C7 Corvette Will Have a Split Window

[73shark]

How about fixed lites like current design and a body color cover that retracts?

Never had a problem w/ my hidden lites on the '73 or back on the '68 GTO that I owned for ten years and wished I still had. Might be cuz I bought them both new.

 

[bucket]

How about fixed lites like current design and a body color cover that retracts?

Never had a problem w/ my hidden lites on the '73 or back on the '68 GTO that I owned for ten years and wished I still had. Might be cuz I bought them both new.

.............

how about led illuminated front body panel that looks painted when not in use, including markers and turn signals.??

 

[etype65]

Hopefully they build something which resembles a Corvette in some way shape or form. Ideally for me it should have hidden headlights(maybe even go as far as to once again hide the wiper blades if only under the extended edge of the hood as per the C4), even try the mechanism they used on the Mako Shark concept where a thin panel slid back to expose the lights(the video of the concept is on youtube) and it should have 4 round tail lights everything else is up to the engineers, but sadlly they should get some new designers in there and stop worry about the windtunnel testing so much. The performance of these cars well exceeds most people's needs, so now let them focus on styling a little bit more and stop trying to make it look European.
I honestly hope though they drop the Sting Ray name, but I know the guys at GM cannot come up with original ideas to save there life, ie. how many times have they used LT-1 ZR-1 Z06 the Sting Ray name should remain with the original cars. If they have to take from history use Mako Shark as it never made it to production.

 

[67vet]

If you have ever driven a 63SWC or a barn door Van or Tahoe then you know how annoying it is. It would take some getting used to with a rear camera.
I like the look of the hidden headlights when closed, but they all look ugly when opened. Opel Kadett, Porsche 914 were even worse. The 68 Camaro looked good though.
They will probably never go back to the wire mesh covered lights on the 53, 54 and 55 Corvette.

 

[bucket]

Did you see the BMW that changes shapes?

 

[Cruzen]

While I much prefer the rear of the C6 over my C5, I still prefer the flip up headlights on my C4 or C5 to the plastic cover headlights on the C6. Those just look so Cheap, cheap, cheap. And when you look closely at the headlamps themselves, which are probably very efficient, they look like some cheap after market product you would pick up off the discount table at Checker Auto. Like those rear end lighting kits they sell for the Chevy pickup trucks. Come on guys! You can do better than that!

For those of you who look forward to a split window in the C7, while it looks great from the outside, I would suggest that you drive a 63 split window in traffic for several hours changing lanes etc. before you look forward to that design element. For that matter, just tape a piece of cardboard to the back window of a C4, C5, C6 coupe and you can see what I am talking about. It gets scary fast.

 

[dogfish246]

I like the look of the hidden headlights when closed, but they all look ugly when opened. .

Well thats not a problem because the only time you will see the headlights up is at night where you really wont be able to see them anyway!:L

 

[CorvetteArchives]

NOT!
An Extremely sarcastic wooo.....hooo..... they still havent designed a decent tail since the c4 as seen in those concept pics. They get it a bit better in the C6 but its still big, ungainly and stupid looking!
GM designers give a nod to retro 10 years after they screwed up the c5...and can anyone wonder why GM went belly up? The $ was in retro design 10 years ago when Larry Shinoda designed a kick A$$ retro concept after he saw the hideous c5. GM would have brought new owners to the table based on looks alone wth retro design, but they listened to the idiots on GM's design staff who wanted a "new vette" not a retro one!
As usual, GM lagged behind and developed the Camaro, which btw was clearly designed as a Firebird...but wait, TOO LATE! that division already went belly up!

 

[XLR8]

:L

C'mon guys. Is it really necessary to trash everyone else's Vette in the process?

