2006 Chevy HHR Preview

Two tuning levels are available, with the LS and 1LT getting the standard FE1 setup and the LT featuring an FE3

A "safety cage" surrounding the passenger cell provides load-carrying protection and crash protection. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

suspension. As expected the FE1 undercarriage optimizes ride over handling, with standard 16-inch wheels, while the FE3 is more suited to performance-oriented drivers. Its standard 17-inch wheels and monotube shocks should make for a slightly stiffer ride, but ride and handling should also increase measurably.

Rack-and-pinion steering is standard across the HHR line, complete with a speed-sensitive, variable-effort system dubbed Electric Power Steering (EPS). While tuned separately for each suspension setting, which aids steering feel, EPS rids the car of an engine-driven power steering pump, plus its fluid

HHR will start production in the summer of 2005 and become available the following fall as a 2006 model. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

reservoir and associated plumbing, benefiting fuel consumption and potential environmental contaminants.

What about stopping power? The HHR features large front discs and rear drums, with ABS standard on 2LT models, as previously mentioned, and available on LS and 1LT models.

I mentioned before that I would touch on the HHR's crash protection systems, and other than its rigid safety cage it includes the requisite driver and front passenger frontal airbags, as well as front safety belt pretensioners and rear seat center lap-shoulder belts and the LATCH child seat retention system as standard equipment. Also available are head curtain side airbags for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers, plus OnStar with Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN).