Jinx

Some people are like that. Other people have legitimate aesthetic preferences. In the case of an automobile I wonder about anyone being too vehement without having seen good photographs, but I don't deny that those aesthetic preferences exist, and matter, and differ from person to person. I certainly don't insult everyone who isn't on the "newer is better" train by reducing them to jealousy.

Rapid Fred

That's the key --

I do not like the rendering very much, but "a few differences" are all that separate the styling of:

• Rubber and chrome bumper C3's
• 1990 and 1991 C4's
• Base and Z06 C6's

In those three examples, you will get a lot of folks (and I am one of them) who really like one version (typically the latter) MUCH more than the other. The C7 rendering shows potential, but IMHO execution of the details will make all the difference between a nice evolution of the Corvette "look" vs. what I now see, which is GM adopting too many current styling fads which will not age well.

I think we all have to take a deep breath and wait for the final version.

To amuse yourself while waiting, go through your old Vette history books ("All Corvettes are Red" for example). Check out the many photos of near-final C5 renderings with slight detail differences which would have made the C5 much less attractive than the one that made the cut -- and which would have never been apparent under road-test camo.

WJF2K2

Agreed. They are my least favorite thing so far. Does not look like a Corvette to me.

BluegrassMotorsport

That is really the point of this whole process, isn't it? You have no idea that this story is bs, just like I have no idea that is it true. I am merely pointing out the possibilities. In reality, none of us are going to know for quite some time what the C7 looks like, so it makes no sense to get so bent out of shape over the subject.

VETTE-NV

The story is pure BS. I'm sure GM "reps" (WTF does THAT mean?) are just cruising around with photos of the C7 in their briefcase. Oh yeah.....right.

BluegrassMotorsport

No need to get testy. Like I said, you don't know that this particular story isn't true. You just don't. I wasn't there, so have no idea that it is true. It would be foolish of me to say otherwise. That is why it is really pointless to even discuss them. All these stories do is stir the pot, creating more rumors and arguments. It is extremely difficult to be patient for the C7. But, until more of that camo is dropped, no "story" is going to get us any closer to the actual product.

SouthernSon

In answer to the mirrors and taillights design, I believe the angular rendition is in keeping with the angular motif of the body. May very well be the final product. Round and flowing thrown in with sharp angles is tricky in design/looks.

jb_va2001

If guys have actual pics of the C7 and are showing them off at the dealers, someone would leak those pics anonymously within hours.

Jalopnik may (or may not) have nailed the C7 appearance, but I don't believe insiders are showing off pics to outsiders yet.

Cheers,
JB

Jinx

I think a lot is lost in the translation from real car to illustration. Subtleties of materials, edges, details, and light are lost or distorted. We all jump to "Camaro taillights" because that's what the illustration seems closest to, but how close are they, really? They're only similar to Camaro to the extent that they're dissimilar from the simple circular units we're used to. The Camaro taillamps are suggestive of two same-sized rectangles on each side (with semicircular lamps within); these C7 things are far more parallelogram and different-sized (inner vs outer), and carried in a (vented?) black surround with some kind of teardrop thing on the outer edges, like a prison tat or an over-mascara'd goth kid. Hell, the Camaro taillights are more "Corvette-like" than these things.

I look at it this way. Corvette has been ultraconservative when it comes to taillights for fifty years. Designers have sketched alternate takes, but it always reverts to something very basic before hitting production. They're finally trying something that pushes the design. Maybe in person it'll work -- not for everyone, of course, but not everyone thinks the traditional is the best approach in the first place. Maybe it'll be an ugly flop, and they'll change it after a year to something else. Maybe it'll be up to the aftermarket to make an alternate rear clip incorporating different lamps. Maybe the C7 section of Corvette shows in three years will be really interesting.

.Jinx

Shrike6

I don't believe either the Jalopnik drawings accuracy, or the story from a dealer about being shown pictures of one of the most closely guarded secrets at GM. You have to ask yourself how and why these would be shown to outsiders. Is this something GM does? I think not.
Also, GM top execs who actually have seen the final design have said it's a bigger jump from the the C6 than the C6 was from the C5. They also called it a more "bold design". The drawings shown so far do not fit the profile. It is, at best, a mild update.
If the C7 ends up looking like them, it is going to be kind of a lame attempt. And the interior, and performance better be exeptional in every way.
I still think everything so far is just speculation, and we'll have to wait to see the real deal.

Jinx

Because GM execs would never put a PR spin on anything. And they'd never use hyperbole. And none of us would disagree with their perception of "bigger jump" or "bold design."

Shrike6

I wouldn't be building up expectations way past what will be delivered, creating disappointment. Always under promise and over deliver.

jimmyb

Does anyone remember all the "renderings" of the C6? I do, and NONE of them were even close. I'll bet money that a real live photo will appear late this year, just like the "lucky" guy that captured that Precision Red C6 on the carrier in November 2003

Jimmy

Shrike6

And I remember hearing that from Bob Lutz, after he retired.
Also heard words to the same effect from Doug Fehan.

Nitrous Oxide

I hope GM won't ditch their new taillights based on the bitching from some of us (including myself). Now that I've seen the enhanced rendition on a white body, I think it could in fact be awesome.

XZR1

I like the tail lights shown in the drawings, and to me they still look Corvette, I'm happy to ditch the round tail lights and move on.

OnPoint

I tend to agree with this. The odds of keeping those from "leaking" to the media would low IMO.

ajg1915

That's good news.

easyrider13

That might be a deal killer for me.

JLinCA

I don't think I could stand looking at that ridiculous rear end everytime I washed the car. What the hell are they thinking????