Interior lighting...Not much
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 102
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington MASSACHUSETTS
Interior lighting...Not much
I was kind of disappointed with the lack of interior lighting in my new C7 while driving. There is no lighting trim on the doors, no ambient lighting glowing down on the center console like the BMW's and Audi's, no footwell lighting and for a car of this caliber the Corvette Sill plate does not light up.
My Audi S6 has all that and more
Has anyone done any upgrades to the interior lighting of their C7 and if so what did you do, post PICS, where did you get the parts, etc. Curious to see what can be done for short money and make it look factory.
Thanks
My Audi S6 has all that and more
Has anyone done any upgrades to the interior lighting of their C7 and if so what did you do, post PICS, where did you get the parts, etc. Curious to see what can be done for short money and make it look factory.
Thanks
Last edited by ccap; May 14, 2015 at 09:00 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 758
Likes: 15
From: burlington north carolina
I was kind of disappointed with the lack of interior lighting in my new C7 while driving. There is no lighting trim on the doors, no ambient lighting glowing down on the center console like the BMW's and Audi's, no footwell lighting and for a car of this caliber the Corvette Sill plate does not light up.
My Audi S6 has all that and more
Has anyone done any upgrades to the interior lighting of their C7 and if so what did you do, where did you get the parts, etc. Curious to see what can be done for short money and make it look factory.
Thanks
My Audi S6 has all that and more
Has anyone done any upgrades to the interior lighting of their C7 and if so what did you do, where did you get the parts, etc. Curious to see what can be done for short money and make it look factory.
Thanks
yes you can buy led kits from several of the supporting vendors on here
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
Geez, it's a sports car, not a living room. You should be watching the road, with the bare minimum of distractions. Why are you looking at your door panels or carpet while you're driving?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 263
From: Henderson, Nevada Nevada
I can see both sides of this debate.
On a premium car such as the C7, premium features are expected. Even the Mustang at half the cost or less has an elaborate LED interior lighting system. I was kind of disappointed in this aspect of the C7 too.
On the other side of the coin, many people who buy the C7 see no value in features that don't improve the driving experience.
Both sides are right.
On a premium car such as the C7, premium features are expected. Even the Mustang at half the cost or less has an elaborate LED interior lighting system. I was kind of disappointed in this aspect of the C7 too.
On the other side of the coin, many people who buy the C7 see no value in features that don't improve the driving experience.
Both sides are right.
CORVETTE TODAY Show Host
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 26,024
Likes: 7,882
From: Kansas City, Missouri
CORVETTE TODAY Host
St. Jude Donor'15
Meyer, I disagree with your comments. Just because it's a sports car doesn't mean it can't be well appointed. Doc makes good points in the post above.
My Daily Driver is a 2007 Acura TL Type S. It, at least, has ambient footwell lighting that stays on the entire time that the headlights are on.
Why are you so angry Meyer? He doesn't have to be driving to look at door panels and carpet. I definitely feel the same way the OP feels.
My Daily Driver is a 2007 Acura TL Type S. It, at least, has ambient footwell lighting that stays on the entire time that the headlights are on.
Why are you so angry Meyer? He doesn't have to be driving to look at door panels and carpet. I definitely feel the same way the OP feels.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
I don't see Meyer as angry - he's just stating the same opinion I hold. ALL of the little "enhancements" people are seeking start pulling away from what I perceive GM's goal with this car - making it the best value sports car available. Incrementally all of this adds weight. The luxury stuff is nice - but it doesn't aid the performance of the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 786
Likes: 78
From: DFW TX-Texas
If little things like ambient interior lighting were omitted for (or any combination of):
a. focus on increasing quality elsewhere
b. lower cost
c. lower weight
I'm glad and wont miss them.
I had a buddy with the full LED lighting package in his Mustang (you could even change the colors) lighting up door sills, footwell, door panels, etc..
It looked awesome getting in and out of the car at night.
