It seems pretty clear that the Vette will come out with HID headlights, since that's basically what's required in today's market (and because they are so much better). But that raises the question of auto-leveling. Here's an excerpt from a web page that explains the issue.

So to be marketed in europe, all cars equipped with HID lights must have either a load leveling suspension, or self leveling headlamps. The latter are great. I've driven an Audi A8L with them (quite extensively) and they make fixed headlamps seem inconvenient. For those of you who've never used them, they act sort of like flashlights that always point the right way. If there's brake dive, they swivel up so they aren't pointing at the ground. If you're going down a hill they point up again so you can see ahead a little. Even if the back of the car is loaded down they stay level. All in all you don't notice it untill you get back in a car with regular lights and notice that they don't point the right way most of the time

Anyway the point is that the vette is marketed both here and in europe. They essentially have three options for the european cars:

1. Make a separate lighting system for euro-spec cars which uses conventional halogen lights, and don't offer the HID's to europeans. This would not help sales but it's probably the easiest solution

2. Make a load leveling suspension. I can't really imagine them doing that. The vette's suspension is very carefuly designed for performance, and adding in a load leveling system would really mess with it.

3. Include self leveling headlamps. Probably the best solution, but more costly than option number one. They have discussed high tech lighting, and this may be part of it. If they do incorporate it on the euro spec cars, then it would make sense to at least offer it on the american cars since they are built on the same line.

What do you all think? Will we get self leveling lights? I hope so.

Scott

 

I hope so too, but I honestly don't know.

 

From the look of the spy shots and the Car and Driver pic, they will be fixed zeon headlamps. Maybe later on, they will replace them for self leveling headlamps. The general has alot of options now that it got rid of the pop ups (even though I will miss them greatly, they look so much cooler than the damn bug eye look)

 

I've never used them, so don't know the advantages, so that being said, don't really favor them, because in my mind it's just weight and one more thing to break (haveing replaced by C5 headlamp motor twice).

But again, i've never seen the advantages, that my change my opinion.

 

Great post. Of the options you mention, I think #3 is the most likely.

:steering:

 

I say option #1. I'm not sure why you'd need them unless they are gov't mandated. Who's gonna haul top soil in their corvette?


[Modified by vett-ish, 2:59 PM 10/24/2003]

 

Also, id like to see some xenon headlamps.....I seriously dount GM would be that perceptive tho :sleep: :nonod:

 

It's not just loads of topsoil :lol: Going up/down hills they also make corrections. I've had a few cars with self leveling lights(HIDs). Never had an issue with them, and they do help keep the light out of oncoming eyes.

Of course, it is weight. Kinda pointless removing one headlight motor, and replacing it with another(though probably smaller).

If it wasn't for the marketing Buzz, I'd opt for good old halogin headlights. A well designed and aimed Halogin is nearly as effective as HID, and doesn't have the weight of a ballast or motor. Not to mention they cost a lot less.

 

If we are willing to pay $900 for the most basic "option" a manual tranny, then we will pay the extra cash for self leveling headlights. Plus in this category at this price who would not expect HID lights.

What would be the point of not making them self leveling. Let's look at the evidence.

Hill said that the car will have in US specs the things that it needs to meet euro specs (including strangely enough rear fog lights).

The vette comes with most things standard today, this saves GM money vs having to design and manufacture two differently engineered varieties (PW, PL, AH, AC) they do this because 90% of people would get these anyway.

P.S. since Lutz wants this to appeal to euroweenies, will it have a space to store your man purse? :lolg:

 

:lolg: :rofl: :lolg:

 

I don't understand this part. If the car is going uphill.... then most likely isn't the road going uphill also? If I'm going up a 10* grade why would I want my headlights to tilt 10* down and point 5" in front of the car at the road instead of lighting up what is in front of me? Wouldn't a car going DOWN the same hill on the opposite side of the road be angled at a corresponding manner that my headlights shouldn't glare in the first place at them?

:confused: :crazy: :confused:

 

:withstupid:

 

Apparently neither of you have driven a car with self leveling lights.

When going down a hill, if your lights aim up(a little), it will help you to see further out, beyond the bottom of the hill. Otherwise they just point at the ground at the bottom.

When going up a hill, and near the top. by aiming the lights down a bit, it helps you see the road, and not the tops of trees.

Sure, if the hill is a mile long, and straight, you wouldn't want this adjustment. But, most steap hills are rather short. Trust me, the adjustable lights help some, and seldom have a negative impact on visibility.

If it was just for uneven loads it wouldn't impact enough people for the EU to make self leveling a law. Not enough people haul large uneven loads often enough for it to be a safety hazard(headlights). Just my opionion, and guess, no facts.

 

Great post Lymann,
I never could understand why BMW, Audi, et al charge $500 for the HID lights. Now I know that the cost is in the aiming devise required. They should do a better job of educating customers about this.

 

For cars with xenon-lights (which will be absolutely necessary for a car in the price range of the new C6) German regulations require both self-leveling and a cleaning system for the lamps.

JR



[Modified by JR Germany, 10:31 AM 10/24/2003]

 

I bet they do the load-leveling suspension. They can probably do it with existing sensors and magnetic shock programming alone. Corvettes have a low cargo weight, so heavy lifting isn't required.

I just hope that GM has gotten the message that non-HID = low-rent to the extent that HID is standard on C6, and not parts-compatible with any other GM product. I don't need my hood ripped open because some punk wants HIDs on his HHT.

.Jinx

 

Honestly, I don't care if they self level... I just want to see Xenon low and high beams. Especially low beams.

IMO, that's the only requirement.

 

:iagree:

 

What has GM done on the XLR and other Cadilacs?

The Cadillac Site Lists:
Standard on XLR, Optional on CTS and SRX
The fact that they have "integrated washers" would indicate compliance with euro-specs. I don't know if they are self leveling or not.

 

After owning cars with Halogens and HIDs, I really don't care. But I suppose it sells, just like the "Bose" name :( I've had cars with Halogens that are as effective as any Xenon's I have owned. It's all in how well the are engineered, and aimed.

In fact the BEST headlight of any vehicle I have owned was on my Suzuki Hayabusa. It was just a projector Halogen. That single light gave me a better view of the road than any car I have ever owned.

I'd just as soon pass on the cost and weight of HIDs. But, I'm sure marketing will prevail, just like it does with Bose.(in case you didn't notice I'm not a fan of the Bose systems I have had, in any car).