I'd like to offer up my views on many of the topics you raise. Though - just to clarify: I'm not on the team. I don't work for GM...and I haven't seen the Camaro 'naked'...so take my insight for what it's worth.
m
I'm trusting Scott's word as it's all the
real info we've got. And his word is worth a darn good bit.
So...
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Originally Posted by therealkitt
Forgive me, i'm trying to apply logic to this...but I'm falling short. It would sit easier with me, if were merely a cost thing. I can understand that the ghini is a different car...by class alone. So deducing that they are in different classes, i come to the conclusion (rather assumption) that regulations are different based on class. fair enough...
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Though this may be true (again, I'm not in the Auto industry), I think the real difference comes from chassis, and where things are connected underneath all those gorgeous body panels. The Zeta-chassis is an entirely different bird than the lambo. The piping required for a fender-top gas cap may have required movement of the C-pillar...effecting crash-test ratings...
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Originally Posted by therealkitt
but why is it that the Audi TT or a VW Beetle can have a fuel door located essentially in the same place? i'm guessing that it can't be under totally different regulations, as it would seem to me that they'd be in perhaps even heavier restricted classes vs. the ghini...
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See above
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Originally Posted by therealkitt
Also if the location were truely a safety issue, then why was it even incorporated into the concept at all...was it not perceived that it would be a safety issue? I understand the word concept...but i would think a peice of eye candy like the location of the fuel door, the way it was so enticing, just as all other aspects of the car, that it was included with the intentions of having it look that way.
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The concept was not (we are told) designed with actually building it in mind. I'm sure the hope was there, but it was more to guage the response to a ressurection of the car. Obviously, it was a resounding 'Yes'. And so the duty then became to try and keep that overwhelmingly well-recieved design as intact as possible for production. Changes had to be made, as we are seeing. Almost all for regulation purposes...the rest for cost and practicality. (billet shifters, and real gold bowties cost a lot.
)
Also, it may have been worth it to note that the concept was built off of a heavily modified Cadillac chassis....
And Scott would have to chime in here, as I've never been close enough to really tell...but I would imagine that the functional gas cap on the concept was in the trunk with all the rest of the 'not-pretty' stuff. (could you imagine spilling gas on that paintjob?!?!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therealkitt
maybe i'm reading into it too much... maybe its because of where the gas tank is located in comparison to all the other cars mentioned...or all the other parts are located that makes it a real safety issue... i'm just reaching for clarification. this is not a rant by any means.... so please don't take it that way. i'm just trying to compute!  |
I won't try and sway your opinions as to whether you're reading into it too much or not - I'm just presenting facts. But the internet has allowed us to watch the concept to production process more closely than ever before...it really is astounding. And with this newfound 'sight' come just as many negative consequences as good ones - for some, the idea that Pre-production test vehicles are *not meant to be seen* hasn't sunk in...and so judgments are made, tempers flare - and situations become ugly fast. On the other hand - witnessing these subtle changes allows us to digest them all easier, instead of swallowing the whole thing at once and ending with a 'wtf?'.
No change that I've seen made has come of as design-altering to me...I honestly believe that if you put the concept and the production car together(as it is so often said), the
average buyer would have quite a time trying to point out all the differences quickly as
we all could. After all. We ARE enthusiasts!
And please, ask all the questions you'd like - that why we're here!!