But outside of that you never knew they were there.
a. focus on increasing quality elsewhere
b. lower cost
c. lower weight
I'm glad and wont miss them.
I had a buddy with the full LED lighting package in his Mustang (you could even change the colors) lighting up door sills, footwell, door panels, etc..
It looked awesome getting in and out of the car at night.
But outside of that you never knew they were there.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,272
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
Well stated.I can see both sides of this debate.
On a premium car such as the C7, premium features are expected. Even the Mustang at half the cost or less has an elaborate LED interior lighting system. I was kind of disappointed in this aspect of the C7 too.
On the other side of the coin, many people who buy the C7 see no value in features that don't improve the driving experience.
Both sides are right.
On a premium car such as the C7, premium features are expected. Even the Mustang at half the cost or less has an elaborate LED interior lighting system. I was kind of disappointed in this aspect of the C7 too.
On the other side of the coin, many people who buy the C7 see no value in features that don't improve the driving experience.
Both sides are right.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
So tell me, what is the practical benefit of footwell lighting that stays on whenever the headlights are on? I don't look at my feet while I'm driving. I don't even look at my feet when I'm parked. All of this interior lighting is nothing but a gimmick. A lot of these new features are just "because we can," not because they're useful. And some of them actively interfere with the act of driving. Distracted driving is, I think, the leading cause of automobile accidents, because drivers are too busy playingn with the gadgets in their cars. Or maybe looking at the carpet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 19
From: San Antonio TX
Don't worry. You'll soon be told that the almighty makers of the vette did it because it hampers performance, or you don't need that anyhow.............despite a 60k vehicle.
whoops, I'm too late.
What the naysayers keep missing is for 60k you SHOULD EXPECT to not only get the performance, but all the little luxuries as well.
whoops, I'm too late.
What the naysayers keep missing is for 60k you SHOULD EXPECT to not only get the performance, but all the little luxuries as well.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Cordova Tn
So tell me, what is the practical benefit of footwell lighting that stays on whenever the headlights are on? I don't look at my feet while I'm driving. I don't even look at my feet when I'm parked. All of this interior lighting is nothing but a gimmick. A lot of these new features are just "because we can," not because they're useful. And some of them actively interfere with the act of driving. Distracted driving is, I think, the leading cause of automobile accidents, because drivers are too busy playingn with the gadgets in their cars. Or maybe looking at the carpet.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Cordova Tn
Don't worry. You'll soon be told that the almighty makers of the vette did it because it hampers performance, or you don't need that anyhow.............despite a 60k vehicle.
whoops, I'm too late.
What the naysayers keep missing is for 60k you SHOULD EXPECT to not only get the performance, but all the little luxuries as well.
whoops, I'm too late.
What the naysayers keep missing is for 60k you SHOULD EXPECT to not only get the performance, but all the little luxuries as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 683
From: Austin Texas
St. Jude Donor '15
I love my car, don't care that it doesn't have lighting everywhere. My wife's Lacrosse has ambient lighting on the trim around the dash and doors. Granted it looks nice, but while you are driving are you looking at it? I hope not.
There are pros and cons to this and it can get carried to extremes. We have kids that go over the top, or maybe I should say under the bottom with lighting. There are show cars that make good use of ambient lighting. But it seems to me that it is for show, no matter what kind of vehicle it is in.
The Corvette is a show stopper as it is, great performance and style. Direct from the factory to you. I don't believe that just because a car costs $60,000+ it has to have interior lighting that draws attention. I know that there is some merit to the ambient lighting, subtle and calming, all that jazz. But really it is not an item that I am looking for in a sport/GT car.
I hope that everyone enjoys their opinion and what they like in their Corvette. I know that I do.
There are pros and cons to this and it can get carried to extremes. We have kids that go over the top, or maybe I should say under the bottom with lighting. There are show cars that make good use of ambient lighting. But it seems to me that it is for show, no matter what kind of vehicle it is in.
