Did the 2014 Refresh Hurt the 6th Gen's Uniqueness?

RenegadeXR · 01-02-2016, 09:18 AM

Just curious about your opinions. There are a number of instances on these forums, some even pretty recent, where people have claimed to see a 6th gen in the wild only to be corrected that it's really a post-2014-refresh 5th gen. It was said at one point that the 2014 refresh actually aimed to bridge the 5th and 6th generations together by giving an early look at some of the anticipated design changes, but did this ultimately hurt the new Camaro? Does the 2016 model year stand out enough from the crowd? When you see a Camaro whizzing by with a narrow grill opening, LED headlamps, and 3-section lower fascia, can you immediately tell that it's a refreshed 5th gen versus a 6th gen?

cartem2 · 01-02-2016, 10:00 AM

I can tell in an instant, but will the average joe be able to tell when just passing down the road, probably not as well as most of us here. When they see it standing still tho they know for sure, people are asking me all the time "What kind of car is that?" they can tell its not a 5th gen Camaro even if they don't know what 5th gen means.

LesserO2Evils · 01-02-2016, 10:05 AM

I wholeheartedly agree with this. It did take a lot of the "wow" away from the 6th Gen. Ive put 500mi on my car. Yesterday was the 1st time anyone said a word about being "the new 16 Camaro".

pinoyscorpion951 · 01-02-2016, 10:12 AM

I've actually got a lot of people asking me what kind of car I'm driving. Happened during christmas eve when I was doing some last minute shopping. I was in the parking lot of a local mall here (Victoria Gardens) and must have had 4 people ask me. A few days ago, I went to Pep Boys to pick up a can of plastidip and as I passed by the service bay to park my car, all the servicemen literally stopped what they were doing and ran out to look at the car. The worst one though was when I had someone tell me I had a nice MUSTANG. I wanted to punch them in the nose right then and there.

RenegadeXR · 01-02-2016, 10:25 AM

Now that a few people have chimed in, here's my take: In motion, I would confuse a 2014/2015 with a 2016 very easily, but I could probably make the mental distinction after a second or two of processing. I feel like the 2016's face has too many characteristics in common with the refresh, making the high-level "profile" of the face very similar. As mentioned in the OP:

- LED headlights (when on and especially at night, the details could get blurred)
- Narrow grill opening
- 3 section lower fascia (that is, 3 distinct areas that are not body color)

At a very quick glance, since both models share the above attributes, I would get confused. I've seen the 2016 in person, and it did take me a couple seconds to identify it. When I see an older 5th gen, the much taller grill opening makes it instantly identifiable by comparison.

moonrider · 01-02-2016, 10:28 AM

I think the average person will think that it's just an old Camaro. If someone has to ask what kind of car it is then they have no clue about cars at all. I told a coworker that I was getting a Camaro and he said that he never heard of that.
I thought it was strange but he's from Japan.

ChocoTaco369 · 01-02-2016, 10:39 AM

When the 6th Gen was originally revealed, I wasn't a huge fan of the car. However, it has really grown on me. I'm really starting to like it, especially as it is getting released with different wheels and stripe kits. The front end looks great, and the rear is an improvement over the 2014/2015 models in my opinion.

I still don't like the 2014/2015 models. They look so plastic and cheap by comparison. The front end's most appealing feature were the halo headlights in my opinion, and the shrunk it down. Then, they cut a hole in the hood and put the world's cheapest looking plastic insert. The rear is the worst of all though with the Chevy Volt tail lights. Bah. Different strokes for different folks, so that's why I bought a 2013. Looks are highly subjective. I think the 2016 was a step up over the 2014/2015 models, but I still love my 2010-2013 body style. I think the 2010-2013 cars will "age better" than the 2014-2015 and 2016+ because they're a little more classic looking and smoother.

bond2 · 01-02-2016, 10:55 AM

I think they looked at sales and said this design sells, lets keep the same design language but further modernize it. When I parked my 2010 next to my 2016 thats when I was really able to visualize how much more striking the 6th gen is. For those that haven't seen one up close in person, you really need to. They really are stunning.

*DGthe3* · 01-02-2016, 10:56 AM

No, its not a problem. If the 2016 was a radical departure from the 5th gen it would still have the problem of people not recognizing it as the new Camaro because its now completely unfamiliar & the majority of people don't follow cars that much. Anyone that pays a lot of attention to Camaros would know, but they're the ones that know the difference between a 2015 and a 2016 anyways.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-02-2016, 11:01 AM

I saw a 6th gen on the highway for the first time the other day and could immediately tell. The 6th gen simply looks more modern with all the surface detailing in the body.

