HHR Podcast
In our new podcast, host Deb Ochs interviews Mike Danowski, HHR product manager, about the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, which goes on sale later this year. He talks about its influences, interior, two engines and other options, including a standard auxiliary input jack for an iPod or other audio source. Let us know what you think.
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HHR Podcast
Happy Friday everyone!
Enjoy this Podcast about the HHR, also availble in MP3 form…
Hey Bob,
I love the HHR, but I don’t think I want to buy one yet. Don’t get me wrong, Its a vary nice looking auto, and GM’s reliability is impressive. But I live in the Wisconsin area, And it snows here. Im sure the FWD is well enough tuned for our weather, but If you want to be able to confidently sell to me and my fellow cheese heads, you got to have AWD.
Im sure that this rule applies to other states too, and I think you do quite well to move forward with a program to make sure the HHR gets AWD in the next 3 years.
Furthermore, while Im sure the motor 2.4 liter motor is quite effective at moving this auto about, but even if Im a cheese head, Im still a American, and a lot of Americans love to go fast. So how about a turbo, or hotrod hybrid motor option? Any money you spend on hybrid motor for the HHR could be later apply to the Cobalt.
Or, if this thing shares as much common parts mountings to the cobalt as your engineers says it does, it not be hard then to use the supercharger motor then as a short term stop gap for SS trim.
Izzy
PS: I started recently reading about your exploits at Chrysler. This is all vary interesting to me since I hope one day to work for a major car manufacture as a chassis engineer. Im starting to understand why Chrysler never put into production concept cars like the Dodge Sling Shot, Dodge Razor, Dodge M80, Dodge PowerBox, SUPER 8 HEMI, and Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. But my theory is, based on speculation, and could be embarrassing to many people. So unless you specifically ask, I won’t specifically say anything..
But speaking of Chrysler, would I would like to know if the Pontiac Solstice Roadster shared some DNA, with the Dodge copperhead concept of 1997, and Plymouth Pronto Spyder concept of 1998? Im still trying to find out who managed these projects, but most of the sources I have checked make no mention of who did what.
Anyway, Keep up the good work, and please do take what I said into consideration. The HHR is good, but the unwashed public will not be impressed unless its cool. So drop in a vary cool motor, and driveline!
I love the way Danowski avoids the very obvious fact that the HHR is a direct ripoff of the PT Cruiser. But if I had listened to the interview and didn’t know it was about the HHR, I would have guessed Danowski worked for Chrysler and was talking about the PT.
Fold-flat seats, retro design, rear hatch with fixed glass, customizable, etc. The only part that might have tipped me off to its corporate parent would be the fact GM says it’s targeting younger drivers. The PT was targeted at younger drivers, but missed and was a hit with the middle-aged crowd.
Good luck, GM. You’ve got one hard sell on your hands.
Does anyone know where the HHR will be produced? I’m assuming Lordstown, Ohio because it is based on the Cobalt platform. But it could also be Lansing Craft Center, MI or another place. I’m considering the HHR as a stablemate to my Ford Freestyle when the lease on my Malibu Maxx lease runs out but I don’t want to get it if it is made in Canada or Mexico. I could care less about the uaw and unions but I like to keep Americans busy and off welfare. Of course the Malibu Maxx is an awesome car but I prefer the option of trying new products for which a lease is great for.
On its own merits, the HHR looks like a nice enough car… but, I suspect that the market is getting tired of Retro. New Beetle and PT Cruiser sales have cooled down. Retro works for baby boomers, but if you want to sell to young people, a more original design is probably the way to go.
nice it’s interesting to hear about, though I reckon, you gotta make sure people know where the design originates from, most idiots will call it off as a pt-cruiser clone.
and as I do in most of my posts, I gotta ask again, whats going on with buick?
You know you guys could have made a great buick coupe out of the murano? the regal/century taillights look great on a murano and I saw a chop with one of your concepts grilles and lights the flow with the murano lines perfectly, and the rear looks great too.
Meh that ends my buick rant, I know chevy and cadillac will survive for sure. Pontiac will most likely survive because they are one of gms;s best division. GMC is in no danger, and while all this is happening you guys are steering buick into the direction of oldsmobile… common gm, the lacrosse cant replace the regal gs at all, it has the style, but not the speed. and why are you getting rid of the names? century and regal are some of my favourite names in the industry? what the h**l is Lacrosse? I think of a sport, not a car. and Allure, its not as bad, but I would much rather had the regal or century name.
