GM to build HHR Panel Van

[ToolGuy]

he 2007 HHR Panel, designed for a myriad commercial and private uses, adds a new dimension of functionality to the popular HHR’s lineup of stylish, efficient vehicles. The HHR Panel features windowless side panels and rear cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor provides more than 57 cubic feet (1,614 L) of cargo space, along with approximately 6 cubic feet (170 L) of additional covered, under-floor storage. “The HHR Panel is a model unlike anything else in the segment, and it continues HHR’s mission of offering customers a bold, expressive, functional and different vehicle,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It’s great for delivery companies and other small businesses, but we think auto enthusiasts will love it too, as it gives them a large canvas on which to express their individuality.” HHR Panel production is expected to start late in the first quarter of 2007. It will be offered in LS and LT trims, with 2.2L and 2.4L engines – both of which help the HHR deliver 30 mpg in highway driving. “Business customers will see great value in the HHR Panel,” said Peper. “There aren’t many vehicles designed for commercial use that provide 30 mpg.” Exterior and interior details HHR’s styling draws upon inspiration from the original 1949 Chevy Suburban, which was built on a platform that also offered panel models – vehicles that became essential tools for urban and small businesses. Over the years, vintage panel vehicles have become prized by collectors and street rodders. The HHR marks the next chapter in Chevy’s panel heritage. The body of the HHR Panel features steel inserts in place of side windows and cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. The cargo doors open wide to enable cargo access from both sides of the vehicle, as well as from the rear liftgate. The cargo doors don’t have external handles; they are opened via a dashboard release button. The continuous “canvas” created by the windowless cargo doors and rear panels provides a large area for business logos, advertising or personalization. An auxiliary power outlet is available in the rear of the cargo area, with available 40-amp service for a variety of specialty equipment needs. This also answers the call of upfitters, who have asked for an additional power source to suit their specialty vehicles. Inside, the HHR Panel has seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor. Tie-down points are located strategically on the floor and the available, robust floor mats enable easier movement of cargo. Two large storage compartments are located under the cargo floor – in the approximate place of the rear seats of passenger models. When ordered with the optional lockable doors, the compartments are secure and large enough to hold small computer equipment, flashlights, service manuals and other valuable equipment that is more secure when hidden. Standard and available features HHR Panel is available in LS and LT trim. Both models come with a fuel-efficient 2.2L engine rated at 149 horsepower (111 kW). The LT model offers a 2.4L engine rated at 175 horsepower (130 kW). With either engine, the HHR is rated at 30 mph in highway driving and can provide up to 450 miles of cruising range on a tank of gas. Here are pics, if it is too big sorry this is how I got it and I am not a pro at resizing!

Attached files 2007ChevyHHRPanelVan.zip (467.3 KB) 

[VforVIBE]

I'm not the biggest fan of the HHR, but that red one was UGLY!!! The other one didn't look too bad.

[GrayFox]

I've never been much of a fan either... I do see how useful they could be tho.175hp doesn't sound too bad either

[scherry2]

lower that black one it would look pretty cool. to bad its made in mexico.

[NascarXprt]

eh its still the reg. HHR all they did was cover up the rear windows but kept the rerar passenger doors and keep the rear seats folded down nothing special. now if was a "true" panel it would be a two door with the lift back. but i do agree that black one is kill its just that door line kills the look.

[zionzr2]

I dub this vehicle the: Shaggn' Waggn'

[savedbyzero]

You can't polish a turd...

[isaaclud]

I dont really see the "commercial" marketthey want to reach rushing out to buy thisthing.....Plus, the HHR is not the platform you want to"mark the next chapter" of Chevies PANELWAGON history in....thats a bit of a stretchin marketing right there

[ToolGuy]

Yeah the changes to it are not enough to me to call it a commercial vehicle now.

[Viberrrr]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Yeah the changes to it are not enough to me to call it a commercial vehicle now. I agree compelety with your statement. But GM and Ford have got to come up with something to compete with the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter. At least this is a start. And Ford as usual has nothing.

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by Viberrrr »I agree compelety with your statement. But GM and Ford have got to come up with something to compete with the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter. At least this is a start. And Ford as usual has nothing.I see what you are saying but the Sprinter is huge in size compared to this. Plus Sprinter can be configured in many different forms and has a diesel engine. The new Sprinter will be coming next year! This is a weak attempt but like you said a start! Ford has the Focus!

[Viberrrr]

As someone who is always hauling things for business. There is slim-pickin's out there for great gas mileage cargo haulers other than the Sprinter, and man are they pricey. We use our Vibe for all of the smaller deliveries. One of the reasons we bought it. Lots of cargo space with great gas mileage.

[high revin]

I agree with nascar expert all they did was make new rear door skins and quater skins its stil the same rough riding no room inside clunky HHR, although isaaclud what are you thinking theres a huge market for small commercial vehicles flower shops, bakeries, any delivery service lik emy own a mobil graphic design company i just may be interested if it was a quality ride and like mention by nascarxprt a true panel dosent have a door on the rear sides just another way GM thinks they can fool the consumers and do it cheaply by not having to redesign a product and make it nice and true

[ColonelPanic]

I kinda think it's neat.. *ducks* I see people take stock PT's and make delivery vehicles out of them all the time... One local paint company really goes to town on the paint job on those suckers... Not having windows there would make for more canvas for people like them to work on.I think it would look much better with no rear doors, but with people being as big of whiny crybabies as they are today, GM would constantly have to hear "why didn't you leave the doors there????!!!?? We can't work with just two doors up front! " And those people wouldn't want to hear any of that "history of the panel van" crap, that was then, this is now and they don't care what happened then.. All in all, it sounds like they are making a legitimate effort at adapting this vehicle to commercial entities, which is a very good thing IMHO. Like what was said earlier, it's hard to find a "delivery vehicle" that will get decent mileage... And not everyone is going to need or be able to afford a full size van. This will do the small jobs just fine, I'm thinking.