Chevrolet HHR SS

At Chevrolet, cubic inches and horsepower ratings share a high-performance legacy with alphabetic designations.The most prominent designation--and, since the 1980s, arguably one of the most abused--is SS, or Super Sport. So forgive us for our initial skepticism when we first saw an SS-monogrammed HHR last August at the Woodward Dream Cruise. The HHR SS looked mean enough, squatting on 18-inch split-spoke polished forged-aluminum wheels with a snout extended by a burly air-dam-style bumper, black mesh upper and lower grilles and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. But super looks do not make a Super Sport.

We let down our guard a bit when John Heinricy, respected race driver and engineering executive for the GM Performance Division that builds the HHR SS, said the car turned an 8:43.52-minute lap at the Nürburgring. That eclipsed the class record of a 240-hp Opel Zafira OPC by more than 10 seconds.

The engine produces 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque when paired with the five-speed manual trans, 235 hp and 223 lb-ft with the four-speed automatic. Both transmissions include "launch mode" that switches off traction control. Manual transmissions add "no-lift shift" that allows nearly 6300-rpm redline "speed shifts" without releasing the accelerator pedal. Chevy claims this gets you from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds.

Chevy folks noted that console-mounted window switches were moved to the doors to allow engineers to relocate the short-shift manual unit farther forward and higher to fall readily at hand. In addition, the upgraded interior includes an A-pillar-mounted boost gauge, instrument panel with 140-mph speedometer and supportive driver's sport seat.

© Source: autoweek
We need your comments below >>