I was not sure about the HHR but after looking at it again I think you could have a hit on your hands.
The key is to compare it to the Scion and the Element, both of which are ugly. The HHR can do the same things but look good at the same time.
I just checked out the specs on the pdf and it looks like it has a lot of good content. Bring it in at a good price point and show off the interior as well as exterior in ads and it may work.
The one thing that concerns me in this car and all the others is the electric steering. Its obvious in the reviews of all your cars that have this that it isnt very good. So why do you insist on using it? I don’t understand why you wouldnt look at the comments, all overwhelmingly negative, and remove the electric steering from all your vehicles until you can get it right. If you can’t fix it, abandon it. I wonder how many sales you have lost because people were concerned about the steering.
Read the reviews! Customers do and you are losing sales because of the negative reviews.
I wish all cars GM designed were as distinct as the HHR. The Pontiac Solstice is also distict, it shares the Pontiac face but it retains its own distict identity and is true to itself.
The G6 came out but we seen the design already in the Grand Prix so it didn’t appear as fresh and original it could have. The resemblance to the Grand Prix is too close.
Solstice-it means a turning point; furthest limit; crisis. GM is in a crisis but the Solstice is truly the turning point and the HHR and Hummer H3 also will help.
GM can keep the momentum going by sparking interest in its sedans again with a Buick Eight inspired heritage vehicle.
Along with a Velite coupe and sedan and Centieme crossover Buick can continue this momentum years down the road.
Buick has the richest heritage of any brand and it is yours to loose.
Now that GM sold its greatest assets like Hughes, EDS and Direct TV to focus on the car business, well it has to be a great car business now.
The days of 40% market share and “What is good for GM is good for the country…” is NOT over. You just have to believe and have a vision. Like the vision you had when you saw the ‘49 Suburban and created the HHR.
You just have to believe.
To Mike,
Uh, the Murano is a NISSAN product, not GM, so they couldn’t make anything out of it at all.
I think the fact that the post about the HHR only has 4 responses after several days speaks for itself.
I think this thread would have had more responses if people could have just read the original post instead of having to download it to hear it.
Although I must admit that if the subject of the podcast was more interesting, I might have made the effort to listen to it.
The HHR is a nice looking vehicle, but it’s the crossover functionality that appeals to me. Specifically, the load-flat floor and wide-opening liftgate… this vehicle has a lot of versatility. I will seriously consider buying one in 2007.
One new product suggestion, however. How about turning the SSR into a five-seat wagon and calling it a Chevy Nomad? That would be hot.
guys I mean munaro not murano
I confused the name cause they are so simular
If I remember right, I *think* only *think* that the HHR will be made in Mexico. I’d have to double check.
HHR must haves:
1. Supercharged version (SS?)
2. Manual trans with #1 above(5 or 6sp)
3. Killer Stereo (Bose) or similar (NO MONSOON!!) Must be Mp3 and 6 changer cd. This is a MUST!!
4. Value special edition package loaded with the goodies similar to Mazda3 Sp23. Please take note of SP23!!
Please don’t price it out of range! The HHR looks like a winner if it is done with high quality and no cost cut ends. I am going to buy one for sure if it has the 4 above mentioned items. Otherwise, it’s Mazda3 wagon for me. Please don’t disappoint the GM faithful.
Yeh, what happened with the Nomad concept? It got great buzz and then nothing.
You guys need to pick up on that-if it gets buzz, build it.
The SSR also got good buzz, but I dont think anyone expected you to build a truck based model at that way too high price.
If the SSR was a crossover on a car frame at $25,000 it would have sold.
Nice move, GM – audio in on new 2006 cars
This benefit – the ability to plug your iPod or other portable audio device, into a car stereo seems trivial. Unfortunately, it’s a rarity. GM deserves credit for opening up – that is, allowing any audio device to plug into…
When I look at this vehicle, I think small block V8 and RWD
(4l60e or 4l65e). What’s the deal with all the FWD?
