2 more 2009 Camaro spy pics - fuel door location shown! (+ front headlights closeup)

[Pencil.Fight]

Originally Posted by camero

I'm telling you that the production version looks great and you're going to love it and you're not even going to notice two more lights or a little flip out in the bumper once you get yours.

Before anyone starts, he was talking about the reverse lights. The headlights are going to change.

I just started a new job, so I've been really busy lately, but I'm going to take this time to chime in with some thoughts of my own.

First of all, I don't understand any of these supposed issues with having the gas cap on the top or on the driver's side. The gas cap is on the driver's side in my Corolla and I have never even come close to hitting the door on the pillar. No, it's not because I take extra care to protect my door when opening it. I just drive forward until I'm past the post. At least at all the gas stations around here, the hoses are long enough to still reach the gas tank (and then some).

As for spilling gas on the paint? It's a matter of physics. When you remove the nozzle from the tank any leftover gas will invariably drip straight down. When the fuel door is on the side of the car, this generally results in gas dripping down the side of your car. However, if the gas cap were on top, and you lifted the nozzle straight up, all the excess gas would drip straight down into the gas tank where it belongs.

I'm with TAG in how much I really wanted the gas cap to stay where it was on the concept. I think it was a key design cue that made the 2010 Camaro what it was (we all have to remember that Camaro is more than just a name).

It's naive to believe that GM would make any of these changes without a good reason. They're not sitting there in their offices trying to think up ways to piss off their fans. They are doing all that they can to make this the best car possible, and some of that includes making changes that we don't like or understand, but are really for our own good.

So far, Silver Turtle's explanation for the gas cap relocation is the only one that makes any sense, and I think he's probably right on the money about that. If you look on the fender now, there really is no room for the gas cap without shoving it way back towards the rear of the car. I for one would gladly give up some trunk space for it, but the vast majority of the Camaro purchasing public will not.

As for the reverse lights, I don't think they look too bad where they are, but a few members have brought up a good point about possible damage. Sure, the legal requirement may be that they have to stand up to only 2.5 mph, but that doesn't change the fact that I now have to replace two lights next time some moron on his cell phone bumps into my car.

My only real problem with the lip on the bumper is that it will encourage people to put their feet up on there when standing behind the car. My car is NOT a truck people!

In closing, I would like to say that I am withholding any real judgment until I see the final product, but I think it's important that GM gets all this feedback from those of us who really care about the car. I am confident that they are reading our comments and taking them to heart. This way, if something doesn't get changed, I know it won't be for lack of trying. They know how we feel, and will take that into consideration when making their decisions.

Either way, it's going to take a hell of a lot more than larger side mirrors, raised roof, reverse lights, changed gas cap location, added B-Pillar, trunk lip, and closed up vents (if they end up that way) to change my mind about buying this beautiful monster.

Sorry to , but like I said, I've been busy the past few days and I just wanted to get my $.02 in with the rest of ya.

EDIT: Sorry about the book of a post, but I've got to cram a weeks' worth of posting into my Saturday's now, so you all better get used to it!

[GothamCamaro]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

something to think about:

the roof was raised 14mm and there was a b-pillar added to the inside of the car... the b-pillar was added to reach crash safety standards... the taller roof was added to make room for drivers (and passengers) greater than 6'1" tall... this affects the roofline because now you have to widen the roof at the sides to give adequate room for the b-pillar to fit inside the car and not cut into head room... and you have to slightly elongate the roofline to retain the same overall shape of the Concept and not make the production car look like its too tall or top heavy... combine the two and you've moved the c-pillar out and back just a bit... so the room that you used to have for the super cool billet gas filler cap is now taken up by the quite necessary c-pillar... to put the gas cap on top would have put it almost next to the trunk... and I believe we all learned a lesson with the GTO that taking away from trunk space to put any kind of fuel cell or filler neck in that vicinity is a bad idea... so the only real place you have left is on the side of the fender.

now this may not be the only reason that they moved it... and the reason for it being on the right hand side is probably because of where the car was developed and the other cars that the platform will be shared with... since almost every, if not every, Holden car has the filler neck on the right hand side, I blame that on the choice of sides... but when you combine crash safety standards, augmented roof lines and global car development together, you really do get putting the filler neck on the right hand side fender as a more logical place to put the gas cap.

its not what most of us want, but at least we still get the killer looks of the car... and I think that a flush mount filler cap will make it all that much better

Best logical explanation so far, Silver turtle.
I know there are good reasons for the changes, like everyone else I wanted the exact Concept version but knew changes would happen. Hopefully your possible explanation helps those that are still spinning with the current changes. I don't blame them, they are very passionate.

[munkee drummer]

Ya know what I just love about this site? PASSION absolute for such a historic car. I'm sure we will all love it. Yea it may have points that i may not like but no one has built my perfect car yet. And my perfect is not yours or the next guys. But these will be darn close.

