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[Chris_Doane]

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Edited October 15, 2006 by CD/BP

[Derek77]

Chevy HHR Panel Delivers Style, Function And Fun In A New, Segment-Exclusive Configuration

The 2007 HHR Panel, designed for a myriad commercial and private uses, adds a new dimension of functionality to the popular HHR’s lineup of stylish, efficient vehicles.

The HHR Panel features windowless side panels and rear cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor provides more than 57 cubic feet (1,614 L) of cargo space, along with approximately 6 cubic feet (170 L) of additional covered, under-floor storage.

“The HHR Panel is a model unlike anything else in the segment, and it continues HHR’s mission of offering customers a bold, expressive, functional and different vehicle,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It’s great for delivery companies and other small businesses, but we think auto enthusiasts will love it too, as it gives them a large canvas on which to express their individuality.”

HHR Panel production is expected to start late in the first quarter of 2007. It will be offered in LS and LT trims, with 2.2L and 2.4L engines – both of which help the HHR deliver 30 mpg in highway driving.

“Business customers will see great value in the HHR Panel,” said Peper. “There aren’t many vehicles designed for commercial use that provide 30 mpg.”

Exterior and interior details

HHR’s styling draws upon inspiration from the original 1949 Chevy Suburban, which was built on a platform that also offered panel models – vehicles that became essential tools for urban and small businesses. Over the years, vintage panel vehicles have become prized by collectors and street rodders. The HHR marks the next chapter in Chevy’s panel heritage.

The body of the HHR Panel features steel inserts in place of side windows and cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. The cargo doors open wide to enable cargo access from both sides of the vehicle, as well as from the rear liftgate. The cargo doors don’t have external handles; they are opened via a dashboard release button. The continuous “canvas” created by the windowless cargo doors and rear panels provides a large area for business logos, advertising or personalization.

An auxiliary power outlet is available in the rear of the cargo area, with available 40-amp service for a variety of specialty equipment needs. This also answers the call of upfitters, who have asked for an additional power source to suit their specialty vehicles.

Inside, the HHR Panel has seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor. Tie-down points are located strategically on the floor and the available, robust floor mats enable easier movement of cargo. Two large storage compartments are located under the cargo floor – in the approximate place of the rear seats of passenger models. When ordered with the optional lockable doors, the compartments are secure and large enough to hold small computer equipment, flashlights, service manuals and other valuable equipment that is more secure when hidden.

Standard and available features

HHR Panel is available in LS and LT trim. Both models come with a fuel-efficient 2.2L engine rated at 149 horsepower (111 kW). The LT model offers a 2.4L engine rated at 175 horsepower (130 kW). With either engine, the HHR is rated at 30 mph in highway driving and can provide up to 450 miles of cruising range on a tank of gas.

Power front seats, a family of radios with MP3 capability, XM Satellite Radio and OnStar are available on both LS and LT models. LT models also offer 17-inch wheels and leather-appointed seating.

Standard safety features include dual-stage frontal air bags with GM’s Passenger Sensing System. This system works with the front passenger seat and differentiates between adults – 5 th percentile females and larger – and small children or child seats to adjust air bag deployment. Head curtain side-impact air bags are available.

OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available on the HHR Panel, enhancing its value as a courier or delivery-type vehicle. OnStar Turn-by-Turn provides verbal instructions to assist the driver with right- and left-hand turn directions; and it establishes a new route if the driver needs to get back on track, for example, if a freeway exit is missed.

Since its launch, HHR has received five-star crash ratings – the highest rating awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program. The five-star ratings were awarded for the driver and right-front passenger in a frontal crash, as well as five-star side-impact crash ratings for front seat and rear seat passengers. The HHR also was the highest-rated SUV for the 2006 model year in NHTSA rollover testing.

Chevrolet is America's No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States , Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

[blue-bowtie]

Article on GM Media Site Edited October 6, 2006 by blue-bowtie

[SingleStylish]

THIS DANG THING HAS SHAVED DOOR HANDLES!!! THAT'S PRETTY DARN COOL!

[Cory Wolfe]

Looks like GM is taking the HHR in places the PT could have gone, but didn't.

[loki]

looks good, prolly won't be a huge seller, but it'll get sales for sure.... like audio enthusiasts and small businesses.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

People are going to customize the hell out of these.

