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Two C6 headlight designs?

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Old Oct 7, 2003 | 09:57 PM
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Default Two C6 headlight designs?

I've been wondering if the Corvette design team might have actually designed two different headlight systems for the C6?



You have the exposed one being implemented for the C6 introduction that we've all heard about (& seen possibly in that presentation picture).



But, wouldn't it make sense for such a controversial Corvette design element that they might have also designed a "backup" version... a hidden headlight version perhaps as a replacement to be introduced during the second model year in the event that they receive too much negative criticism over the initial design.



What do you all think?



Just thinking out loud.

:seeya
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Old Oct 7, 2003 | 10:45 PM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (Tiger Shark)

after reading about the Adaptive Forward Lighting System (AFS) I can see why Popups are gone :nopity
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Old Oct 7, 2003 | 11:40 PM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (xilr8n)

FWIW, please note that I did not specify what type of hidden headlight system might be the alternate design, i.e. I didn't say "Popups".

:steering:
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 01:08 AM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (Tiger Shark)

No more hidden headlights. End of story.

There are many technical and engineering reasons for this.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 02:32 AM
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Default No.

There was no backup design for the Aztek.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 08:27 AM
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Default Re: No. (Jinx)

There was no backup design for the Aztek.
:lolg: :lolg: :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:


[Modified by obmar, 1:28 PM 10/8/2003]
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 08:42 AM
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Default Re: No. (Jinx)

There was no backup design for the Aztek.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 11:25 AM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (Tiger Shark)

Are you joking? Chevrolet would never invest the money in that. You do realize that tooling, research, design, etc. would cost them too much for a seperate headlight that may never even go into production.

People should stop the discussion about hidden headlights. They're gone. Period.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 11:37 AM
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Default Re: No. (Jinx)

There was no backup design for the Aztek.
Glad you brought that up. During the Aztek's second model year (2002), they modified the exterior appearance in part based on the negative feedback. Not that they already had an alternate design in place for these changes, but they did make a change to the exterior appearance during the second year of production that wasn't part of the originally introduced design.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 12:18 PM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (GDP)

Are you joking? Chevrolet would never invest the money in that. You do realize that tooling, research, design, etc. would cost them too much for a seperate headlight that may never even go into production.

People should stop the discussion about hidden headlights. They're gone. Period.
:iagree:

Can't wait to see what the front end really looks like, though. Hope the headlights look cool - like how well they look on Ferraris, for example.

The Car & Driver picture wasn't enough for me - it's a weird angle and I need to see the whole front to make a call on whether or not I like it.

That being said - bring on the HIDs! :cool:
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 12:25 PM
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Default Re: No. (Tiger Shark)

GM had been raked over the Automotive Mag coals for years about bland cookie cutter designs. The mission statement for the Azetek team was "Push the envelope." We all know that the envelope appeared to have been folded by Picasso. I am certain that the C6 design team, headed by the same chief designer has a different mission statement this time.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 12:43 PM
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Default Re: No. (LongTimer)

We all know that the envelope appeared to have been folded by Picasso.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 12:49 PM
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Default Re: No. (Tiger Shark)

Glad you brought that up. During the Aztek's second model year (2002), they modified the exterior appearance in part based on the negative feedback. Not that they already had an alternate design in place for these changes, but they did make a change to the exterior appearance during the second year of production that wasn't part of the originally introduced design.



That is the long way of saying that they just changed colors by not making the cladding a contrasting color.
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Old Oct 8, 2003 | 01:07 PM
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Default Re: No. (Curtis A. Franz)

That is the long way of saying that they just changed colors by not making the cladding a contrasting color.
That's a good point. From http://www.edmunds.com :

What's New for 2002
After a chilling reception from consumers in its first year, Pontiac is attempting to salvage the Aztek with a slight makeover that includes a monotone exterior and a new rear spoiler. Inside, numerous amenities that were optional on last year's model are now standard equipment.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2002/pon...v..12.Pontiac*

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Old Oct 9, 2003 | 12:44 PM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (74_LS-4)

I am hearing from GM sources the hidden headlight ban is actually Federally mandated. Something about DRLs etc.
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Old Oct 10, 2003 | 09:43 AM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (Blindfingers)

I am hearing from GM sources the hidden headlight ban is actually Federally mandated. Something about DRLs etc.
The C5 has DRLs and hidden headlights. What requirements changed concerning DRLs?
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Old Oct 10, 2003 | 11:13 AM
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Default Re: Two C6 headlight designs? (Hurricane)

I hope Chevy gets it right. The headlight, when exposed, is such an important element in the design. :)
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Old Oct 10, 2003 | 11:23 AM
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Default Re: No. (Tiger Shark)

During the Aztek's second model year (2002), they modified the exterior appearance in part based on the negative feedback. Not that they already had an alternate design in place for these changes, but they did make a change to the exterior appearance during the second year of production that wasn't part of the originally introduced design.
They painted the lower bumpers and cladding to match the body color. They didn't even bother to change the slightly rough texture on those panels, which makes them look bad. "What's wrong with the paint? Oh."

Remember the criticism over C5's big butt. Through C5's eight year run GM didn't touch it. In retrospect that's a good thing. Sometimes good design isn't immediately obvious, especially to laymen. (BMW may be putting this idea to the ultimate test.)

I have a hard time believing the headlights would be so universally criticized that they would kill sales -- which is the only thing that would make GM flinch within the first three or four model years.

.Jinx
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