lift the rear door. The cargo doors are smooth and have no outside handles, they are open via a dashboard button or the keyless entry fob. The large continuous area created by the window and rear cargo door panels are ideal for business logos, advertising or customization. Side visibility is obviously limited due to the strong side without windows, we must rely primarily on mirrors for the safeguarding of maneuvers. The softness, no windows on the sides of the Committee to give him a cleaner, retro hot rod expect more than standard models. The lack of security for windows adds content inside.

The HHR sits SS 6 mm lower than it stable mates, but sports extended front and rear fascias that give it the appearance of riding much lower. The new front fascia features a design of air dam with integrated fog lights, and the chrome grille surround comes with mesh-style upper and lower grille inserts. The new rear fascia gives a simple cut exhaust tip light. New rocker moldings accentuated resemble steps. To the rear, the rear wing is mounted above the rear glass. Body-color door handles, mirror caps and license plates rear surround, with SS badging on the front doors and rear lift gate further differentiate the SS its stable mates.

Inside, the Chevrolet HHR provides most of the time, functional and comfortable surroundings. Included are durable, easy to clean surfaces cargo, a front passenger seat that folds flat for more cargo space, 60/40 split / fold-flat second-row, and a multi-position cargo package tray at the rear Assure that the security of cargo. Find a comfortable seating position may require some effort, the problem seems to be with the contour of the case. Speaking of the head, there is not much of it, despite the high roof. Unless the seat being is at its lowest, you find your mind head brushes lining windshield and the head is low for taller drivers. In addition, the locking knob door is positioned so that it interferes with the conduct and resting his left arm on the window sill, a classic and nostalgic pose.

Cubby storage is limited. There is a practical flip-up compartment on top of the dashboard and a small glove box. The rear offers a cupholder and small pockets door. The front passenger seat has a net storage watertight.

Side windows are controlled by the console buttons located just in front of the gear lever, which makes them difficult to operate with ease, and place them on the door would be much better.

Second row passengers get their legs, but not in high doses especially behind taller drivers; children will undoubtedly be more comfortable.

The 2.4 litre engine is effective. He gets an EPA-rated 22/28 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission, manual 20/28 mpg with the help of Premium gas. Premium fuel is recommended but not required for the 2.4-litre. During one week in the 2LT, we averaged 23.4 miles per gallon, as indicated by the numerical data on the dashboard. Who comprised mainly around town driving, highway about 120 miles with a full load of passengers and the cruise control set at 70. The HHR was slightly better than the freeway mileage at the rate it has been light around the city on foot.

The best fuel economy comes from the base of the 2.2-litre engine, which is an EPA-rated 22/30 mpg city/highway with an automatic, 21/30 mpg with the manual, all on regular gas.

The 2LT has a sport-tuned suspension with 17-inch aluminum, as well as anti-lock brakes. There is no harshness to the ride around the city, or on highway bosses for that matter. The HHR is agile, but the suspension shows its limits when driven like a sports car. Chevrolet says it put a lot of time in the calibration of the rack with power steering assist, and it looks like he feels just right, around the city.

Brakes are 11.65-inch discs in front, 10-inch rear drums, and have a mere touch. Electronic-distribution of the braking force, which adjusts the electronic braking, so that the rear wheels do not lock, is not available.

We also conducted a Chevrolet HHR 2LT Group with Preferred Equipment Group and, as expected, found its mirror the performance of the standard five passenger models.

The HHR SS has a 260-hp, 2.0-litre turbo Ecotec intermediate and F23 coupled with a 5-speed manual or Swedish Hydra-Matic 4T45 available 4-speed automatic. The SS rides on the performance Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, mounted on forged 18-inch polished alloy wheels, and the Nurburgring FE5-tuned sport suspension delivered 0.86 g of grip in the tests (with manual transmission). The suspension includes stabilizer bars, spring rates and shock tuning, which were all designed to complement the powertrain turbocharged.

A couple of unique features have been incorporated into the 2008 HHR SS to instill more fun and excitement of driving: Launch Assist No Lift and Shift. Pushing the button Traction Control, once to shut it down, and pushing for a second time in some of the SS Competition Mode, which sets up automatically in the control of the launch at the stop and advances to the next competition mode launch vehicle. This function default traction control back whenever the ignition is switched off. Launch Control behave differently depending on the type of transmission: With a manual transmission, the No Lift Maj. just play on, just call the accelerator, clutch release quietly but quickly, depress the clutch pedal again when it is time to move but not off the throttle, which holds turbo boost pressure at about 1500 psi, which allows a change of speed to take off without the accelerator. It is not at first sight, but it functions more effectively while the tires are screaming. The operation is the same with the automatic transmission, but the torque is used instead: accomplished by holding ground while the brake for the accelerator. The regimes of the engine at about 4100 rpm, then release the brake with the same result early launch. Both features help control wheel spin.

