Blackout: Chevy HHR Fall Limited Edition

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
- The Rolling Stones, "Paint It Black"
We know Mick wasn't singing about the the new HHR Fall Limited Edition rolling off the assembly line. It was 1966, after all. Things were all good in Detroit. Those were the days when "SS" really meant "SS" and a compact 4-banger retro-wagon was the last thing on any GM exec's mind. We'd go so far as to say that the mere concept would have been considered heresy.
But times change, and the lyric could very much be applied to this just-announced special-edition HHR. After all, the Fall Limited Edition is very, very black. Black paint, black chrome, black interior, tinted lamps -- the normally perky little HHR is all gothed up, and you know what, it looks pretty good this way.
Chevy will build 4,000 of them, and you can darken your garage with one for the entirely reasonable sum of $20,265*.
*Rolling Stones CD not included
(Additional photo, press release after the jump)
[Source: GM]

PRESS RELEASE:
Chevy HHR Fall Limited Edition Is Anything But Basic In All Black
DETROIT - Chevy announced the HHR Fall Limited Edition, a limited-production model with a striking, all-black appearance, including unique "black chrome" trim on the grille, door handles and 17-inch wheels. Only 4,000 examples will be built.
The HHR Fall Limited Edition is based on the popular HHR 2LT package, which includes the FE3 Sports Suspension Package. An Ebony interior with cloth seats is standard; leather-appointed seating is available. It is available for immediate ordering, with an MSRP of $20,265.
"The Fall Limited Edition model adds depth and excitement to the HHR lineup," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "Since its launch, customers have responded to the HHR's combination of great styling, great fuel economy and outstanding value - attributes that have made it one of Chevy's hottest new vehicles."
Indeed, Chevy HHR has exceeded expectations. Sales are on track to carry it to more than 100,000 units for the 2006 calendar year - far more than the 60,000-unit projection.
"The HHR is one of the most personalized vehicles on the market, and the Fall Limited Edition gives customers a custom look - especially with the unique, black chrome accents - right from the dealership," said Peper.
Black chrome is a special, tinted chrome finish featuring Lacks Enterprise's Spinelle™ Metal Finish. Its multicoat metal tinting process creates a unique, color-tinted appearance that maintains the depth and reflectivity of traditional chrome.
Fall Limited Edition details
The special and specific content of the HHR Fall Limited Edition includes:
* 2LT trim with FE3 Sports Suspension Package
* Seventeen-inch black chrome wheels
* Black exterior color
* Black chrome grille
* Black chrome door handles
* Black chrome rear beauty bar
* Black chrome body-side stripe
* Black-painted outside mirrors
* Black-painted running boards
* Tinted headlamp and fog lamp lenses
* Black-painted roof spoiler
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls and accent stitching
* Ebony interior - cloth standard; leather available.
HHR 2LT standard equipment includes:
* Ecotec 2.4L DOHC engine with 149 horsepower (111 kW) and 152 lb.-ft. of torque (205 Nm)
* Antilock brakes
* Air conditioning
* AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and MP3 playback
* 260-watt Pioneer premium seven-speaker sound system, including subwoofer
* Leather-wrapped shift knob
* 60/40-split folding rear seat
* Fold-flat front passenger seat
* Power windows and locks
* Power-adjustable driver's seat
* Driver information center with oil life monitor
* Remote keyless entry
* Speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers
* Electrochromic mirror with compass.
Factory-installed remote starting is available with the optional four-speed automatic transmission. OnStar and XM Satellite Radio also are available, as are a host of GM accessories designed to complement the HHR driving experience.
Efficient and safe
The HHR is one of the segment's safest and most efficient vehicles. It delivers 30 miles per gallon on the highway and can travel up to 450 miles on a tank of gas.
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.
Style and functionality
HHR is a four-door vehicle with a rear touchpad liftgate. Its high roof evokes the look of the innovative 1949 Chevy Suburban, while other exterior cues carry unmistakably Chevy elements, such as the gold bowtie grille badge and round taillamps, which are reminiscent of earlier Corvettes.
The HHR features an open interior that provides the spaciousness and cargo capacity of an SUV. It has easy-to-maneuver dimensions and room for just about any lifestyle interest. The rear seats fold flat, providing 57.7 cubic feet (1,634 L) of storage space without having to remove a seat. With the rear seats up, the straight roofline and rear liftgate maximize cargo capacity, offering 25.2 cubic feet (638 L). Reconfigurable and convenient storage compartments accommodate everything from groceries to surfboards.
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.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chuck goolsbee 6:05PM (9/19/2006)
Everytime I see one of these I can't help but think, "It's a ripped off PT Cruiser"... which in itself is a bastardized panel truck shunk in size as to be useless.
Why is it that the Big 3 can't do something that has unique style? Or if they do, it is done so poorly (read: PT, SSR, Soltice/Sky) and has dealers putting on shoulder-length Veterinarian gloves to reach deep into prospective customer wallets?
And... Why is it that damn near EVERY PT Cruiser I see says "Limited Edition" on it? Shouldn't those be the minority?
wondering...
--chuck
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Richard Warren 6:54PM (9/19/2006)
#1 "Why is it that the Big 3 can't do something that has unique style?"
Same question for network TV shows.