The Corvette is a show stopper as it is, great performance and style. Direct from the factory to you. I don't believe that just because a car costs $60,000+ it has to have interior lighting that draws attention. I know that there is some merit to the ambient lighting, subtle and calming, all that jazz. But really it is not an item that I am looking for in a sport/GT car.
I hope that everyone enjoys their opinion and what they like in their Corvette. I know that I do.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 551
Likes: 48
From: Spring TX
Sometimes I wish they'd just make the Z28 version of the Corvette so all the 'performance at all costs' folks could have that version with max performance and a minimum of anything else. There are clearly people who want that. Carbon fiber wheels, strip out the radio/air conditioner/passenger seat/whatever.
They should also make a 4LT model that maxes out the luxury. Soften the ride (in a new Luxury mode?), allow the car to rise up on the shocks for big ramps, include German-style real leather seats, lane assist cameras on the mirrors, parking assist sonar, LED lighting throughout, and more.
Would that satisfy everybody?
They should also make a 4LT model that maxes out the luxury. Soften the ride (in a new Luxury mode?), allow the car to rise up on the shocks for big ramps, include German-style real leather seats, lane assist cameras on the mirrors, parking assist sonar, LED lighting throughout, and more.
Would that satisfy everybody?
Last edited by scottsh; May 14, 2015 at 03:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 102
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington MASSACHUSETTS
Guys....Love the debate. I understand what everyone is saying, however its not just for looks but ambient lighting done right is functional. Take for example the way BMW and Audi wash the center console with a red light from the headliner. That is not only really nice looking but also functional to see the area while you are driving. Like an airplane cockpit. Some other are for show but it also just bring the quality and sophistication that this car has up to the standards, that's all. The best lighting is not even knowing its there but is useful.
Not I am not looking at my feet, but it would lust go that extra step.
PS LOVE THE CAR and I am not complaining just starting good conversation!!
Best to all
Not I am not looking at my feet, but it would lust go that extra step.
PS LOVE THE CAR and I am not complaining just starting good conversation!!
Best to all
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
I kind of miss the ambient light that was on the early C6s. Very subtle but effective. But if you look back in the C6 gen forum there must be 100s of threads asking what that little light was for. 
I think they got rid of it around 2010? I know my 2012 GS didn't have it...
I think they got rid of it around 2010? I know my 2012 GS didn't have it...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
C-5 has a low voltage/low watt light on the passenger side of the rear view mirror.
I just assumed it was an 'always on' map light.
With the integration of Nav, no real need for a map light.
Now...if either driver or passenger drops something, some low level lighting would be useful for finding said object. Wouldn't want (whatever) getting hung upbehind the petals, for example, But after about a year of ownership, I've had no need for anything beyond what it was built with.
for entry/exit lighting, I find the existing LEDs to be more than sufficient - much brighter than any other car I've ever owned.
I just assumed it was an 'always on' map light.
With the integration of Nav, no real need for a map light.
Now...if either driver or passenger drops something, some low level lighting would be useful for finding said object. Wouldn't want (whatever) getting hung upbehind the petals, for example, But after about a year of ownership, I've had no need for anything beyond what it was built with.
for entry/exit lighting, I find the existing LEDs to be more than sufficient - much brighter than any other car I've ever owned.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 19
From: San Antonio TX
Guys....Love the debate. I understand what everyone is saying, however its not just for looks but ambient lighting done right is functional. Take for example the way BMW and Audi wash the center console with a red light from the headliner. That is not only really nice looking but also functional to see the area while you are driving. Like an airplane cockpit. Some other are for show but it also just bring the quality and sophistication that this car has up to the standards, that's all. The best lighting is not even knowing its there but is useful.
Not I am not looking at my feet, but it would lust go that extra step.
PS LOVE THE CAR and I am not complaining just starting good conversation!!
Best to all
Not I am not looking at my feet, but it would lust go that extra step.
PS LOVE THE CAR and I am not complaining just starting good conversation!!
Best to all