I personally would’t consider buying any vehicle in your ‘06 lineup, except the vette…only because I have previously owned a vette and am partial to 2-seaters. There is not one thing about the HHR that I find appealing to my tastes…its another ugly attempt at retro cues with modern styling.
If you think about it, at the rate all the retro cars are going, maybe soon we can get back to high-horsepower muscle car days. (A time when SS badges meant something.)
Whattya think Bob, sound like an idea?
I don’t know what the price point is going to be, but i think it’s going to be a good bit higher than the xB, but probably in the elements ballpark. I think it would probably be smart to have a competing entry to the xB though. If the price point is reasonable, i see this being an attractive small car alternative. It looks good to my eye and has a solid interior.
I am seriously considering an HHR as my next vehicle. I agree that you guys must market this as a mini retro Suburban and not a PT Cruiser clone.
Comment to Steve G,
The electric steering is great, I have two Malibus and their steering is wonderful. The ability for GM engineers to change the way the steering feels with a software tweak is sweet. I realize there were some problems early, but they were solved, and the fuel savings is enough reason for me to love it. Other things that are cool is programmable “return to center” ability, meaning the engineers don’t have to over-caster the suspension. This is a good technonlogy that will only get better.
C’mon guys, the PT Cruiser sales are slipping, you waited to long to copy it.
If the electric steering has improved thats great. I would like to see a positive review about it from the car mags though.
And do the people who read the intitial negative reviews know that it has improved?
I won’t buy a new car without airbags in the front, side and rear, traction control and stability control. I like the functionality and looks of the HHR but can’t find much info on the safety features (it wasn’t mentioned in the interview download). In my opinion, those 3 features ought to be standard on all vehicles, especially brand new ones coming out (and no, I don’t want to wait till 2008).
Here is one positive review of EPS from Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press:
“The Cobalt features an electronic power steering system. EPS, as it’s called, offers a lot of potential benefits, including reduced weight, fewer repairs and the ability to make the steering feel however you want — sporty, sedate or anywhere in between — simply by changing the system’s programming.
This is a good thing, as long as the programmers make the right choices. They missed the mark on the Pontiac G6, but they nailed it with the Cobalt, producing a responsive and linear steering feel that inspires confidence and encourages sporty driving.”
How long will it be before GM offers a $3000 rebate on the HHR?
When will GM start offering gotta have, best in class, affordably priced vehicles that don’t need the bribe of a huge rebate?
Good to hear about some of the functional benefits, but was confused as to why so much time was spent describing what the car looks like. How many people–more importantly, young people who I assume are your target audience–know what a 1949 Suburban looks like? Give us a web address and let us see for ourselves; spending podcast time describing styling is a waste of megabytes, and suggests a lack of familiarity with what makes a good podcast. The same comments apply to discussing colors; since they sound fairly mundane, why take up space listing “red, silver, blue,” etc?
Bob, I could be completely wrong, but I would have rather seen the money for this go into something else.
I think the utility, fuel economy, and styling WILL be pluses for this vehicle, but I keep asking myself, “what if” GM had spent the money, say, putting a better engine, like the 3500, into the Torrent – or had given the Malibu SS a 6-speed manual; in other words, what if GM had spread around the wealth instead?
And what is up with the sea-of-gray interior PR shots? How about a little color contrast in the dash? The Uplander looks better inside, as does the Cobalt. You’d think with all of the complaining about the Malibu’s Gray-tastic interior that the HHR’s interior would have been retro and fancy to the hilt – not like a rental grade Dodge Neon.
Does “pimp my ride” belong in performance cars? I hope not.
Meanwhile, You wanna do urban retro for Gen Y? Do it right by going into a _major_ deal with West Coast Custom to make a “phat” GM mule for __every__ GM division yelling for a “phat” ride. Then authorize division suppliers to make the parts en masse so these cars (like Scion) can be made in bulk.
And hopefully the dealers won’t fool around with expectations or service support, or Gen Y’ll roast your surveys like they did Scion.
In “urban” lingo; Make them phat cars so def dey playa with the payyas. Word.
So is this being made in Mexico? Canada? I havn’t seen an answer to the question of where the HHR is being made?
GM Invades the Pod-People
In the age of viral marketing, General Motors has hopped on the hype new trend of podcasting. To promote the new SS Cruiser, er, HHR, they’ve posted dowloadable audio clips on their Fastlane Fastlane blog. In the latest, HHR product…
While I haven’t come to any conclusions about the popularity of the HHR, one thing in that Podcast really stuck out as a sales killer.
