Throughout the day, we’ve been seeing reports surface online of GM killing high-performance trim levels of a few models across its brands. We contacted the company and can now confirm that a number of these stories are indeed true.
The least surprising cancellation is the Pontiac G6 GXP, which will not see a 2010 model year. It sported a slightly more powerful V-6 engine than the G6 GT and a six-speed automatic.
GM’s Red Tag Sale has become a bit of a holiday tradition, usually starting in December. However, the abysmal economy has forced the company to roll out the sale a month early this year. Dealers are instructed to clearly place the price consumers will pay after incentives and other fees have been calculated and deducted on a big, red tag on each vehicle. (The tag’s price excludes factory-to-dealer incentives, as well as other stackable incentives like recent grad cash back, auto show bonus cash, and tax, title and registration fees.)
First up in our list of such incentives is Chevrolet. A variety of incentives (or, to be technical, the Red Tag Sale price) are available on 2008 and 2009 models. A full list is available on GM’s Red Tag Sale page. Even new models like the Chevy Traverse crossover are severely discounted. A selection of available Red Tag pricing deals are listed below, though they may vary depending on what region of the country you’re in:
GM is recalling 296,422 of its Chevy HHR crossovers from the 2006-08 model years due to a faulty latch on a storage bin. During government testing, a storage compartment on the top of the dashboard failed to remain closed during a test to see if it would remain closed after an impact. The open door could lead to a passenger head impact.
GM will provide latch reinforcement and instructions to owners, or will install the reinforcement for them. The recall is expected to begin in November, but concerned owners can contact GM now at 1-800-630-2438.
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Recall Alert: 2006-08 Chevrolet HHR (KickingTires)
The HHR is a car I've had a lot of experience with as a rental car, driving it for everything from camping trips and triathlons to ski races. The faster, sportier SS version was new to me, though, and I hadn’t written about those previous HHRs, so now seemed as good a time as any.
For 2008, Chevrolet rolled out two high-performance SS versions of its small SUV-like HHR and its Cobalt compact car. Both have similar powertrain and suspension upgrades that make them SS models, and we recently got a chance to take both on the track at Road America in Wisconsin. We also put them side by side in this video to note the differences between these new turbocharged, high-performance compacts.
GM is recalling more than 180,000 Chevy HHRs due to poor crash-test ratings — an unusual cause. The company is going to insert energy-absorbent materials into the headliner of all models not equipped with roof-mounted airbags.
Model year 2006-08 HHRs are included in the recall. It’s extremely rare for a car company to fail a standard federal safety test, and we’re surprised it took so long for the recall to take place, since it involves a 3-year-old model. For more information, contact Chevrolet at 800-630-2438.
GM Recalling 180,000 Chevrolet HHRs (NHTSA via Autoblog)
This morning at the Chicago Auto Show, GM announced that the 2009 edition of the Chevy HHR will feature a four-cylinder E85 engine standard, making it the first four-cylinder that can run on the renewable fuel.
There will be two versions of the engine: a 2.2-liter and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, both of which will be E85-capable flex-fuel engines, meaning they can run on regular gas or ethanol-derived E85. The 2009 HHRs will go on sale later this year.
Mileage estimates weren’t released, but other Chevy flex-fuel engines deliver roughly 25% worse fuel economy when running on E85 than when running on regular gasoline. The current HHR gets 22/30 mpg city/highway and 20/28 mpg for the 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter engines, respectively, on regular gasoline. A 25% drop would knock those city numbers well into the teens.
Chevy calls this a concept but then goes around and whispers that the HHR Panel SS will be a limited edition production model sometime in the future, namely 2009. We’re a bit boggled at that late date, as a fully windowed HHR SS will be out in 2008 with the exact same powertrain.
We were surprised the HHR Panel even made it into production, so this almost seems logical. What else is there to say about this concept? Um…it has 20-inch wheels? OK, we admit, we’re only a few cars into the SEMA show preview and we’re getting bored. And remember, this attitude exists even though we’re just covering cars and concepts likely to go into production, not all the radical custom stuff of interest to even fewer people.
One complaint about the Chevy HHR — and I have more than one — is its puny power plant. It might be adequate for point-to-point errand running, but it leaves a lot to be desired for those who admire the hot-rod looks of the retro van. Chevrolet is fixing that problem with the 2008 Chevy HHR SS, a new, high-powered trim level.
Besides the 260-hp turbo engine, the HHR SS gets a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, electronic stability control and antilock brakes standard. There are also some revisions to the styling, with a new mesh grille up front and a spoiler around back. The inside sees a number of new details, like a smaller steering wheel and race-inspired leather seats, while the manual-transmission HHR SS sees the shifter placed higher off the ground for easier shifting. And there’s a turbo gauge, of course.
The HHR SS goes on sale later this year. Prices have not been announced, but we expect a $4,000 bump similar to the one the Cobalt SS took over the LT trim. The HHR LT starts at $17,005. Check out the photo gallery below.
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