Chrome and the C8 or the lack thereof - Observation
 

The new emblem is not high gloss chrome like the C7. It is confirmed to be "brushed chrome" for a more matte appearance. Looking at the exhaust tips they have the same finish. With the C7 reveal they made a comment that they tried to give the car some "high feature jewelry" or brightwork. I thought they did a nice job there. So... it appears they are going for less high gloss chrome on the new car (many will rejoice). Will be interesting to see if there's a polished aluminum wheel option with a clear coat like they did with the Z16 Z06 C5 wheels.

Please do not turn this into a black wheels vs. chrome wheels pissing contest.

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Chrome does not belong on a modern day sports car and especially not on a modern day mid engine car.

I like chrome, but I'm fine with brushed aluminum/chrome too. :leaving:

Oh and I'm 37... so not all brightwork fans are older. IMO it depends on color... a silver car looks great with gunmetal wheels, a car like my avatar needs something silver or polished; bright.

Chrome can belong on a modern day sports car and especially on a modern day mid engine car. It's all personal taste.

If you want Chrome on a modern day sports car, you have to go all in....:leaving:

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Chrome looks fantastic on classic cars and on Luxury GTs such as the Bentley Continental. It works on affordable cars when done right, such as the upcoming 2020 Hyundai Sonata or the Buick Regal. However, chrome is not great on modern performance cars. Modern performance cars are designed with either simplicity or aggression in mind, and either method must come with functionality. Chrome provides none of those things. It sticks out like a sore thumb on a car with a carbon fiber roof and black accents all over. Most high-end performance cars are fitted with lightweight wheels to reduce unsprung mass. That typically calls for Aluminum alloy or magnesium wheels, and those usually have a brushed or polished finish.

I think that the design team is limiting its use of shiny chrome in order to approve the Corvette’s brand image. A lot of people see the Corvette as an old-man car because of the chrome, just like a CTS or an Enclave. If you replace that shiny chrome with a stealthier, more aggressive finish, more people will respect the Corvette.

But I’m not even old enough to vote, so I might fall into the majority demographic of people who are anti-chrome:lol:

I like chrome. We do exist and don't give a damn what you anti-chrome folks think. I'm 39 if that matters and have chrome A molds on my C4. It's MY CAR, get bent if you don't like it.

Oops, we weren't supposed to turn this into a chrome/no chrome pissing contest, sorry.

Chrome can look very nice as can other metal finishes. All comes down to good taste. Taste for use for accents in design can be very impactful Over done, of course it can be hideously ostentatious.

Personally I like the "Race Car" aka C7R and the other competitors that do not have bright work or chrome.
Nothing like the look of a serous race car IMO.

That Lambo needs chrome wheels :rofl:

Can't wait to see the high res pics of the C8!

"Chrome" or "polished aluminum" or "polished stainless", etc. I've seen polished aluminum that damned near looked like chrome (same for stainless), especially at a distance. A prime example is a well done Cobra body that is finished (and clearcoated) with the polished aluminum look. From more than 20 feet away in the sun, you'd think it was chrome.

Chrome can easily be overdone, it's definitely a case of "a little dab will do you". It's when things go overboard that chrome looks bad.

Looking at the rear facia on the C8, wondering poor they’ll apply the emblem?

You just did by even starting a thread like this.

This is about as well as one can describe the use of chrome on a current model sports car. The only chrome that is cool at this point are the black or dark charcoal chrome finishes. The chrome(silver)finish available on the wheels of previous generation Corvettes will disappear with the C8. I'm sure the Eklers Catalogue will offer them for the die hard traditionalists.

Personal taste questions will always vary wildly, but it is not correct to generalize the opinion that no one like chrome. Lots of people do.Blacking out a car is for when the owner want a stealth look, chrome and to a lessor extent machined steel is for when you want a bit more flash. Both are equally good.

Personally I prefer Chrome. Black wheels are just too boring and dull for my taste.

One can get all the chrome they want in the aftermarket. Probably white wall tires too.

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Some are thinking it won't have one... the emblem could go on the rear deck lid like the C5 generation. According to @jagamajajaran the C7 was originally going to have the emblem only w/o any "Corvette" script. It may well be there's nothing on the rear of the car at all. We shall see.

True... but my intent was more to point out the fact that they've decided to accent the car with brushed metal on the outside as evidenced by the emblem and exhaust tips. The exhaust tips are more brushed than the C7 exhaust was.

Good post pointing out the differences here! And yes, the addition of the Corvette script to the rear of the C7 was a last minute change. :thumbs:

My ‘05 C6 had polished wheels. Look good until viewed up close then showing to be a little cloudy. My ‘14 C7 Base has chrome which works for me because they are only 5 spoked. For my C8 I want either polished or basic silver and hope they come with a nice brightly colored center cap. Hey, what if those Zora color specific coins we’ve seen end up being used the same for wheel center caps matched to the car’s color?

Now flame me if you want but I like these wheels, so far, if they are offered 5spoke polished/silver the rest black. Look good standing still and in rotation too IMO. :flag:


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