THEY'RE all CORVETTES.
Jane Ann

 

[catbert]

I think GM has done many, if not most, things WRONG. I don't consider Vette styling to be one of them. Styling as a measure of "eye candy" is important, but styling as an integral part of the engineering package is most important. The split window comes under the eye candy heading, and is a legitimate issue for the personal preference of consumer. I have no strong thoughts either way. The overall shape is a product of function, and has everything to do with the design aero package, which includes over and underbody air management. Simply stated the C5/C6 and C7s so-called big butt design keeps the car from going airborn without the use of a rear wing or pop up aero aid. A car with a top speed of 190 mph for the base model probably needs to have all for wheels on the ground at all times. The wedge design that can do that without wings is the direction GM design has chosen, and I think it's the right decision. The smaller rounded butt of the C4 was right for the times, but that was then and this is now.

 

[kingman]

Need's a change

I have owned vettes since 1964 and had C3, C4, C5's but will skip the C6 run because l am not thrilled with the styling not the performance and my wife also doesn't like it.
But if the C7 looks right l will jump on it in a flash for sure.

Love the split window but would like a real place for the front license plate instead of an after thought.

Alan

 

[bucket]

I think GM has done many, if not most, things WRONG. I don't consider Vette styling to be one of them. Styling as a measure of "eye candy" is important, but styling as an integral part of the engineering package is most important. The split window comes under the eye candy heading, and is a legitimate issue for the personal preference of consumer. I have no strong thoughts either way. The overall shape is a product of function, and has everything to do with the design aero package, which includes over and underbody air management. Simply stated the C5/C6 and C7s so-called big butt design keeps the car from going airborn without the use of a rear wing or pop up aero aid. A car with a top speed of 190 mph for the base model probably needs to have all for wheels on the ground at all times. The wedge design that can do that without wings is the direction GM design has chosen, and I think it's the right decision. The smaller rounded butt of the C4 was right for the times, but that was then and this is now.

..

keepin it real

 

[Cruzen]

Yes, I guess there is a bit of bashing here and yes, all the variations being discussed are Corvettes and because of the variances there’s something for everyone and as a community we must be thankful for that.

My concern about the future of the Corvette is who is GM targeting with the new designs and why? Like I have stated elsewhere, GM purposely targeted the luxury market with the C5 and they admitted as much in their video’s. While the C4 proved itself as a significant upgrade both on and off the street from the C3 which was a product of the early 1960’s the C4, primarily the 1984-1989 models were a bit crude to those who could afford one which ended up being the 35 – 50 and older group. However we noticed some important changes in the last of the C4 series which toned the bone rattling ride down a bit and made it more tolerable for those more accustomed to a smoother ride. Had the C4 been priced so the 20-35 crowd could afford it, I assure you the C5 would not have evolved as a rattle free, electronically sophisticated, quiet exhaust, luxury car that could be used to drag groceries home or golf clubs to the club without putting a wrinkle in your designer clothes. Due to the selling price, the primary market target for the C5 ended up being 48-60 year olds. In economic words, the C5 sold to those who were well along in life and could afford one.

Yes, there were considerations for performance with the C5 with industry driven increases in HP and braking, but I believe the main focus was in providing an enjoyable ride, or as I believe they stated in the video, an “enjoyable experience” for the 50-60 crowd and their significant others. With those stated goals I believe the designers moved a bit too far away from what Corvette enthusiasts expected from a Corvette. I think the C6 was a correction of a few of those issues without taking a complete step backwards. Evidence the C6’s more aggressive exhaust note a slight reduction in length and width and an increase of 1.5” in height. ( The C5 was criticized for it’s increase in apparent size from the C4 though the actual dimensional change was not as drastic as it appeared. The exterior reductions make the C6 look a bit smaller.)

The question then becomes which way will GM go with the C7. As costs go up and consumers disposable income goes down who are they targeting? The 60-70 year olds who now have the house paid off and who realize they won’t be around forever? One local dealer here in Arizona indicated most C6 buyers, not tire kickers, but those who can actually buy the car outright or qualify for the loan are in their late 50 to late 60’s. With a tightening of loan regulations and requirements, many of the debt encumbered 25-50 year old buyers do not qualify to purchase one. Many of the folks who build the Vettes and those who sell them can’t afford one so……..What’s the target market and does that market have the skill set to properly handle a powerful Corvette? That thought alone scares me. If you’ve had heart surgery you probably won’t qualify for a pilots license but if you have enough green stuff, you can drive a 630HP Corvette. Hmmmmmmmm!!

