2006 Chevy HHR Preview

For shifting duties, a Getrag F23 5-speed manual transmission, featuring synchros on all five forward gears as well as

The HHR should offer a fairly quiet ride, at least if it manages to carry forward some of the attributes of its Cobalt/Pursuit donor car. (Photo: General Motors Company of Canada)

reverse, will be standard, and a Hydra-Matic 4T45-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic will be made available across the line. Depending on engine choice, final gearing will differ with each transmission.

Along with the smooth operating engines the HHR should offer a fairly quiet ride, at least if it manages to carry forward some of the attributes of its Cobalt/Pursuit donor car. GM's small car architecture includes a rigid lower-dominant structure, improving ride and handling, plus NVH levels and crash worthiness. Like the Cobalt/Pursuit, the HHR will incorporate Quiet Steel laminated panels in the plenum, a sophisticated technology that makes its sedan siblings feel more premium than their economy price tags initially let on.

Along with the extensive use of high-strength steel and ultra-high-strength steel, in key structural components such as the rocker

The HHR will also feature an adaptation of the agile Cobalt/Pursuit suspension setup. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

panels and cross-car reinforcing beam, a "safety cage" surrounding the passenger cell provides load-carrying protection and, together with laser-welded blanks integrated into the door frames, plus front and rear doors, aids in the new crossover's low NVH levels and crash protection.

Before delving into safety features, it's important to mention that the HHR will also feature an adaptation of the Cobalt/Pursuit suspension setup. Up front, MacPherson struts take care of impact absorption, while a semi-independent, torsion beam suspension setup smoothes out the rear.