Since Danowski openly admitted the cars target buyer is in their 40s, GM might as well just rebadge the HHR as a Buick. Youth-oriented blogs and Podcasts like this are an excellent medium for reaching young people, but to create a Scion-like frenzy GM will need to cater to Gen Y even more.
While Scion execs will say otherwise, I don’t feel that it’s the anti-mainstream aura that pushes Scion into young buyers’ hands. I think most youth with auto industry knowledge can see that Scion is and will no longer be a symbol of pop culture affinity. Rather, each sale moves their product toward that idea of conformity that Jim Farley and his Scionites detest.
Don’t think this will put a damper on Scion sales at all. The idea of originality is just smoke and mirrors for Scion – a meaningless gimmick. All automakers are looking to sell the most vehicles possible — the bane of the anti-conformist — the in-touch and informed Scion customer is aware that they aren’t purchasing originality.
What Scion customers are purchasing is a car that was made for them. Scion has made it completely clear that these vehicles were made for young adults from the very beginning, and that’s exactly what Gen Y wants.
Prices, styling, the right features and giant bear hugs with the tuning aftermarket have totally convinced its demographic that this car was built for them. If GM wants to find the same success, it better take a cue from Scion.
What the youth market wants is an automaker who cares about them. Convince me that GM thought about me when they made this car and I’ll want it.
It doesn’t matter if the average buyer of the HHR is 40 year olds. Gen Y needs to see what the vehicle can do for us.
Danowski said in and interview with the Detroit News, “The podcasts have to concentrate on what can be done with it rather than what it is. What the vehicle is, they can get in the PT Cruiser.”
As I read this my head spun with emotions. Ideas ranged from “I hate the PT Cruiser” to “Why would I want to buy a vehicle that is an admitted replica of a 5 year old car?” to “Why the — would you say that?”
On par with Lutz’s “brand killing” comment, it’s unbelievable that GM execs keep falling into this blunders. I’ll never want a car that imitates something already in the market, and it’s probably not a good idea to compare your car to that of a competitor’s, unless you’re saying how much greater yours is.
I sometimes feel that GM has entirely lost touch with all buyers, but maybe thats just because I’m not 40.
So if you really want the HHR to be a success, GM, put on your game face. Price it right. Advertise that you made this car for me. And you better get some test models out to body fabrication and turbo manufacturers pronto.
Cool about the AUX input on the front!! I have two cars now… A 2001 Mustang GT w/Mach stereo (6 disk in-dash) and a 2002 Blazer XTreme that I just put an Alpine stereo w/iPod adaptor in. Guess which one I love to drive? The Blazer. Surprise. But I don’t know that an AUX input would do it. Even the Alpine head unit doesn’t do a great job of making all the tunes on my iPod accessible while I’m driving. I really think that the first carmaker to solve this problem and make it the centerpiece of their marketing is going to own solo drivers (i.e. Los Angeles).
Mr Lutz, if you ever get to be the exec on The Apprentice (after Martha’s ratings go into the toilet and Trump doesn’t want it back), I’d love to be on just to design the ultimate factory car sound system.
I owe a big apology to Mike Danowski for my previous comment. In that comment I quoted Danowski for something he did not say. The quote: “The podcasts have to concentrate on what can be done with it rather than what it is. What the vehicle is, they can get in the PT Cruiser,” was actually said by Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Ore.
It was pretty naive of make such a sharp criticism of something totally wrong.
Again, I apologize to GM and Mike Danowski.
HHR=bunt single, Nomad=Home Run. And GM wonders why market share is dropping. Dodge is having no problem moving the magnums, GM has shown Nomad concept cars for 6 years!!!
I’d like to buy an HHR but my local dealer doesn’t have a clue…might as well wait until they institute rebates so I can afford one.
Mr. Lutz,
As you wonder why GM is in dire financial straits, I suggest you take a GOOD CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT GM IS MANUFACTURING. Just how many people do you think will buy this new vehicle? I would say probably the same amount that bought the SSR, VERY FEW. When are you going to wake up and build vehicles that have pizzaz, as the foreign automakers do? Everywhere within the GM line up are plain jane vehicles.(except for the vette)
Until GM designs and manufactures vehicles that the consumer WANTS to buy, GM market share will continue to decrease.
