DRIVERS LOG: 2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Turbo

The 2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Turbo

GM

2009 Chevrolet HHR SS Turbo

IN FLEET: Oct. 8-15
AS-TESTED PRICE: $26,970
DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, five-speed manual
OUTPUT: 260 hp @5,300 rpm, 260 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3,280 LB
FUEL ECONOMY: (EPA/AW) 24/22.7 mpg

SENIOR EDITOR (NEWS) BOB GRITZINGER: Call this the Chevy conundrum. The HHR SS looks old and retro, like a shrunken Suburban from 60 years ago, but at the same time, the body mods, the powertrain and the interior make it feel like a current-day sports car. There’s plenty of turbo power on tap, ample braking and the handling you’d

expect from a highly strung small car. It’s quick and crazy, with insane torque steer on roads with any kind of crown. Because of that, I wouldn’t want this car if my regular drives involved gravel back roads or highly crowned two-lane blacktop. Like other turbo fours in the General Motors portfolio, this one can be mechanical and tractorish in the sounds emanating from under the hood. The power is there, but the noises aren’t so pleasant.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JONATHAN WONG: The overall design is good and easy to navigate, but I do wish for a larger tach on the gauge cluster. The seats are very flat, with little bolster; my back got achy after just 150 miles. Pull from the forced-induction engine is strong, and, as Bob mentioned, torque steer is the order when you lay into it. It takes corners well for a tall wagon, probably helped nicely by the limited-slip included in the optional performance package. Body roll is minimal and will make running around expressway on- and off-ramps entertaining. However, the stiffer shocks and springs specific to the SS are still comfortable to ride around on for normal jogs. Steering feels good, with quick response and nice feedback, and brake performance from the four-pot Brembos in front is much appreciated.

General Motors Sues Parts Supplier to Keep 2010 Chevrolet Camaro On Track

In addition to tightening its multibillion-dollar bootstraps, General Motors is making sure everything set in place before the $9.4 billion gift from American taxpayers continues as planned -- especially when it comes to big ticket items such as the upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. This week, it was revealed by The Wall Street Journal that the struggling automaker is suing one of its bankrupt suppliers in order to ensure production and deliveries of its much needed Camaro muscle car happens next year. The supplier, Troy, Michigan, based Cadence Innovation, was slated to make the Camaro’s consoles and door panels, among numerous other components. It filed for bankruptcy last August and began liquidation of its assets earlier this month. With the demise of one of its main suppliers, GM is facing a drastic ripple effect in production and sales that could cost it tens of millions of dollars. "Even one day's disruption in supply of certain component parts could cause a shutdown of GM assembly operations, disrupting not only GM's business, but the operations of countless suppliers, dealers, customers and other stakeholders," GM stated in the lawsuit filed with the U.S. bankruptcy court. In the suit, GM seeks to acquire Camaro-specific tooling and parts from Cadence in order to provide them to a new supplier by January 12, 2009. It goes without saying, if GM fails to keep its 2010 Camaro production on schedule, it won’t help its case for further federal assistance.