The new Chevy HHR SS is setting itself apart from the crowd and apart from the usual cars that Chevy makes. Ok so the outside may not be to different, but when it comes to what is lying under the hood…that’s where it counts.
The most important changes are the turbocharger and intercooler that reside under its hood. That’s because they boost power and torque from the 2.0-liter direct-injection Ecotec four to a stratospheric 260 horses and 260 pound-feet, as seen in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line, all running through the front wheels.
This is a huge boost over the regular HHR’s 143-hp or 171-hp naturally aspirated four-cylinders and should keep the HHR SS very competitive with the upcoming 280-hp Dodge Caliber SRT4 in straight-line performance, once either vehicle manages to find traction through the fog of wheelspin and torque steer.
Once it gets a grip, though, GM says the HHR SS should be able to achieve a 0-to-60-mph sprint in 6.3 seconds or so, and the company is claiming a 150-plus-mph top speed when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. There’s also a four-speed auto, but overall power drops to 235 horsepower if it’s fitted. So not only do you get the boring transmission, but you also get a horsepower penalty.
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