[NEWS] Corvette changed headlights to keep car from going stale

[Ken]

From Automotive News:

Corvette changed headlights to keep car from going stale

Automotive News / January 09, 2005

Dave Hill, chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette, says the limited edition Z06 model slated for production next fall moves the legendary General Motors sports car into uncharted territory in terms of performance and handling.

Chevrolet Corvette chief engineer Dave Hill​

The car offers 500 hp and a zero-to-60 mph time of about 3 seconds. Hill spoke with Staff Reporter Richard Truett.​

During the introduction of the Z06, we heard that it was the Corvette racing team that pressed for the change from pop-up to fixed headlights. How did you feel about making that move? ​

It was a VLE (vehicle line executive) call, and it was one of the most, I would say, important decisions that we made in creating the car.

We had all those years of the pop-ups; it was a design cue. But if you keep on doing the same thing, you are going to get not just predictable, but stale. And following most of the decisions we made on the Corvette, if you chose the technically superior decision, that's going to stand the test of time.​

So we went with the fixed headlamps for aerodynamics and outstanding lighting performance, which we think is real important.​

The Corvette has had pop-up headlights since the 1963 model year. Has there been much of an outcry from the enthusiasts over the fixed headlights? ​

No. It has gone over very well. We convert the people when they get behind the wheel and experience the lighting performance. The lighting is very white, very broad, and you get outstanding visibility, which is what I think a high-performance car should have. So there's been no push to go back to pop-up lights.​

Is the hood scoop on the Z06 functional? ​

Yes. It takes some cold air directly into the air cleaner.​

The hood scoop on the Corvette Z06 takes cold air directly to the air cleaner.​

When will the Z06 be available, and how much will it cost?
We expect to be shipping cars to customers in the fourth quarter of 2005.

It will be more expensive than today's ($52,000) car, but it will offer a fantastic value against other cars that are at its performance level.

We are very proud of the value it continues to deliver. That's one of Corvette's primary attributes.

How many Z06s will you build?
We probably won't produce as many 2006 Z06s as we did with the previous model. It will probably be in the 15 percent to 20 percent-of-total-Corvette region.

Are you looking at using carbon fiber anywhere else on the car other than the fenders and floorboards?
Right now, we feel it is very well equipped. It's still a very expensive material. But as we evolve the production processes, hopefully the raw material costs will also come down.

You may e-mail Richard Truett at rtruett@crain.com

 

[Rob]

I don't necessarily agree with the title of the article. Maybe I'm being picky here, but it kind of takes Dave Hill's words, and over-emphasizes a point that really doesn't need to be over-emphasized.

The main reasons for going to fixed headlamps is because of:

1. the major weight savings by taking away the headlight buckets and motors required to power them,
2. increased aerodynamics during high-speed, low-light conditions.
3. Improved lighting capability

If you look at all the other exotic, high performance sports cars out there: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Dodge Viper, Ford GT, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, etc., all use fixed head lamps and have moved away from using pop-up headlights.

I agree that the move to fixed head-lamps does contribute to keeping the Corvette's design fresh and not going stale, but in my opinion, the real weight should be placed on engineering improvement, rather than preventing a specific design from becoming stale.

I don't know....maybe I'm just being crotchety tonight. :L

 

[kingman]

Starting to Fade!

HI

My first reaction of the C6 was mixed then l was falling in love with it and now l'm falling out of love with the styling.

I'm definitely in love with the performance and l guess that's all that should matter but 98% of the time l could have a 200hp engine and nobody would know.

Now with new coming of the Z06 and if it had the 427 emblem on the side then nobody in his or her right mind would ever challenge me.

I hope it's just a passing thing as the C5 price's continue to sag. But they will rebound in the next couple of months.

Alan

 

[paulie]

I think it was a good idea to go to the fixed headlamps. At first I didn't really take a fancy to them but they are starting to look better. Also, since they help aerodynamics and such, it makes sense to go to something new and better. I agree with Kingman about them putting a 427 badge on the side because it would look wicked! Maybe Mid America will come out with one in a year or so being that they make all those cool little details. C5's price is just sagging probably because it's still in those first few years where deprecian is the most, but it will rise up again.

 

[68Roadster]

I just want to win the lottery....then I could get one with pop ups and one without!

 

[kingman]

Front license plate horror!

I will not really dive into this but living in the great nation of New Jersey we have to have a front plate and it kills the front end for sure. At least on the C5 it got lost.

But we must go forward with progress and get ready for the Z-06 and with 400 ponies it has to be as slippery as possible up front. That is a fact and to obtain 180+ mph every little bit helps. I once read that in order to go from 180mph to 185mph the extra horsepower needed was something like 50hp.

The fixed lights at 150+mph would really make a difference at night. But again if l was caught doing this in New Jersey they would hang me and l would be driving a $200 low mileage, one owner Yugo and will be paying $12,000 in insurance.

Just love New Jersey.

Alan

 

[WhalePirot]

The fixed lights at 150+mph

I wonder how the stick-on front plate holds up at those speeds.:L

I am okay with the fixed lights and the overall styling. Hell, I bought one; I must be. I hope to be in a position to buy a Z06; or that my spouse can follow through with her, "I want to pay you back for my car" comment.

I'll need more time with another C-6 to find our if the seats are as uncomfy as I found them, at first; and will have to have the paddle shift.

Hib, I'm with ya on your post.

I thought the new 'Z' was just under 4 seconds, not near 3, in the 0-60 dash. Heck, maybe I'll have to juice my ride or trade!

 

[OLDGOAT]

hey kingman, speaking of C5 prices a local dealer has been trying for weeks to sell a brand new C5 vert. Sticker of about 55 and the advertised asking price is 45. It's still for sale. I'd buy it for 25 to use as a grocery getter or planter in my yard but they probably would not go that low ( YET ). I suppose a person could part it out and maybe even make some money if it goes low enough.

I never liked the appearance of the C5 especially from the back. I expect that C5 prices have only one way to go for at least the next 20-25 years. And....like a rock....that is down. Lots of people who never thought they could afford one are going to be driving them. The C6 is completely new, more powerful, and has significantly better styling. And...GM hasn't even improved upon it yet. Give it a couple of years and it will pull even farther ahead of the poor tired old C5.