I like it. The more versions of the HHR, the better. That little wagon is going to go places.

[FAPTurbo]

Effing Awesome. I can't wait to see these on the roads. Some more style on the street never hurts.

[CSpec]

Wow... I had no idea this was coming and it looks pretty cool.

[Northstar]

That's pretty cool. Now they need to offer it on the SS.

[chevelle454]

Very Cool

[ocnblu]

Wow, looks like we were blindsided (ha) by this one. Very cool.

[big blue]

Gotta admit, that thing is damn practical and it ain't half bad looking either. We've been looking at the HHR as a Home Depot runner for the family, maybe we should go a little more hardcore and get the Panel version hah.

[the_yellow_dart]

Cool. Nice to see GM going out on a limb a bit more with their regular products.

Although, maybe that doesn't always work. (SSR)

I guess we'll see what people think.

[Intrepidation]

Look at that huge wedge of har dplastic on the door panel! Oh well...it's a cargo truck so it doesn't matter.

[HarleyEarl]

Absolutely love this....I'd get it before the window version and I'm not a plumber.....well not in the truest sense of the word.

[Derek77]

Please combine all the HHR Panel threads. I thought mine would die a quick death, but the flies are piling on.

[Dsuupr]

I wonder if this will be the replacement for the Astro in the car stereo world.

[91z4me]

It may look cool but the blindspot could hide 2 Suburbans.

[ToniCipriani]

So after all they did listen... good sign.

[pow]

Nice. How much cheaper is it going to be?

[ShadowDog]

Holy crap... I mean, I actually like it! Now that's something a business could get its name on and be recognized for.

[Solstice007]

Why is there what looks to be a cupholder (middle of the pic) for the non-existant rear-seat passengers?

[ToniCipriani]

Why is there what looks to be a cupholder (middle of the pic) for the non-existant rear-seat passengers?

202514[/snapback]

They won't be designing a new console just because of a new bodystyle. Who cares anyways? There's always other creative uses for the thing.

[Satty]

I was assuming the rear seat is still there, the press release said its 5 passenger.

Edit: Nevermind, I just re-read the specs, 2-passenger, 5-door. Had it mixed up.

Edited October 8, 2006 by Satty

[frogger]

I'm wondering why the little storage bin where the rear passenger seat was is so small

Edited October 8, 2006 by frogger

[ocnblu]

Hmmm... I wonder how long that sleeping, I mean cargo floor is...

How about one in Juniper Green with body-color alloys and dogdish hubcaps...

[toesuf94]

man! That is cool. The cup holder out back wil be handy for those larger drinks that you don't want to trip over up front. I use the rear cup holders all the time in my Tahoe - even when I am alone.

I like the body colored steelies and do dish caps look on this one...that sounds like a good idea. Finally a wor vehicle for people who do not need a Full Sized Van to get the work done.

Thanks GM...so, when these start selling - how soon 'til DCX decides to build one too?

[Camino LS6]

This just might be the coolest FWD vehicle on the market.

[ToniCipriani]

Call me crazy, but I want one like this, just with white walls and moon disc hubcaps. Oh, and chrome the bumpers too.

Edited October 8, 2006 by ToniCipriani

[Robert Hall]

Cool.

[Backup7]

With either engine, the HHR is rated at 30 mph in highway driving

[cavalier36]

I like it, but that will be a heck of a blindspot.. and i thought the blind spot in a cobalt sedan and a grand prix was bad. i know ive driven both and almost side swiped someone in both cars..

[elrev07]

Yeah, the blind spot is a huge issue, I've driven quite a few of these when i was employed at a chevy dealer and it's difficult to see out of it even with windows.

either way, this is a cool looking HHR, and chevy could very well have a hit. People will just have to learn to really use mirrors, like driving an Express Cargo Van or the like.

[Member55]

It may look cool but the blindspot could hide 2 Suburbans.

202285[/snapback]

The blindspot on my Chevy cargo van is nothing better.

[HarleyEarl]

blindspots are not an issue with me.......Consumers Reports cares more about that sort of thing. Busdrivers, truckers, vanners, convertiblers all have blind spots. You adjust your driving to it.