[Pencil.Fight]

^Exactly, the only way to get a complete perfect car is to design and build it yourself.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

something to think about:

the roof was raised 14mm and there was a b-pillar added to the inside of the car... the b-pillar was added to reach crash safety standards... the taller roof was added to make room for drivers (and passengers) greater than 6'1" tall... this affects the roofline because now you have to widen the roof at the sides to give adequate room for the b-pillar to fit inside the car and not cut into head room... and you have to slightly elongate the roofline to retain the same overall shape of the Concept and not make the production car look like its too tall or top heavy... combine the two and you've moved the c-pillar out and back just a bit... so the room that you used to have for the super cool billet gas filler cap is now taken up by the quite necessary c-pillar... to put the gas cap on top would have put it almost next to the trunk... and I believe we all learned a lesson with the GTO that taking away from trunk space to put any kind of fuel cell or filler neck in that vicinity is a bad idea... so the only real place you have left is on the side of the fender.

now this may not be the only reason that they moved it... and the reason for it being on the right hand side is probably because of where the car was developed and the other cars that the platform will be shared with... since almost every, if not every, Holden car has the filler neck on the right hand side, I blame that on the choice of sides... but when you combine crash safety standards, augmented roof lines and global car development together, you really do get putting the filler neck on the right hand side fender as a more logical place to put the gas cap.

its not what most of us want, but at least we still get the killer looks of the car... and I think that a flush mount filler cap will make it all that much better

That's about the BEST explanation I've heard thus far. Excellent post. Makes complete sense.

[Roflmao]

You mean there are actual reasons for the changes? What a concept. I've visited this site and read lots of things before I joined the forum, and there has always been a reason for the things done to the car. I would understand if you all thought there wouldn't be answers, but has anything on the process of the camaro let any of you down so far? I've gotten all the answers I've needed so far, so just be patient and the answers will surface.

I like Turtle's answer too.

Also, if you get rear-ended by a 5mph person, they pay for it with insurance? And if you do it to your own car, you deserve to pay for it yourself, right? Same concept of being careful with your doors at the gas station as not backing up into crap? Just a thought.

[The_Blur]

This is a great pair of photos.

I love the front, but I think I need to see it in person to really take it in. I can't wait for that.

I'm amazed that you guys are so concerned about the fuel door placement. It looks just as good right where it is. Besides, placing the fuel door on top of the trunk panel would have lead to accidentally scratching your paint since it would be harder to reach or dripping gas on your paint which we all know isn't good for your paint.

[Killer CamAro]

Well, how ever many times they change it, its still a camaro and the only reason we are all talking about it, is because its bad @$$ and will still blow the challenger and the mustang out of the water!

[Emher]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I'm amazed that you guys are so concerned about the fuel door placement. It looks just as good right where it is. Besides, placing the fuel door on top of the trunk panel would have lead to accidentally scratching your paint since it would be harder to reach or dripping gas on your paint which we all know isn't good for your paint.

Oh for...as far as I'm getting it me and a lot of other guys here are especially upset not so much about the location, but that: It. Is. A. FUEL DOOR. And. NOT. A. AWESOME. GAS. CAP!

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by Camaro Lives On

IMHO, I really like the way the rear end of the Camaro is coming along, almost better than the concept. That's just IMO tho!

I have to say, so far I like the pre-production model better than the concept.

I like the look of the rear bumper on the pre-pro MUCH better than the featureless flat one of the concept.

About the ONLY thing changed from the concept that I prefer the concept's is the grille. But we've been told there may be multiple grilles.

[stovt001]

The rear bumper I totally understand. The revised shape falls in line with everything I know (which I admit is extremely limited) about rear bumper standards. While I agree with Pencil that it encourages people to rest their feet there, I'll just have to be ready to beat the crap out of anyone who does that.

The gas cap, one thing I ask is considering offering a nicer looking door as an option. I know Mazda offers a satin, race-inspired door as a $100 option and it looks pretty cool. Any chance something like that could be offered? Sculpt it to look sorta like the concept's, and even if it is offered as an option and on the side, I'll consider it a fair compromise. One detail I noticed is that the fuel door we see looks to be a locking model that has the be opened by a button on the inside. I don't know how anyone else feels about this, but I want to thank GM for that detail. My Cobalt has a door that just flips open from the outside, and I'm always worried about the possibility of someone stealing or tampering with my fuel. So thanks GM for at least making it locking.

I am worried about damage to the backup lamps in that location. It really is just asking for them to get damaged in even the slightest parking lot incident. This will make costs a LOT higher for the consumers. I think that might be something that could cause a LOT of headaches for owners and GM.

As far as drivers complaining about walking to the passenger's side to fill up, well that explains why America is so morbidly overweight. It is so depressing to think that people are so lazy that they are concerned what side the gas cap is on.

To the people who live in Oregon and NJ, you really need to get that law overturned. My friend from Oregon didn't know how to pump gas when she moved to California because she had been coddled by that stupid law for her entire life. So the first time she fills up, she drove off with the nozzle still in her car. So because of your state's stupid rule, the rest of the US suffers. We should start a movement to overturn it right now.

[Eisenhower]

They could have thrown them in on either side of the plates and it would still work & look fabulous. But if you back in to a parking space (just to show off the front) and even slightly bang a pole, the shear weight of the car means-- lights out. pardon the pun.

Better reinforce that bumper, boys!

[09'Z28]

Originally Posted by Mungo

The Mazda Miata has a fuel door on the top of the drivers side rear fender and I've never heard of any complaints from their owners

we have a 1990 miata and have no issues with where it's at (especially when you are at the track filling with a can, it catches all of the drip)

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by Eisenhower

They could have thrown them in on either side of the plates and it would still work & look fabulous. But if you back in to a parking space (just to show off the front) and even slightly bang a pole, the shear weight of the car means-- lights out. pardon the pun.

Better reinforce that bumper, boys!

I want to see the prepro with this same angle.