[align=center]GM LAUNCH CONTROL : )[/align][align=center]I wanta `Launch : )[/align][align=center]*Member's, do you think the Monte Carlo's computer could be[/align][align=center]programed with `Launch Contol ?[/align][align=center][sm=gears.gif][/align][align=center]But the biggest performance surprise is the car's Formula 1-style launch control, a standard feature, no less. Hit the traction control button on the dash twice (the first push turns off the traction control, the second puts it into launch mode), select 1st gear and mash your right foot to the floor — the engine revs to right around 4100 rpm — let the clutch out and you're gone. Launch control comes standard in the slush-box-equipped cars as well — this time we rev in the 2000-ish range, release the brake pedal and away we go. Neat!
First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS
With a base price of only $22,995 and a wonderful combination of performance, utility, a quality cabin and thrifty mileage, Chevy's new HHR SS is one terrific hauler.[/align][align=center]By Jim Hall March 2008[/align][align=center][:-]I want 2 Launch a SS [:-]
[/align][align=center] Look'in Good GM
[b][/align]Slideshow: 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS >>
Chandler, Arizona — Thanks to General Motors Vice Chairman and ultimate car-guy Bob Lutz, the engineering team responsible for creating an HHR truly worthy of the Super Sport name did a great deal of the car's development work on the famed Nürburgring circuit in Germany. And it shows.
A quicker steering ratio, in conjunction with electric power assist and a smaller-diameter sport steering wheel, gives the SS's steering feel proper weight and provides very good feedback. In addition to stiffer springs, struts and front and rear anti-roll bars for improved handling, the front suspension has been completely redesigned to minimize torque steer from its front-wheel-drive layout. The changes work: Power-induced tugs at the steering wheel arrive only as a result of an over-eager right foot.
Underhood, 260 is the magic number for GM's terrific new direct-injected, turbocharged and intercooled Ecotec 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, as in maximum horsepower (produced at 5300 rpm) and torque (down at a low 2000 rpm; both figures for manual transmission-equipped cars). A redesigned intake, aluminum cylinder head, forged connecting rods and a steel crankshaft fortify the engine. Along with pep and refinement, this highly boosted (up to 20 psi) inline-4 is efficient, with an EPA mileage rating of 21 mpg city and 29 on the highway.
According to Chevrolet, the HHR SS pulls a robust 0.86g around the skidpad, scoots from 0–60 mph in only 6.3 seconds, needs only 14.8 sec. to run the quarter mile and tops out at well over 150 mph.
But the biggest performance surprise is the car's Formula 1-style launch control, a standard feature, no less. Hit the traction control button on the dash twice (the first push turns off the traction control, the second puts it into launch mode), select 1st gear and mash your right foot to the floor — the engine revs to right around 4100 rpm — let the clutch out and you're gone. Launch control comes standard in the slush-box-equipped cars as well — this time we rev in the 2000-ish range, release the brake pedal and away we go. Neat!
[IMG]http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/2008/W4/124200832438.jpg">
[b][u][color=#0000ff]Slide

 

[align=center]Another Review
[:-]
January 9, 2008
2008 Chevrolet HHR SS
[/align][/align][align=center]General Motors
Chevy HHR SS delivers speed and handling, can also deliver a fridge


[/align][align=center][/align][align=center](Click here for prices and specifications on this car.)

By Scott Burgess / The Detroit News


[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]2008 Chevrolet HHR SS [/align][align=center]
2008 HHR SS
Type: Five passenger, front-wheel drive SUV.
MSRP*: $22,995
Engine: Turbo charged 2-liter DOHC 4-cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
Power:
Manual: 260 hp @ 5300 rpm / 260-lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Automatic: 235 hp @ 5550 rpm / 223-lb-ft @ 1650 rpm
EPA mileage: Manual: 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway
Automatic: 19 mpg / 28 mpg
Length: 176.5; width: 69.1; height: 62.5; wheelbase: 103.6Notes: Offers a spirited drive with loads of power and good handling.
*Includes shipping.
Source: Kelley Blue Book and manufacturer [/align][align=center][:-]
Report card
Overall: ***
Exterior: Good: You either love it or hate it. But the HHR SS offers a meaner look than its more sedate brother. The front end was reworked and made especially more aggressive.
Interior: Good: Comfortable and utilitarian, the seats are upgraded in the SS and instrument gauges were changed. The second row is comfortable.
Performance: Excellent: More power, reworked suspension and a few add ons such as no-lift shifting and launch control give the car an exciting personality and great road manners.
Safety: Good: Standard stability control, front and optional side curtain airbags.
Pros: Fun to drive, offers lots of space, carries five comfortably.
Cons: The exterior is not for everyone. Visibility is limited.

[/align][align=center]Richard Prince[/align][align=center]The 2009 Chevrolet HHR SS features bucket seats, ultra suede inserts and a new instrument gauge that hits 140 mph.

[/align][align=center]Richard Prince[/align][align=center]The 2-liter DOHC direct injection four-cylinder turbo produces 260 horse-power with a five-speed manual. [/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center]
PHOENIX - Badges? Anyone can wear a stinking badge.
But toting tin doesn't make the man. Wyatt Earp and Roscoe Pico Coltrane both had a star pinned to their pocket, but one was a sniveling idiot, the other a legend.
[b]Slap Chevy's once-holy Super Sport label on enough different cars (and trucks) and even that badge loses its luster. It tarnishes j

 

Quote:

Launch control comes standard in the slush-box-equipped cars as well — this time we rev in the 2000-ish range, release the brake pedal and away we go. Neat!

So for the automatic, are they actually using a transbrake to put it in 1st/R at the same time w/ a 2 step built into the pcm? That would be kinda neat.

Honestly though, I would think you could easily brake torque it to 2k rpm, its an awfully low rpm. I guess the one benefit would be being able to just floor it instead of start at partial throttle- but does the thing really dead hook at WOT from 2k?

I'd really like to do a transbrake on my monte like ZZP has been messing with, but the biggest thing keeping me from doing it is I have absolutely 0 traction in 1st as it is on street tires, especially with the 3k stall- I imagine unless I go with some super beefy slicks on a drag strip that a transbrake would be totally useless because you'd just have to back right out of it as soon as you launched to roll into it.

 

Did we not just have a Thread where we read about the tragic events of Drag Racing!?!?
Well ...
So, with 8 Dead watching an illegal street-race ... The Bow-Tie Engineers build-in "Launch Control"???

Fine ... bring it on! Sell as many as you can to Hip-Hoppers who want a pre-made-fast Scion to LED-up and load-up with consumer electronics.
How long after the salesman hands the kid the keys do you think its going to be before the kids finger starts stabbing the Traction Control Button a couple times and doesn't know about the kid on the skateboard or the mother wheeling the baby across the street.

I hope Chevy gets sued by the family ... needs an influx of cash to make the settlement and introduces a mid-sized, luxury, muscle-coupe marketed to DIY Mod-Guys to make some dough selling a bunch of cars to meet the judgment against them!