We have conducted a Sunburst Orange Metallic SS II with manual gearbox and Brembo brakes and Tarnished Silver Metallic SS with an automatic transmission in and around Phoenix, as well as an autocross course and the road course at Firebird International Raceway.

The HHR SS handled everything thrown at it exceeds fashion. It literally cooks the line, stopped on a dime, and deals as well as many sports cars, at a bargain price. Ultimately, analysis? Go to the manual transmission and Brembo brakes, and the GM Performance Seat.

The Ecotec 2.4 litres (an update just under the 2LT package) is a versatile and impressive engine. It is a four-cylinder aluminum, 16-valve, electronic fuel injection and variable valve timing, which delivers 175 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. The peak torque at such a high figure suggests that the low rpm pulling power might be low, but rather it is not. We drive up to a strong, slow hill every day, and the HHR connected to the hill, as a tractor without moving downwards or research by the automatic transmission. This high load driving at low speeds, which is what many drivers demand.

Reports of transmission have much to do with the effective delivery of power. Curiously, there is nothing in the reports of the HHR four-speed automatic, it is worth mentioning that make this hill so easily. All we can say is that the power of the HHR 2LT is excellent.

We have no complaints with the four-speed automatic. The remote control includes automatic start, and the escalation in a car on grilled icy morning after the house for a cozy morning coffee is a nice luxury. We appreciated the way the auto could be easily manually downshifted, even if it does not have a separate manual mode. And we liked the way she held second gear down the same steep hill slowly.

The acceleration was equally impressive. On the highway, the foot on the floor, and the HHR 2LT really scoots, which makes it very amusing. The 2.4 litre engine is quiet, thanks in part to specially rolled steel in the firewall.

The 2.4 litre engine is effective. He gets an EPA-rated 22/28 mpg city/highway with an automatic transmission, manual 20/28 mpg with the help of Premium gas. Premium fuel is recommended but not required for the 2.4-litre. During one week in the 2LT, we averaged 23.4 miles per gallon, as indicated by the numerical data on the dashboard. Who comprised mainly around town driving, highway about 120 miles with a full load of passengers and the cruise control set at 70. The HHR was slightly better than the freeway mileage at the rate it has been light around the city on foot.

The best fuel economy comes from the base of the 2.2-litre engine, which is an EPA-rated 22/30 mpg city/highway with an automatic, 21/30 mpg with the manual, all on regular gas.

The 2LT has a sport-tuned suspension with 17-inch aluminum, as well as anti-lock brakes. There is no harshness to the ride around the city, or on highway bosses for that matter. The HHR is agile, but the suspension shows its limits when driven like a sports car. Chevrolet says it put a lot of time in the calibration of the rack with power steering assist, and it looks like he feels just right, around the city.

Brakes are 11.65-inch discs in front, 10-inch rear drums, and have a mere touch. Electronic-distribution of the braking force, which adjusts the electronic braking, so that the rear wheels do not lock, is not available.

We also conducted a Chevrolet HHR 2LT Group with Preferred Equipment Group and, as expected, found its mirror the performance of the standard five passenger models.

The HHR SS has a 260-hp, 2.0-litre turbo Ecotec intermediate and F23 coupled with a 5-speed manual or Swedish Hydra-Matic 4T45 available 4-speed automatic. The SS rides on the performance Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, mounted on forged 18-inch polished alloy wheels, and the Nurburgring FE5-tuned sport suspension delivered 0.86 g of grip in the tests (with manual transmission). The suspension includes stabilizer bars, spring rates and shock tuning, which were all designed to complement the powertrain turbocharged.

A couple of unique features have been incorporated into the 2008 HHR SS to instill more fun and excitement of driving: Launch Assist No Lift and Shift. Pushing the button Traction Control, once to shut it down, and pushing for a second time in some of the SS Competition Mode, which sets up automatically in the control of the launch at the stop and advances to the next competition mode launch vehicle. This function default traction control back whenever the ignition is switched off. Launch Control behave differently depending on the type of transmission: With a manual transmission, the No Lift Maj. just play on, just call the accelerator, clutch release quietly but quickly, depress the clutch pedal again when it is time to move but not off the throttle, which holds turbo boost pressure at about 1500 psi, which allows a change of speed to take off without the accelerator. It is not at first sight, but it functions more effectively while the tires are screaming. The operation is the same with the automatic transmission, but the torque is used instead: accomplished by holding ground while the brake for the accelerator. The regimes of the engine at about 4100 rpm, then release the brake with the same result early launch. Both features help control wheel spin.

We have conducted a Sunburst Orange Metallic SS II with manual gearbox and Brembo brakes and Tarnished Silver Metallic SS with an automatic transmission in and around Phoenix, as well as an autocross course and the road course at Firebird International Raceway.

The HHR SS handled everything thrown at it exceeds fashion. It literally cooks the line, stopped on a dime, and deals as well as many sports cars, at a bargain price. Ultimately, analysis? Go to the manual transmission and Brembo brakes, and the GM Performance Seat.
Source: newcartestdrive

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