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Maurice 10:48PM (9/19/2006)
Is this in case you can't get a Lamborghini Gallardo Privilegio...
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GM Lover 7:07PM (9/19/2006)
Hey Up-Chuck-
Everytime *I* see one of these I think of how much better this looks than the PT Cruiser. And you know what? I get to think that a lot since they are all over the place and selling well...seems a lot of people agree. Really, it's a freakin' two box design...how much can you make it different???
Besides, your post contradicts itself. If the cars were done so poorly then how are the dealers getting away with "putting on shoulder-length Veterinarian gloves to reach deep into prospective customer wallets?" If they were such awful vehicles then they would be languishing on dealer lots with poor sales and deep discounting going on.
BTW, I am SO sure that dealers didn't gouge when the Honda S2000 came out or the Mazda Miata or the Toyota Prius, etc. This is not limited to one manufacturer.
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The Mayonaise King 7:16PM (9/19/2006)
This car is a blast to drive, I love it and would buy one in a heartbeat.
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Stoneman 7:29PM (9/19/2006)
I dont' care for the HHR. Ugly. But I do like the Scion xB... yes it's ugly but heck, it's cool.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Fabulo 7:35PM (9/19/2006)
Mr King, we probably have different notion of 'blast to drive'. This 1.5 ton porker with a wheezy 4 speed auto and 170lb/ft of maximum torque, being a tall wagon and all, does not strike me as a blast.
I'm not daring enough to go test drive one at my local chevy dealership (too creepy) so I'll have to wait until I have to rent a car.
Also the press release is mixed up. The power/torque number are for the 2.2 ecotec. the 2.4 ecotec gets a slightly better ~170/170 hp/lbft.
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laserwizard 8:18AM (9/20/2006)
Oh, boy! Black HHR special edition. Next thing you know they'll launch an easy bake oven edition for that silly little fairy that can't touch the Dodge Caliber.
What a yawner!
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ndchamp 11:06PM (9/19/2006)
Wifey sat down in an 07 HHR in our local Chevy dealer's lot. Says she, "These seats are TOO small! I'm hanging over."
Being married for over 25 years, I try to avoid being too stupid, so I reply; "I noticed that too, honey. These seats are just too small to be comfortable."
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Andy 12:11AM (9/20/2006)
The HHR is a blatant rip-off of the PT Cruiser, but I'd rather have it than a Tahoe with these LA gas prices.
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cheezedog420 10:05PM (9/20/2006)
I like the way it looks, but the power is just not up to SS warrented specs in my book.
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y2jmp 3:57AM (9/20/2006)
One Comment it may be a blatant rip off, but it does the style so much better then the PT. The PT may have have got there first but the HHR is just an awsome example of a good blast from the past design. I dont care about the XB or the Element, the only boxed design that I care about is That of the Hummer kind. I am a little bias, I like Chevy's.
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BLS 10:03AM (9/20/2006)
there is no way that the 2.4 engine only has 149 hp.
By the way 260hp ecotec turbo in hhr seems like it is worthier of SS than supercharged cobalt.
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Ricardo Reyes 10:16AM (9/20/2006)
"The HHR is a blatant rip-off of the PT Cruiser..."
Actually, the HHR is a blantant rip-off of the 1949 Suburban!! Pratically the same mirrors, grille, and fender flares.
http://www.bobscustomcreations.com/images/Van%20Book%20Pictures/images/034_JPG.jpg
http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/ssr_triosepai.gal1.jpg
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Shat 7:33PM (9/20/2006)
If the PT cruiser is a bathtub, this thing would be a POOL.
BTW, not a blackout unless it has black rims and black taillights too.
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len simpson 8:55PM (9/20/2006)
happiest 15K miles i,ve ever driven out of a total 850K
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Peter Frampton 4:09PM (10/26/2006)
The Rolling Stones are on the new Peter Frampton CD!
Its an instrumental - Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, The Shadows, the Grateful Dead, etc. The Black Hole Sun track is gonna be wicked!
anyway, check the ecard to listen to the new album
http://www.umecard.com/frampton/
peace
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Dale 11:54PM (6/24/2007)
Yeah, a blatant rip-off... cept that Chevy had the design 50 years before the PT Loser came along. So I guess we know which is the rip-off.
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balewrangler 8:23AM (6/26/2007)
We have a 2007 HHR 1LT. It is the best all-around vehicle that we have owned. Comfortable (and I am 6-2, 250), fun to drive, and mileage better than the window sticker. (We are getting an honest-to-goodness 28 mpg city and 34 highway.) We recently drove it through the WV mountains and had absolutely no trouble keeping up with the flow of traffic. Even though it is unfashionable to think so, this is actually an American car that is worth the price (even if it is assembled in Mexico).
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Ron 12:38PM (10/31/2007)
Thank you, I also own an 07 1LT. love the car, it works for everything I seem to need. Plenty of room, enough power, not like its meant to be a racer. the leather seats are very comfortable. and anything that warms your ass at the touch of a button is ok by me. So to those who feel they must post how much you dont like it, dont buy one. And as for it being a rip off, well how can it be a rip off when it was styled after the 50's delivery sedans. And gee guys the same guy who designed the pt for Chrysler is the same guy who designed this car. I guess GM was just willing to ket him do a better job this time around.