Will The 2019 Camaro Headlights Go Full-LED?
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It’s all but confirmed that the upcoming Camaro update will bring about a revised design for the front and rear facias, and the latest spy shots have us wondering whether the 2019 Camaro headlights will be updated to be full LED.
The latest spy shots of the 2019 Camaro refresh appear to show different headlights from those on the current vehicle, thought the camouflage makes it quite difficult to see exactly what’s going on with the headlight cluster (kudos to GM’s camo masters).
Specifically, the 2019 Camaro tester appears to be missing the LED accent bars below the primary headlamp unit. On the current 2016-2018 Camaros, these lights are either vertical (on LS/LT models) or horizontal (on SS models); the Camaro ZL1 featuring vertical LED accent lights, but in a different configuration compared to the LS/LT trims. It’s worth noting that the lights might actually be present, but be covered by the tester’s heavy camouflage on the front end.
More importantly, the primary headlamp cluster in the spy shots appears to have a different design compared to current models, with what looks like LED elements on the exterior (outside) of the headlamp cluster. That, specifically, is what makes us wonder whether what we’re seeing in the tester model is a headlight cluster that’s full LED, or whether it’s a revision to the HID setup of the 2016-2018 models.
Replacing High Intensity Discharge (HID) or Xenon headlights with full-LED units is one of the latest trends in the automotive industry. Full-LED headlamps deliver several advantages over HID/Xenon lights, including brighter and more even light delivery, as well as the ability to more effective change lighting direction dynamically (vertically or horizontally) based on surroundings. LED lights also deliver a design opportunity by giving a vehicle’s front end a more advanced and technical appearance. Several new GM vehicles have adopted full LED lights, including the Cadillac CT6, 2018 Buick Regal family, along with the 2019 Silverado and 2019 Sierra. However, full LED lights can prove to be costly, which might prevent them from landing in the Camaro.
We’ll see whether the 2019 Camaro gets the full LED headlight treatment soon, as the vehicle is expected to be revealed at or in the vicinity of the 2018 New York Auto Show.
About 2019 Camaro
The 2019 Camaro will represent the fourth model year of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Outside of re-arranged trim levels, equipment, features and associated pricing structures, the sports car will feature new front and rear facias – as shown by the camouflage on the front and rear ends of prototype models. Other updates are also possible, including changes to the interior and powertrain (in the form of new engines and transmissions), along with the introduction of a Z/28 model.
We expect Chevy to reveal the 2019 Camaro in the March-April 2018 timeframe, either at or in the vicinity of the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
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It’s too early to say what the heck we’re looking at, but judging by the camo the refresh could be controversial.
If I was a betting man, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Camaro adopts headlights similar to those found on the new Silverado. I expect the Malibu to do the same. (I’m not talking the so-called stacked headlight layout–just the headlights).
However, a close look at the photos makes me wonder if they’re not going for some sort of ’80s IROC or early Gen 4 look with a blacked out surround.
Yes most above entry level models will see upgrades in refreshes and replaments.
Still wont sale. Needs to be cheaper, LEDs will only increase the price even more over the current model price. GM is to focused on making the cars fit a certain platform instead of letting design lead. They’re letting the engineers dictate design, itll always fail.
The point of restructuring trim levels will address what you’re talking about, resulting in:
1. A decrease in the base price, or
2. An increase of content and features at current prices.
I expect the former, rather then the latter.
Also, the LEDs – if they do come – will likely be reserved for 2LT/3LT and 2SS models, which have enough margin in them to allow for the inteixfion of LEDs without raising the price or hurting the profit margin per unit.
Also, I have no clue how you arrived at thinking this…
“GM is to focused on making the cars fit a certain platform instead of letting design lead. They’re letting the engineers dictate design, itll always fail.”
There is zero evidence of that. The design and engineering teams work really well together, especially on the gen six Camaro.
Zero evidence? The only reason the Camaro was moved to US production was because it was designed to fit the Alpha platform and could be built on the same line as the ATS and other small RWD platforms. GM has made it very clear they only want 4 core platforms by 2024 or what ever the year is. This means the cars must fit these 4 platforms. Which means platform engineering comes first, not esthetics or design. The Camaro is the first of this disaster to come
You are making up a problem where no problem actually exists. You’re also creating a fictitious scenario that didn’t actually take place.
