2006 STS Chevrolet HHR -Tuners

Time will tell whether Chevrolet's retro-styled HHR will have the same sales appeal as Chrysler's PT Cruiser. But the aftermarket isn't waiting--a host of makers are already tooling up a cornucopia of performance parts for Chevy's new micro 'ute.

Squires Turbo Systems has made a name for itself in the performance marketplace with its innovative rear-mounted single- and twin-turbocharger systems. STS's unique design (with turbos located near the rear bumper where the mufflers reside) offers two distinct benefits over traditional turbo systems: a simple one-day installation (using normal hand tools) and reduced cost.

A rear-mounted turbo requires long induction tubing, which generates added turbo lag. Yet, after testing numerous STS-equipped cars, we've found the lag low and the power impressive. How impressive? We hustled STS's otherwise stock twin-turbo (and intercooled) 2005 Mustang GT to a 12.6-second quarter mile while running it on M+S radials and pump fuel. Thus, we had to have an STS HHR for a track test.

The rear-mount single-turbo system ($3995) looks great, but, at test time, STS's final calibration wasn't finished, so driveability and power suffered. On STS's chassis dyno, the system boosts output of the HHR's 143-horse, 2.2-liter Ecotec DOHC I-4 by 71 ponies--all while reducing emissions, according to STS. But, at the test track, the boosted STS HHR ran nearly the same acceleration times as a stock version.

Lifting the HHR's rear hatch revealed a cargo area full of aftermarket JL Audio stereo equipment. Add a set of monstrous Maya MT1 20x8.5-inch wheels and BFG g-Force KDW 245/30ZR20 tires, and suddenly the same-as-stock times made sense. We put STS's HHR on the scales, and it outweighed a stock HHR by 415 pounds. The general performance rule is that, for every 100 pounds lost, elapsed times drop by about one tenth of a second, equating to more than four tenths in the STS HHR's case.