Autoblog

Click the image above for full-size, high-res pics.

In an effort to drum up enthusiasm for Chevy's new HRR panel wagon, The General decided to enlist the help of some art students and the results hit on both the sick and sweet sides of the spectrum.

The "Skull from Hell" version (seriously, check the red headlamps) of the HHR was developed by Jim McCammon, hailing from Detroit's College for Creative Studies, and was picked by a number of suits, including Bob Lutz, as the winner of the design contest. The idea, we're assuming, is to appeal to that much coveted 18-25 year-old Death Metal demographic that's moving out of their parent's basement and heading out on tour.

The other skinned wagon took a slightly more practical approach as a flower shop delivery van. Regardless, both vehicles can come equipped in either LS or LT trims, with a 149 HP 2.2-liter or a 175 HP 2.4-liter four. No matter the mill, GM boasts that you'll still get 30 MPG on the highway -- sans amps and flowerpots, mind you.

We've put together a gallery of both vehicles below, and if you really want us to, we'll grab a few live shots on Thursday.

UPDATE: Hi res images and press release added



Who knows why automakers seem attracted to the utilitarian nature and claustrophobic accomodations of panel vehicles lately, but we're not complaining. Dodge is the latest to join the fray by offering up renderings of the Nitro Panel Wagon concept that will be displayed at this year's SEMA show near the end of the month. As per the requirements for being labeled a panel van, the Nitro Panel Wagon features windowless side panels and a flat load floor. Mike Ellis of DCX tells us that designers are also going to pimp the Panel Wagon with some cool ground effects. Whether that means neon tubes lighting up the frame or just new front and rear bumpers plus side skirts remains to be seen, although we can clearly see some exterior mods on the rendered vehicle that leads us to believe the latter (please don't put neons on your concept, Chrysler).

Unlike the Chevy HHR Panel that was recently announced for production, Chrysler is not saying if there's a production line in this panel van's future. We're all about panel vans, so we say do it. Chevy cannot be allowed to be the only domestic automaker with a production panel van. A panel wagon war between the domestics is exactly what we need right now to take our minds off of quarterly earnings and monthly sales figures. You don't think it'd be an irresponsible use of precious resources, do you? Whatev, build 'em.

More renderings after the jump...

[Source: DCX]