Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR is a retro-styled, high-roofed, five-door, five-passenger, front-wheel drive crossover designed by Bryan Nesbitt and launched by the American automaker Chevrolet at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2006 model.
The HHR shares the GM Delta platform with the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn Ion. In Mexico, it was marketed with its predecessor, the Opel-sourced Chevrolet Zafira compact MPV.
Chevrolet marketed a panel van variant of the HHR beginning in 2007. Assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and marketed throughout North America, production of the HHR ended in May 2011.
Design
The vehicle's design was inspired by the late-1940s/early 1950s Chevrolet cars and trucks, specifically the 1947 Chevrolet Suburban and Advance Design pickups, with large, square fender flares and a hemispherical grille. The design of the HHR has been credited to Bryan Nesbitt who was a former designer at Chrysler where he was the lead designer of the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Nesbitt was recruited by GM to join its design staff and served for a time as the chief designer of the Chevrolet brand. The HHR had a cargo-carrying capacity of. All models had a flat-load floor and fold-flat front passenger seat. For the 2007 model year, it was available in five trim levels; LS, LT, 2LT, and Special Edition. A panel van variant was also made available in 2007 for only the LT trim and became available on all trim levels in 2008. A "Half Panel" rear quarter window delete option was available from 2008-2010 model years.Assembly and sales
The HHR was assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, and was available for sale throughout North America. The HHR was also exported to Japan by way of the motor vehicles business unit of Mitsui. Japanese buyers were liable for annual taxes due to the engine displacement and width dimensions which didn't comply with the "compact class" dimension regulations imposed by the Japanese Government. First year sales exceeded 93,000 through June 2006. The HHR was partially sold in Europe and is replaced now by the Chevrolet Orlando. In early 2009, the HHR was discontinued from the Mexican lineup due to poor sales.SS Turbocharged
In October 2006, Cheryl Catton, director of car marketing and retail integration for Chevy, confirmed that a high performance variant of the HHR would be built. The vehicle was expected to be released with SS moniker for the 2008 model year and use the Ecotec LNF turbocharged engine found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line.On August 16, 2007, Chevrolet officially revealed the 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS Turbocharged at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Birmingham, Michigan. It was created by GM's Performance Division and introduced as a 2008 model in the fall of 2007. The SS Turbocharged features a turbocharged Ecotec LNF I4 engine and intercooler that produces , race-tuned high-performance suspension, five-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter, standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes, ground effects with unique front and rear fascias, aggressive black cross-mesh grille, liftgate-mounted aero spoiler, an analog A-pillar-mounted titanium boost gauge, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls, and unique high-polished aluminum wheels.
Chevrolet also introduced the HHR SS Panel Concept on October 30, 2007 at the 2007 SEMA Show. This was made into a production model for the 2009 model year.
The SS model was removed from the market after the 2010 model year due to the shuttering of the GM Performance Division, also known as the GM High Performance Vehicle Operations Group. In addition, GM phased out all GM badges from the front doors for the 2010.5 model year, including the Chevrolet HHR.
In the fourth quarter of 2010, Chevrolet announced that the HHR would be discontinued after the 2011 model year, with the last HHR's available in dealerships starting in late January to early February. HHRs were also available for fleet order until May 2011.
Year-to-year changes
- 2007: HHR Panel launched. Intended for commercial use, the rear side windows & rear seat are deleted & additional floor storage is offered. The 2.4 LE5 engine was retuned for more power while retaining the same fuel economy. The 2.2L L61 engine received some significant internal upgrades including a higher-strength Gen II block and revised cylinder head and camshaft design. The engine also switched from wasted spark ignition to individual coil-on-plug ignition. Upgraded engine was controlled by new 32-bit ECM. These changes increase horsepower slightly and retain similar fuel economy. Ebony interior now available.
- 2008: New "SS" model introduced. "Half Panel" RPO code AA5, rear quarter window delete, option added. Tire pressure monitoring system now standard. GM's OnStar was also now included with every model. Electronic stability control is available as an option. Four new exterior colors available.
- 2009: Flex-Fuel was added to the 2.2 and 2.4 engines. The 2.2 engine now comes with Variable Valve Timing.The interior was slightly changed: power window control switches were relocated from the lower center dashboard to the more traditional driver-side door; interior overhead lighting was improved; AM/FM stereo with USB port was now optionally available on LT/SS models. Side curtain airbags & electronic stability control is now standard across all models.
- 2010: GM phased out all GM badges from the front doors halfway through the model year. 3 new paint colors added, down from 10 color options in 2009. Side curtain airbags & electronic stability control is now standard for Canadian models. Last year for "Half Panel" RPO code AA5, rear quarter window delete option.
- 2011: SS model discontinued. Cashmere interior removed from options.
Engines
| Year | Trim | Engine | Power | Torque | EPA City | EPA HW | EPA Comb. |
| 2006 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec L61 I4 | |||||
| 2006 | LT/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE5 I4 | |||||
| 2007 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec L61 I4 | |||||
| 2007 | LS/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE5 I4 | |||||
| 2008 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec L61 I4 | |||||
| 2008 | LT/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE5 I4 | |||||
| 2008 | SS | 2.0L turbo Ecotec LNF I4 | |||||
| 2009 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec LE8 I4 | |||||
| 2009 | LT/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE9 I4 | |||||
| 2009 | SS | 2.0L turbo Ecotec LNF I4 | |||||
| 2010 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec LE8 I4 | |||||
| 2010 | LT/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE9 I4 | |||||
| 2010 | SS | 2.0L turbo Ecotec LNF I4 | |||||
| 2011 | LS/LT | 2.2L Ecotec LE8 I4 | |||||
| 2011 | LT/2LT | 2.4L Ecotec LE9 I4 |
Flex-Fuel was added to the 2.2 & 2.4 engines for the 2009 model year; these were the first Four-Cylinder Flex-Fuel Engines from GM in North America.
Safety
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests the HHR received a "Good" overall score in the frontal offset crash test, and an "Acceptable" score in side impacts on models equipped with side curtain airbags.Side curtain airbags became standard for 2008 models. However, side torso airbags were never made available.