AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Chevrolet HHR Pictures & Comments

Here are some good pictures of the HHR concept vehicle from Automobile magazine. The interior is handsome, but I still think the vehicle will be a flop. Here's why: It's too heavy. Chevy has not (to my knowledge) published the weight of the HHR, but it has to be heavy. The Dodge Neon weighs about 2700 lbs. The PT Cruiser based upon the Neon weighs 3100-3200 lbs, about the same as a Stratus. PT Cruiser owners report worse performance and fuel economy than the Stratus, probably because of poor aerodynamics. The HHR will probably have the same problems but even more so. The GM Delta platform is heavy, the base weight for a Chevrolet Cobalt appears to be about 2800, and an all-options version comes in at about 3100 lbs. If the HHR is 500 lbs heavier, you're looking at a curb weight of around 3600 lbs, or about the same as a Buick LaSabre, a short-wheelbase Chevrolet Venture or midsized Equinox SUV. The most powerful engine planned for the HHR is the 170 hp Ecotech four cylinder. Torque figures for the 170 hp engine arent' available, but I'm guessing it's around 150 ft.lb. This is about 25% shy of the 200 ft.lb available in the base engines for both the Venture and the LaSabre. The bottom line is that the HHR will probably feel wheezy and underpowered. The HHR will probably have inferior performance and fuel economy to its showroom sibling, the Equinox.

2006 Chevrolet HHR - Automobile Magazine