Discussion
I posted that on www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=66820&f=100&h=0 (the thread about the fully exposed C6 body).
But then I didn't post that pic in specific - haven't seen the car in motion like that pic.
Car looks great, doesn't it?
>> Edited by z064life on Monday 17th November 20:58
But then I didn't post that pic in specific - haven't seen the car in motion like that pic.
Car looks great, doesn't it?
>> Edited by z064life on Monday 17th November 20:58
Yes, same pic enhanced with some blurring. Doesn't look quite so good in a smaller pic for some reason but I still like it.
I don't really understand what they're wittering on about on Z06vette.com. They're all grunting "It's a Viper!" Well, the side strakes were on the C5 and the 2003 Viper copied those so how does that make it a Viper and if the silhouette is a 1970's C3, how is that a Viper? Let's face it, it's not.
Considering that some of Chevy's best designs borrowed styling cues from designs as diverse as the XJ6, Ferrari Berlinetta and Mercedes 300SL, who cares where the individual lines originated as long as it doesn't look like a pot pourri of inconsistencies. can't recall Porsche worrying too much about their latest offering looking similar to it's 1970's design.
I don't really understand what they're wittering on about on Z06vette.com. They're all grunting "It's a Viper!" Well, the side strakes were on the C5 and the 2003 Viper copied those so how does that make it a Viper and if the silhouette is a 1970's C3, how is that a Viper? Let's face it, it's not.
Considering that some of Chevy's best designs borrowed styling cues from designs as diverse as the XJ6, Ferrari Berlinetta and Mercedes 300SL, who cares where the individual lines originated as long as it doesn't look like a pot pourri of inconsistencies. can't recall Porsche worrying too much about their latest offering looking similar to it's 1970's design.
This is a good comment, from someone at CorvetteForum (not moi):
I will say this for the 3rd time:
It kills me to hear people say, "It looks like this car, it looks like that car, you are copying this car, no you are copying that car." Give me a break here. The new Corvette will have the new style of lights (not much you can change there from car to car), they have to have DRL's and parking lights (can't change them much), the aerodynamics of a fast sports car dictates the hood has to slope, the fenders on all sports cars have to accommodate large wheels, etc etc etc. Designers don't actually have much to play with here from car to car. Of course they are going to look a little similar. DUH????????? If this is the C6 then I think GM did a great job and I will predict the car sells very well just like the C5.
For others that think that somebody at GM is going to get fired or lose their job???? BUNK. Don't you think GM would want to start leaking a little more out about their new Corvette? It builds interest and excitement amongst the very people that will be purchasing the new Corvette. I predict we will see a few more pics in the next few weeks as we get closer to the official unveiling of the new Corvette. I can't wait to see a Torch Red one. Damn things look gawd aweful fast. And for the Viper owners that will say blah blah blah all I will say is that new Vette is going to compete with you and at a better price. Corvette C6 will still be the CHAMP at Best Bang for the BUCK.
I have to throw in a comment from my father who passed away in 1991. I had recently purchased a new car and I drove it by my parents place to show him. I asked him how he liked the car. He looked at me and said, "Son, I like new stuff." Me, I LIKE NEW STUFF.
Torch
Well said, that is. Aerodynamics, crash safety laws (strict in USA, where the Z06 is obviously going to be mostly sold, so has the requirements of this country mostly in consideration in design), pedestrian safety laws - they all dictate A LOT of design. That influences most of the design. The designer's intention gets pushed down the list. And then there is the priority/criterion of having retro elements in the design, fixed headlights, which swivel, engine size and positioning (which could have easily contradicted the sloping hood, which would been dicated by aerodynamics, which may not be allowed due to crash safety laws). See how hard it is to design a car, with a style in mind? Too many compromises have to be made, and a balancing act. Not forgetting weight, of course. In today's world, Chevrolet have done well (especially when I see ugly designs like the Evo 8, new BMWs, etc). Then theres ergonomics and user convenience - a spoiler may help aerodynamics on a car, but it may get in the obstruct the rear view. Designers don't have much to work or play with, so similar designs are inevitable. And previous vettes had viper elements in it, and then what if these elements have to be modified slightly to meet the compromises set above - it may create a similar or dissimilar design. Next thing you know, people will be saying "Oh, the car has a wheel, its a copy of a Honda Civic". I'm surprised nobody said the Corvette C5 flip-up lights were a copy of the Mazda RX7, Lotus Espirit, or Honda NSX popup lights - they all look the same, and I doubt the design is patented.
>> Edited by z064life on Monday 17th November 22:19
I will say this for the 3rd time:
It kills me to hear people say, "It looks like this car, it looks like that car, you are copying this car, no you are copying that car." Give me a break here. The new Corvette will have the new style of lights (not much you can change there from car to car), they have to have DRL's and parking lights (can't change them much), the aerodynamics of a fast sports car dictates the hood has to slope, the fenders on all sports cars have to accommodate large wheels, etc etc etc. Designers don't actually have much to play with here from car to car. Of course they are going to look a little similar. DUH????????? If this is the C6 then I think GM did a great job and I will predict the car sells very well just like the C5.
