[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by 90503

...So what's the difference in styling between re-freshed, evolved, revolutionary, new generation, etc....?

I think maybe the idea that the 6thGen is all new in all areas, that the styling could have been more than evolved...If it isn't or can't be revolutionary on a new platform, then when?

Refresh:

Generally 2 types, major and minor. A minor refresh is purely cosmetic and typically limited to changing the front & rear fascias while keeping all the sheet metal the same. The 2014 Camaro is an example of this. Major refreshes will usually include new sheet metal, a new interior, and possibly new engines. But underlying structural bits, plus suspension geometry and other fundamentals are kept the same. Occasionally, the line between a major refresh and a new generation gets quite blurry.

Evolved/evolutionary:

A design that has a clear connection to a previous design, but the bodywork and details are all new. The Porsche 911 has always been evolutionary with each new generation.

Revolutionary:

Complete stylistic departure from the model that preceded it, often only sharing general similarities such as seating layout and drive configuration. The 2014 Impala was revolutionary compared to the 2 or 3 previous generations.

New Generation:

Complete overhaul of all (or nearly all) components of a vehicle. The basic underlying structure is substantially modified or all new compared to the previous model. Requires complete retooling of the assembly line, possibly including the line moving to a different assembly plant. It can have either evolutionary or revolutionary styling -that is entirely up to the designers. The 6th generation Camaro is a new generation

It also bears mentioning that the 5th gen's styling came from the question of 'what if the 1st gen had continued to evolve for 40 years?'. Arguably, that makes it an evolutionary design despite being a complete departure from the previous generation. And I remember that there were a lot of complaints from 2007/2008 from people saying that it didn't look enough like the 1st gen, that it was too much of a departure (that was on top of the people that complained it didn't look enough like the concept).