The future of factory-built performance cars is at a crossroads as the price of gasoline chokes the fun out of driving. But Chevy has a little contender in its HHR SS.

The Heritage High Roof is a nod to the fat-fendered pickups and panel trucks of the early '50s, but its engine and customized styling are modern. And the SS has some fun show-and-go credentials, such as a no-lift shift, five-speed manual transmission; and a 260-horsepower, turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It has performance stats of 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.8 at 98.5 mph. Premium fuel is recommended, not required.

Not every sporty looking little car gets Nurburgring validation, but the HHR SS set a lap record of 8 minutes, 44 seconds for its class. That's not bad when you consider Nissan's GT-R supercar runs the 'ring in 7:38.

All this and 28 mpg highway and 19 city for $23,565 to start or $25,750 equipped as was the test car with the Blue Flash metallic paint ($295), four-speed automatic ($1,000) and a few other desirable extras.

HHR is the wagon version of the Cobalt sedan and coupe and it is versatile as a sporty wagon. The SS treatment adds 18-inch polished aluminum wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport performance tires, a dam-style front fascia with fog lights and a rear fascia with an integrated single exhaust outlet, mesh-style upper and lower grilles, rear spoiler, lower body moldings and body-color door handles.

The interior has SS-embroidered sport seats with suedelike inserts, a 140-mph speedometer and a turbo boost gauge on the driver-side windshield pillar. The quality of materials is good and they seem to be assembled well.

The sport-tuned suspension isn't harsh, but it can be little clunky over rough roads.

It's not screaming fast, but it gets up to speed quickly. I expect most enthusiasts would prefer the manual transmission, which according to owner comments at www.kbb.com changes the personality of the car for the better. The automatic's fine but mundane, and I expect it soon will be updated with a six-speed.

I like the styling and the gangster-style view from behind the steering wheel. HHR isn't a design language for all — my wife hated it — but it is creative packaging for family function. Keep it shiny and every night becomes cruise night.

SPECS BOX

2008 Chevrolet HHR SS Turbo

Body style: compact five-passenger, front-wheel-drive wagon

Engine: turbocharged and intercooled 260-horsepower, 2.0-liter four cylinder

Transmission: five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic

EPA fuel economy estimates: 19 mpg city, 28 highway; premium fuel recommended but not required

Length/wheelbase: 176.5/103.6 inches

Curb weight: 3,353 pounds

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: remote locking with remote start, air conditioning with filter, dash-top storage box CD audio system with digital music ability, SS-embroidered front seats with Ultralux inserts, power driver seat with lumbar, fold-flat front passenger seat, rear cloth bench with Ultralux inserts, front center console with cup holders and dual power outlets, floor mats front and rear, power mirrors and locks, sport rocker moldings and rear spoiler, 18-inch Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires and alloy wheels, cargo net

Safety features include: front air bags, StabiliTrak stability and traction controls, power four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS

PRICING

Base: $23,565, including $640 freight charge; price as tested, $25,750

Options on test car: Blue Flash metallic paint, $295; four-speed automatic, $1,000; side air bags front and rear, $395; seven-speaker Pioneer audio system, $295; XM satellite radio, $200, with three-month free subscription

Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com.

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