I had the same feeling once in an automatic equipped Subaru WRX. You see, everyone who pulls up beside you at a stoplight wants to see what the car can do, and when, in the case of the SSR, its 300-hp and 331 lb-ft of torque only results in a 0 to 100 km/h time of
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| Due to its hefty curb weight, the SSR's 300-hp and 331 lb-ft of torque only result in a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
7.8 seconds (0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds) and the ΒΌ-mile (0.4 km) at 15.9 seconds at 90 mph (145 km/h), well I'd rather be in a PT Cruiser GT Turbo - at about half the cost. Really! Its four-banger might not sound as sweet, but the little Chrysler retro pulls 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds. But before you start getting upset at GM for going cheap under the SSR's hood, give them some credit for fitting a completely new aluminum block to the 5.3-L lump. It saves 45.4 kg (100 lbs) over the previous 5.3-L, and should find its way into more mainstream GM trucks and SUVs soon.
The 4-speed automatic doesn't feature a manual mode, which would have been nice, but does cut off the traction control automatically if clicked back to the "1"
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| A low center of gravity and big meaty tires make the SSR one of the best handling pickups I've driven to date. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
position. Just the same it's a challenge to get any rubber out of the tires. First of all they're so fat and sticky that they just chirp a little before gripping down and getting on with business. Secondly, first gear is either too tall or power too small to effectively spin the tires. Or maybe it has something to do with the weight issue? Its excessive poundage made it feel ponderous in corners too, but nevertheless handled better than the majority of pickups I've tried to date. This might have something to do with its low center of gravity and those meaty tires I just mentioned. They're P255/45R19 front and P295/40R20 rear Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires on 19- and 20-inch 5-spoke alloy rims respectively. But still, it's no Corvette.