Timothy,
The HHR will be built at the GM de Mexico plant in Ramos.
Noreen Pratscher
Chevrolet Communications
IMO the new HHR will be as successful as SSR. I looked at it at the NY show and could not believe my eyes. Wouldn’t all this money be better used to create a six speed transmission for the entire GM? On the other hand I believe that the new Charger will be a great success. Why? As they say, looks count.
PLEASE tell me that there are other colors coming for the HHR. No greens, browns AND NO NON-METALLICS other thn White or Black are shown. There were NO 1949 Chery Suburbans painted with metallic paints, and there should be more non-metallic color options available on the new HHR. Care to comment?
Another front wheel drive throw away, What is wrong with you people? Everyone else is going back to rear wheel drive and where is GM? Way behind as usuall.
I like the look and utility of the HHR, I’m 40 and am considering buying an HHR as a replacement for our mini-van but the one thing that is holding me back is the horsepower and transmission options. My wifes 2003 Mazda MPV has 200 hp and a 5 speed auto and it scoots for a grocery getter and family highway hauler. Let’s see an HHR/SS ASAP!
Someone had stated that the HHR will not appeal to the younger generation. I think you may be wrong. Have you had the chance to see the show “RIDES”? They can trick out the best and worst of vehicles. I had the chance recently to see an HHR up close and I can already tell you this will be a great sell to the younger generation. It is in NO WAY a PT Cruiser wanna be. The lines are stronger than the VW Bug, this vehicle can be fully customized (better than the boxiness of a Scion)and has quite a kick…I would imagine GM alerady has a marketing plan in place that includes planting this HHR in movies and TV shows. In shows that this generation watches…like “The Real World” and “Rides”. And speaking of pricing, have you checked out chevy.com to see the base prices of the HHR models available? You will be pleasantly suprised!
I have to ad, that after really taking the time to look over the Scion xB, I must say that it looks exactly like something my three year old would build out of Legos! I’d much rather roll an HHR…
I’m 20 years old and I dont like the HHR that much,and I do think the HHR is a ripoff of the PT Cruiser. I would not buy a HHR they are too retro. I would rather buy a new 2005 mustang,dodge Charger or a cobalt. have you seen the new Ford sporttrac prototype now that is going to sell to the younger drivers I would buy that.
Three letters AWD or 4X4 until this can do either one it is a brick on wheels to me
Looking at more pix of the HHR it still looks like the PT, but now It looks like a station wagon, And the only wagon I like is the dodge magnum.
Well I have read all the comments and agree and disagree. I have driven the HHR and love it. I could do without all the plastic parts, but for that price I understand. I am 23 years old and I think the design of the car is great. It is definetly better than a PT Cruiser. The HHR has the retro fender flairs and the mob style high windows. I think it is great. I just wish it was comparable in price as the PT Cruiser as it is 2k more, base.
I own a HHR and love it. This vehicle does not need a turbo or super charged engine. It does just fine with the 172 horse that’s under the hood. Besides, we’re not looking at a ‘69 Chevy here. I’ve never owned a car that has gotten so many admiring stares as this one. People have actually stopped at intersections to ask me about the car as they drove by, more than once. As for the comparisons to the PT Cruiser, GM knew that would happen but as they said everybody makes a pickup truck but nobody says it’s a rip off of the original. No matter what you build somebody isn’t going to like it or some of it’s features but as for me I have no regrets about my HHR. I’m proud to own it, love to drive it and would buy it again. Thanks GM!!
