The Chevrolet HHR Panel or Heritage High Roof is a small retro-look compact crossover SUV launched by the Chevrolet division of American automaker General Motors at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2006 model. The vehicle’s design is inspired by the mid-1940s Chevrolet cars and trucks, with large, square fender flares and a hemispherical grille. The design of the HHR has been credited to Brian Nesbitt, who was a former designer at Chrysler, where he was the lead designer of the PT Cruiser. Nesbitt was recruited by GM to join its design staff, and served for a time as the chief designer of the Chevrolet brand.

And this year, an improved version is being introduced. The 2007 HHR Panel has the standard power plant of a 149-horsepower, 2.2-liter, DOHC 16-valve Ecotec four lashed to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transaxle. Optional in the LT is a 2.4-liter version of the same engine rated at 175 horsepower with the same transmissions.

Among the improvements also include doors made of smooth sheetmetal across the surface with no windows and no door handles. Each of these open with the press of a button on the dashboard. Steel inserts also replace the rear side windows to make up the smooth appearance of this machine.