For others that think that somebody at GM is going to get fired or lose their job???? BUNK. Don't you think GM would want to start leaking a little more out about their new Corvette? It builds interest and excitement amongst the very people that will be purchasing the new Corvette. I predict we will see a few more pics in the next few weeks as we get closer to the official unveiling of the new Corvette. I can't wait to see a Torch Red one. Damn things look gawd aweful fast. And for the Viper owners that will say blah blah blah all I will say is that new Vette is going to compete with you and at a better price. Corvette C6 will still be the CHAMP at Best Bang for the BUCK.
I have to throw in a comment from my father who passed away in 1991. I had recently purchased a new car and I drove it by my parents place to show him. I asked him how he liked the car. He looked at me and said, "Son, I like new stuff." Me, I LIKE NEW STUFF.
Torch
Well said, that is. Aerodynamics, crash safety laws (strict in USA, where the Z06 is obviously going to be mostly sold, so has the requirements of this country mostly in consideration in design), pedestrian safety laws - they all dictate A LOT of design. That influences most of the design. The designer's intention gets pushed down the list. And then there is the priority/criterion of having retro elements in the design, fixed headlights, which swivel, engine size and positioning (which could have easily contradicted the sloping hood, which would been dicated by aerodynamics, which may not be allowed due to crash safety laws). See how hard it is to design a car, with a style in mind? Too many compromises have to be made, and a balancing act. Not forgetting weight, of course. In today's world, Chevrolet have done well (especially when I see ugly designs like the Evo 8, new BMWs, etc). Then theres ergonomics and user convenience - a spoiler may help aerodynamics on a car, but it may get in the obstruct the rear view. Designers don't have much to work or play with, so similar designs are inevitable. And previous vettes had viper elements in it, and then what if these elements have to be modified slightly to meet the compromises set above - it may create a similar or dissimilar design. Next thing you know, people will be saying "Oh, the car has a wheel, its a copy of a Honda Civic". I'm surprised nobody said the Corvette C5 flip-up lights were a copy of the Mazda RX7, Lotus Espirit, or Honda NSX popup lights - they all look the same, and I doubt the design is patented.
>> Edited by z064life on Monday 17th November 22:19
Also take into consideration that any new car has to
a) start and drive away at -40c to +50c unaided
b) stay cool at v-max in 40c ambients and in the city with ground temps at 55c
c) meet Federal emissions regulations and keep doing so for 100,000 miles.
d) meet Federal OBD regulations and keep doing so for 100,000 miles
e) cope with 14,000 ft altitudes
f) cope with desert conditions
And in the case of the Corvette produce enough power under all these circumstances to propel it to 175 Mph +.
With current GM corporate standards any vehicle they produce needs to perform within 80% of its original design spec at 200,000 miles and unlike a LOT of other supercars they do.
It is fair to say with a clean sheet of paper and none of the constraints above the designers would produce a fabulous "new Corvette" or any other car for that matter. As in the case of the Corvette Indy a few years ago it would never go into production because it won't ever meet GM or Federal standards.
Given the ever increasing demands of Federal regulations I think we the Corvette community are very lucky that we have a C6 to complain about at all.
Make the most of it guys cos it will not go on for ever. The US has a habit of following what the California Air Resorces Board have to say about emissions, given the proposed legislation for 2010 and up the days of thunder are numbered!!
a) start and drive away at -40c to +50c unaided
b) stay cool at v-max in 40c ambients and in the city with ground temps at 55c
c) meet Federal emissions regulations and keep doing so for 100,000 miles.
d) meet Federal OBD regulations and keep doing so for 100,000 miles
e) cope with 14,000 ft altitudes
f) cope with desert conditions
And in the case of the Corvette produce enough power under all these circumstances to propel it to 175 Mph +.
With current GM corporate standards any vehicle they produce needs to perform within 80% of its original design spec at 200,000 miles and unlike a LOT of other supercars they do.
It is fair to say with a clean sheet of paper and none of the constraints above the designers would produce a fabulous "new Corvette" or any other car for that matter. As in the case of the Corvette Indy a few years ago it would never go into production because it won't ever meet GM or Federal standards.
Given the ever increasing demands of Federal regulations I think we the Corvette community are very lucky that we have a C6 to complain about at all.
Make the most of it guys cos it will not go on for ever. The US has a habit of following what the California Air Resorces Board have to say about emissions, given the proposed legislation for 2010 and up the days of thunder are numbered!!
I think the wheels are 19 or possibly even 20" looking at the photos. I like the side view especially the styling of the door/fender lines.
Checking out one of the threads on the site you get to see a better shot of the rear and it appears to have a dark grey plastic diffuser type appendage on the rear incorporating the reversing lights. It also looks like it has small DLRs like the C5 fog lights.
It also looks like the fenders have a curve behind the front wheels which looks good, but I still reserve judgement on that wide mouth frog front.....
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Tuesday 18th November 11:53
Checking out one of the threads on the site you get to see a better shot of the rear and it appears to have a dark grey plastic diffuser type appendage on the rear incorporating the reversing lights. It also looks like it has small DLRs like the C5 fog lights.
It also looks like the fenders have a curve behind the front wheels which looks good, but I still reserve judgement on that wide mouth frog front.....
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Tuesday 18th November 11:53
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