I just bought an HHR, and i LOVE it! As Jim said, everybody who’s seen it likes the styling and wants to know what it is. They NEVER say “PT Cruiser”. Best description of the styling is retro, yet somehow modern and “husky” at the same time. Want an SS? MAKE YOUR OWN! Want a Nomad? Easy conversion! Want a “Woody”? There’s already an aftermarket kit for it. That said, no design is perfect. My list of negatives: Gray cloth seat covering snags and stains easily. Better to use a cloth similar to the tough grey cloth in my ‘99 Tahoe. Cupholders are USELESS from the driver’s seat, mostly due to their location below the driver’s right elbow and the right armrest, and the cutout for the handle of travel mugs is 180¬∫ out from where it should be. The parking brake lever should have been placed close to the driver’s seat, not the passenger’s. The window switches are in the WORST possible location – low on the center console. With the self-acclaimed “high seating position”, this location makes it even MORE of a reach for most drivers. And the shifter gets in the way when you reach for them too. They should be ON THE DOORS! Chevy says their location was a cost saving measure, but it is an ILL CONCEIVED one. The aftermarket may solve some of these problems with a retrofit, but not soon enough for me. In spite of these shortcomings, I still think the HHR is a BIG HIT. Pioneer stereo with 7 speakers including Sub, 6-disc changer with MP3 support, integrated XM Satellite, 36 channel presets, iPod input – AWESOME for a “factory stereo”! Add OnStar, personal phone with voice dialing, fast steering, taught ride, cargo options galore, 30 MPG hiway and all the rest, and you have a lot of BANG for the BUCK!
I own a 50 suburban and my mom owns an HHR. Though the HHR isn’t quite as cool as an old street rod, it has that chopped streetrod feel to it when you are driving it, and you get tons of looks when you’re driving it; from young and old people alike. And as far as comparing the HHR to the PT Cruiser, that’s like comparing a 50 sururban to a late 30s Ford Passenger car. Sure they’re both retro, but they have distinctively different looks.
Love the HHR. But that iPod jack should be located INSIDE the above dash glove box. Then you could plug in your iPod and hide it in the dash compartment..and not have the cord and the iPod dangling all over the interior. Also–need a woody kit that looks like the original. The one currently manufactured has that 90s station wagon woody look that doesn’t fit the car as well as it could. But the car itself is a real looker!
I just bought an HHR and I love it. A little demographics: 21 year old married female with a baby on the way. What I liked: Suitable “mommy-mobile” that still looks cool and I’m not ashamed to drive it. I don’t feel like a mommy in it. This car looks awesome and handles even better. I love the “stacked” look of the guages. I feel like I’m in my uncle’s hot rod. SO MUCH room on the inside, you could put just about anything in this car! “Daytona Blue” color is great, for some reason I feel like I should be on my way to the beach in this car… I have to buy the wood panels for the sides though! Feel safe in here, won’t mind straping my baby in and best of all I got lots of car (LS package) for a grand total of $15K. HELLO FOLKS, you can’t beat it. One complaint: The overhead light is in the back seat, you can’t reach it from the front to turn on incase you need to read a map or something. I love my new car! Never been happier.
I have a HHR 2 LT Daytons Blue loaded. This is a really cool car. But it could use more horsepower to be really fun. If GM can get 30 MPG out of a six cyl why dident they put in a high output six and call it a HHR SS? Also there needs to be more inside lights and the controls to operate them.
Chrysler missed the boat. This is what the PT should have looked like. Nice ride! Needs AWD option.
What does “HHR” stand for?
i have a 2006 HHR when it get to 90MPH the computer or something causes the engine to cut out. How can this be corrected so the car will run at top speed. I cant beleve chevy built the car like that. If anyone know how to correct this please let me know. thanks
what does HHR stand for?
Cheryll-
HHR was an internal code name for “heritage high roof,” representing the design of Chevrolet’s trucks in the late 1940s.
-Alicia
Was wondering what the 2.2L Ecotec was like in the HHR. I have it in my sunfire and am impressed. Anyone have any experience?
Cmon, GM what are you doing? The era of front drive 4 cylinder powered disposable cars needs to end. Only tree huggers, people who know NOTHING about cars, and/or people who buy cars because they think they’re ‘cute’ are interested. Take a look at yourself, GM, look what you’ve done. The f-car. The full size b-body. Oldsmobile. One wrong move after another. Look what happened to the 442, the LeMans, the Malibu, All became a disgrace to their names, before dying off in shame. Better shape up, your new Camaro is your last chance. Price it right, make it fast. Don’t screw this up.
We bought a HHR 3-18-06 and LOVE it!! Like the PT Cruiser, this car begs to be customized, which is what we did. 2 color flame pin stripping,retro windshield visor, door wind deflectors, etc. You can do a lot for about $1,500. We also got a PT Cruiser that we are also customizing. The best of both worlds!