[Jazzhead]

That rear cupholder will come in handy for the adult beverage for the occupants of the "Astroturf" area of this cool cruiser!

[PurdueGuy]

Put a converse mirror below the regular, and ta-da! No more blind spot... if you know how to use mirrors. Good thing this won't generally be in the hands of the average teenager or others who haven't learned proper use of a mirror yet.

[ocnblu]

I'm thinking Imperial Blue 2LT with Ebony leather, roof rack, running boards, 5 speed, and black alloys with machined lip.

[Member55]

Put a converse mirror below the regular, and ta-da! No more blind spot... if you know how to use mirrors. 

202634[/snapback]

[Cadavillac]

Blindspots can be all but eliminated if people adjusted their mirrors correctly. If you look in all three mirrors can you see the same car in both outside mirrors and the inside rearview mirror? Why have three mirrors if they're all showing you the same thing?

Here's what I do: I lean my head as close to the driver side window as I can (think: ear against glass), then adjust my mirror until I can barely see the side of the car. Then I lean to the right (pretty much over the armrest) and adjust the passenger side mirror until I can barely see the right side of the car. Problem solved.

Now when a car is barrelling up behind me I can see him in my rearview mirror and when he disappears from my rearview mirror he'll be in my side mirror and when you can no longer see him in the side mirror he'll right beside your car and you can see him in your peripheral vision.

Before any dissenters jump all over this post and says it doesn't work, try it. It takes getting used to if you're used to seeing the same thing in all your mirrors all the time, but when you've grown accustomed to this way you'll never ever ever go back. Trust me... if this method works in a 21ft long hearse with the curtains all the way around it should work well in an itty bitty little HHR as well.

Edited October 9, 2006 by Cadavillac

[prontostar]

You know what would be in idea?...making the panel section a pickup bed. I wonder if it's possible with the platform. It would be a more efficient surfboard hauler than my silverado...

They can call it the SSR...

[Robert Hall]

Yeah, the blind spot is a huge issue, I've driven quite a few of these when i was employed at a chevy dealer and it's difficult to see out of it even with windows.

either way, this is a cool looking HHR, and chevy could very well have a hit. People will just have to learn to really use mirrors, like driving an Express Cargo Van or the like.

202596[/snapback]

A coworker had an HHR as a dealer loaner last week, and we went out to lunch..I rode in the front and back, and it's pretty hard to see out of...tiny windows and huge pillars.

[PurdueGuy]

I like the pickup HHR idea, but I expect it's a uniframe vehicle, and would take a LOT of engineering to get it stiff enough if that change was made. Should be do-able though, after all, Chrysler did the convertible PT.

(GM, please make a pickup version before a silly convertible version.)

[csaba1218]

Put a converse mirror below the regular, and ta-da! No more blind spot... if you know how to use mirrors.  Good thing this won't generally be in the hands of the average teenager or others who haven't learned proper use of a mirror yet.

202634[/snapback]

Thats all it takes to fix that problem, but i think you mean a Convex Mirror, it's ok we all make mistakes. This thing is nice though, i really like this idea. Except why is the cargo floor so high up it seems just like the seats are folded down?

[sciguy_0504]

Does anyone know the price/availability for this? I'm going to search around GM's site. My dad would love to have one for his company.

Edit: Production starts first quarter 2007 so I guess deliveries in second quarter?

Edited October 9, 2006 by sciguy_0504

[PurdueGuy]

but i think you mean a Convex Mirror

202940[/snapback]

yeah - all I could think of was concave, and I knew that wasn't right. lol All I could think of was this:

Edited October 9, 2006 by PurdueGuy

[Moriarty]

Cool. Nice to see GM going out on a limb a bit more with their regular products.

Although, maybe that doesn't always work. (SSR)

I guess we'll see what people think.

202195[/snapback]

It may be going out on a limb, but it's extremely practical, which means that people will buy it because they will use it. Which, unfortunately, wasn't true for the SSR.

[cavalier36]

a pickup HHR wouldnt be that bad of an idea.. it could sort of replace the SSR.. but make it with a fixed roof.. the SSR didnt do well because it was impractible, way too costly, and it was too overweight to make it any kind of performance vehicle..

[Dragon]

damn its tough being right

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...wtopic=5715&hl=