(from GM Press Release)
“There is no limit to what we can do” is the mantra of West Coast
Customs (WCC), known for creating some of the tastiest rides rollin’
and stars of MTV’s "Pimp My Ride." And while Chevrolet had barely
introduced the production model of the new 2006 HHR at the 2005
Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, it was joined on stage by a WCC
concept version with all of its pimpin’ magic. The WCC HHR
represents a radical vision of the new Chevy HHR.
The production HHR has a distinct design that fuses elements of the
1949 Chevy Suburban – the original utility vehicle – and the SSR
roadster. It is built on the same solid platform as the new Chevy
Cobalt. The HHR will be available in the second half of 2005.
“We are lucky to work on all kinds of cool rides, and add the WCC
touch in a variety of ways,” said Ryan Friedlinghaus, owner operator
and head guru of WCC. “The HHR is one of those vehicles that allows
you to customize it mild or wild.”
And customize wild they did. The WCC gang took a full-on deep dive
into customizing this concept vehicle, and significantly modified
both the exterior and interior to draw attention to the new HHR.
One of the fantastic styling cues is the chopped top -- three inches
to be exact. Shaved door handles all around, huge sunroof, custom
rear roll-pan with center-mounted exhaust and all-new front fascia
are just a few tweaks to the WCC HHR. The custom package is covered
in a special House of Color silver/blue pearl coat with mica-finish
that gives the distinct look of fiber optic speckles.
“WCC and GM Design worked on giving the WCC concept HHR an
outrageously different attitude and the front and rear really
deliver on the WCC flare,” said Clay Dean, Director of Design for
Small/Midsize Cars. “There are so many styling possibilities on how
this vehicle can be personalized. This WCC vision may be over the
top, but it demonstrates the creativity HHR offers to personalize it
your way.”
To complement the modified styling cues, WCC gave the concept HHR
some suspension flexibility with a rear air bag suspension. Large
20” Giovanna wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires hide large 12”
Stainless Steel Brake Corporation brakes.
WCC has converted the five-passenger HHR into a ride with
leather-trimmed bucket seats to accommodate the four lucky
occupants. Suede, two-tone leather and body color matching interior
trim welcome those who enjoy audio and video entertainment at its
finest.
A 10” monitor molded in the dash with a touch computer screen
controls all of the necessary functions including audio and video
controls. A molded center console runs from the front to the rear
and houses four, seven-inch monitors molded into a rear custom
subwoofer enclosure.
With enough wattage to make your ears ring, the WCC HHR showcases
some of the latest audio equipment by WCC and Orion audio, including
two, 10-inch WCC Orion subwoofers surrounding a 15-inch center
mounted monitor. The new molded door panels include speaker pods and
WCC speaker components.
With its overall length of 174.5 inches (4472 mm) and a cargo
capacity of approximately 63 cubic feet (1787 liters), the
five-passenger HHR has easy-to-maneuver dimensions and room for just
about any lifestyle interest. Although this specific pimping version
may not make it to the showroom, the reconfigurable interior with
clever storage solutions accommodates everything from groceries to
surfboards.
HHR rounds out Chevrolet’s small-vehicle strategy that began last
year with the successful Aveo – a vehicle which claimed the
leadership position in its segment after just nine months on the
market – and continues this year with the all-new Cobalt.