 

[BLUURRR]

Are there states that still require FRONT end license plates? Arizona does not...and I think cars look cleaner styling wise without a front plate...just me. You are right about that after thought thing...alwasys bugged me big time.

Neil

 

[Brett]

Ugh, I hope it doesn't have a split window. Seems like a cheesy ploy to cash in on a famous nostalgic design. The split window is cool because it is rare. What a way to destroy that rarity. It's not practical either. A backup camera is NOT a solution... If Corvette wants to continue to gain true sports car credibility, it needs to stay away from gimmicks like this. The C6 generation has gone a LONG way to gaining the Corvette a great reputation the world over. Please don't ruin the positive steps you have made, GM.

If they have to do it, they should do it for one year again only. Keep it rare, keep it limited.

And in that same vein, even though pop-up headlights are cool, I hope Corvette continues to stay away from them. Less weight, less complexity, and more cost effective. None of today's true sports cars have pop-ups anymore.

 

[JBsC5]

How about fixed lites like current design and a body color cover that retracts?

Never had a problem w/ my hidden lites on the '73 or back on the '68 GTO that I owned for ten years and wished I still had. Might be cuz I bought them both new.

A cool idea of sunroofs is a magnetized (SP) fillament in the roof that when activated allows light in and out...could be used for the headlights to appear black when not in use...It would be light...and when the lights are turned on...the glass would be clear...

Thats a way to give the appearance of hidden lights ....during the day time..

Of course audi is using lights most successfully to differeniate their product...so I'm not sure the corvette team is ready to make the jump in headlight technology I have discussed above..

its available and not very expensive...

I am digging the look of the c6 and especially the new grand sport..

I'd say direct injection and a dual clutch transmission would be the next steps in evolution for the C6.

With those two additions I'd say the corvette would be better than the competition for the next decade...or until the c7 releases..

I'd assume lighter weight..higher strength steel for the corvette hydroformed chassis is a given for the c7...

Add in....DSG and direct injection and we should be able to see....a 15 percent overall improvement in fuel economy.. (7 or 8 percent each)

Performance and hp would increase incrementally as well...

Drop the weight 150 lbs with high strength steel and GM bodies this new c7 corvette in a slightly more modern body style..

Corvette c6 body style has been out for 5 years now...and as much as I want my corvette to be the latest and greatest (blah..blah..blah) I realize 2 seat coupes need body style refreshment is required to keep the consumers buying...

The new grand sport goes a long way towards generating sales and I look forward to hearing what percentage of corvette owners go for the new grand sport over the base model as the months pass..

Will GM hit the 50 percent mark for grand sports contribution to corvette sales?

 

[BLUURRR]

Black light covers-using window shading technology

So...Is there technology out there that would give us an option of matching the light covers (when not in use...daytime) to the body color?

That would be the way to hide your C6 headlights.

 

[MDKyleZ]

So...Is there technology out there that would give us an option of matching the light covers (when not in use...daytime) to the body color?

That would be the way to hide your C6 headlights.

Yes there is tech that can do this and it is in use today.... I've worked with it for several in several applications.

This is the only information that I could quickly find with out sending you to a specific product site.

Smart glass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kyle

 

[bucket]

Yes there is tech that can do this and it is in use today.... I've worked with it for several in several applications.

This is the only information that I could quickly find with out sending you to a specific product site.

Smart glass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kyle

.
dont forget the roof also recieves this treatment and the paint changes colors on your command...

 

[LLC5]

Ed Welburn, General Motors' head of global design, told Edmunds.com's Inside Line that the C7 Corvette will have a split rear window!

According to Welburn:
(regarding the Transformers Corvette Concept)

I just saw the vehicle at the International Car Show and if most of what was shown does not not make it on the C7 it will just be a crime. It is stunning in person. GM should just plain not show it to us if 90% of it doesn't make it into production, it is that good visually. Those Sting Ray emblems are way too cool, I would love to have just a set of them for now. I think the show moves to L.A. next. If it's at all possible make sure you go see it, pictures cannot do it justice.