There are two different ways one can look at this:
1. The gen six Camaro was designed to fit the Alpha platform, or
2. The Alpha platform was designed to fit the gen six Camaro.
Reality is the second choice, not the first.
The gen six Camaro was not “designed to fit the Alpha platform” but rather “designed on the Alpha platform”. Instead, the architecture plan for Alpha was developed with the possibility that it will underpin the next Camaro, and actually a few more cars. Hence the platform is actually quite flexible for passenger vehicles (as opposed to crossovers, which is a totally different story).
The end result is an amazing, high-tech, property-balanced and highly flexible platform, which makes possible exceptional driving dynamics, the latest technologies and safety performance, while supporting all kinds of designs in and out.
Now on to the topic of design: the styling of the gen six Camaro was based significantly on the fifth gen, since that model was a runaway success due to two primary factors:
1. Styling
2. Pricing
So the logical decision was made to keep the overall design theme of the fifth gen, while improving on it and refining it. That’s exactly what was done.
So I’m not sure what you see as the problem here. The Alpha platform is great and delivers world class driving dynamics, the best of any Camaro or any GM vehicle (short of corvette and CT6), and better than most cars one would call “sports cars”, “super cars” or “luxury cars” from other automakers. The gen six improves on the last gen in every way… except that it costs more, which is what’s hurting sales volume in the entry level of the space… which will be addressed with the refresh.
So if you’re suggesting that Alpha is somewhow not flexible enough to facilitate a certain kind of design, then I’ll tell you right now that you’re way off… just look at the ATS line and CTS… the designs of both are completely different from the Camaro. No one would even suspect that they share a platform. That’s even the case for the limited visibility of the model… which is not the case for the ATS or CTS.
They simply elected to keep gen six styling close to the gen five… for obvious reasons. Sure looks like a case of design taking priority over “function”.
I am absolutely glad that this American muscle car icon is made in the the U.S.A. i applaud GM for having the sense to support America jobs, communities, and the economy as a whole.
Actually the 5th gen was dominated by design. It was a show car that when sent to production the Camaro team was tasked to keep it as close to the show car as possible.
This lead to vision complaints and even interior ergonomic issues they could not correct.
The sixth gen was a better balance but still design got more say on the car and the engineers tried their best to make it all work.
Engineering is tasked at making things work, thats what engineering does. Lutz was big on this, he didn’t allow excuses from engineering. Design came first. (Car guys vs bean counters, Lutz book) Design sells cars. Listen guys, im a GM fanboy, im even a GM employee. 15 years now. I know the history, ive read the books, ive done the research. I dont want them to fail but more than ever lawyers, accountants and “bean counters” run the show. Hopefully it won’t be the demise of a great company
What evidence do you have that engineering somehow held back or otherwise altered the design process of the sixth gen Camaro?
I’m an ex GM employee, having most recently worked in the GCCX that develops and implements technologies for most GM vehicles around the world. There have never been any talks of the scenario you are describing or insinuating…
Scott3…Correct. I believe it was Lutz who insisted that the production version of the 5th gen. Camaro resemble the prototype as closely as possible.
Accountants and bean counters. I thought a bean counter was an accountant. What is a bean counter?
I think bean counters make the accountants’ coffee… or at least fetch it for them 🙂
The Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord have standard LED headlights on every model. The Corolla has had LED headlights since MY2014. If the Corolla can have them, surely they’re not THAT much of a cost issue.
GM has been allergic to using LEDs. Only a few models have full LED’s as standard equipment, and only a few more have the option. Cars like the Mustang and Challenger have LED tail lights and running lights standard on every trim. The same ones on the base models are the same ones you get on the top trips. The Camaro only has those vertical strips, unless you buy an SS or opt for the RS package. This story can be told time and time again looking at other GM models. The result, along with things like cheap looking base wheel options, make GM base models look substantially cheaper than comparable vehicles from other manufacturers. They’ve been improving, but very slowly.
Agreed. It would be nice if GM got rid of the halogen headlights on the lower trim model (non RS) Camaros. And offer another design option than the current cheap looking 18″ wheels.
The optimal solution is to make HIDs standard on all models, and give the RS package models the full LED treatment.
This way, you upgrade the core models and the optional models.
This is sooo exciting!
I agree with Reggie. we can not say anything without full information and as we know people always demand new technology and provider do so. so it is possible to see a change in it in future.LED is in so trend because it makes the design so elegant and it is reliable and robust. 🙂
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Wow its so exciting and it is a new way to improve technology.
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