Ragnar · 01-02-2016, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinoyscorpion951

I've actually got a lot of people asking me what kind of car I'm driving. Happened during christmas eve when I was doing some last minute shopping. I was in the parking lot of a local mall here (Victoria Gardens) and must have had 4 people ask me. A few days ago, I went to Pep Boys to pick up a can of plastidip and as I passed by the service bay to park my car, all the servicemen literally stopped what they were doing and ran out to look at the car. The worst one though was when I had someone tell me I had a nice MUSTANG. I wanted to punch them in the nose right then and there.

The first couple of times someone told me that I had a nice Mustang, I had the same reaction as you. Now when it happens, I tell them thank you, I wish it was as fast as the Camaro!

paul84043 · 01-02-2016, 12:55 PM

I've actually heard more people mix the gen 6 up with the new mustang more than the 14-15 gen 5 Camaro.

Omar1 · 01-02-2016, 11:42 PM

I think enthusiasts such as ourselves can tell right away. But the average joe might think it's just the same Camaro as before.

ParkerAS · 01-02-2016, 11:57 PM

As some have said, as enthusiasts, we can tell. We are blown out of the water. We are well informed. We know how awesome this car is over Gen 5. We are not the main buyers of the Camaro. We are a small portion of it actually. The average purchaser (v6/I4), will see very little difference in the iterations. Obviously sales numbers will be the evidence if the mid gen refresh harmed it or not, that's not my place to determine. But drive passed a lot, and you will see this car lined up right next to the 2015s and it looks like just another trim.

View Poll Results: Did the 2014 refresh hurt the ability for 2016 to stand out from the crowd?
Yes	57	38.51%
No	91	61.49%
Voters: 148. You may not vote on this poll

01-02-2016, 09:18 AM	#1
RenegadeXR Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,850	Did the 2014 Refresh Hurt the 6th Gen's Uniqueness? Just curious about your opinions. There are a number of instances on these forums, some even pretty recent, where people have claimed to see a 6th gen in the wild only to be corrected that it's really a post-2014-refresh 5th gen. It was said at one point that the 2014 refresh actually aimed to bridge the 5th and 6th generations together by giving an early look at some of the anticipated design changes, but did this ultimately hurt the new Camaro? Does the 2016 model year stand out enough from the crowd? When you see a Camaro whizzing by with a narrow grill opening, LED headlamps, and 3-section lower fascia, can you immediately tell that it's a refreshed 5th gen versus a 6th gen?

01-02-2016, 10:00 AM	#2
cartem2 Drives: Nightfall Gray 2LT RS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 638 View My Garage	I can tell in an instant, but will the average joe be able to tell when just passing down the road, probably not as well as most of us here. When they see it standing still tho they know for sure, people are asking me all the time "What kind of car is that?" they can tell its not a 5th gen Camaro even if they don't know what 5th gen means. __________________ My Build Journal, Review, and Photos: Here

01-02-2016, 10:05 AM	#3
LesserO2Evils GM repeat offender... Drives: 16 2SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grandview, Texas Posts: 1,474	I wholeheartedly agree with this. It did take a lot of the "wow" away from the 6th Gen. Ive put 500mi on my car. Yesterday was the 1st time anyone said a word about being "the new 16 Camaro". __________________ '16 2SS, Summit White. A8. MRC. NPP. Ordered:09/03/15. Received 12/22/15 INCOMING: ‘22 ZL1, Satin Steel. A10. PDR. Ordered: 03/02/22.

01-02-2016, 10:25 AM	#5
RenegadeXR Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,850	Now that a few people have chimed in, here's my take: In motion, I would confuse a 2014/2015 with a 2016 very easily, but I could probably make the mental distinction after a second or two of processing. I feel like the 2016's face has too many characteristics in common with the refresh, making the high-level "profile" of the face very similar. As mentioned in the OP: - LED headlights (when on and especially at night, the details could get blurred) - Narrow grill opening - 3 section lower fascia (that is, 3 distinct areas that are not body color) At a very quick glance, since both models share the above attributes, I would get confused. I've seen the 2016 in person, and it did take me a couple seconds to identify it. When I see an older 5th gen, the much taller grill opening makes it instantly identifiable by comparison. Last edited by RenegadeXR; 01-02-2016 at 10:36 AM.

01-02-2016, 10:12 AM	#4
pinoyscorpion951 Drives: 2016 Bright Yellow 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California Posts: 610	I've actually got a lot of people asking me what kind of car I'm driving. Happened during christmas eve when I was doing some last minute shopping. I was in the parking lot of a local mall here (Victoria Gardens) and must have had 4 people ask me. A few days ago, I went to Pep Boys to pick up a can of plastidip and as I passed by the service bay to park my car, all the servicemen literally stopped what they were doing and ran out to look at the car. The worst one though was when I had someone tell me I had a nice MUSTANG. I wanted to punch them in the nose right then and there.

01-02-2016, 10:28 AM	#6
moonrider Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Moon Township, PA Posts: 474	I think the average person will think that it's just an old Camaro. If someone has to ask what kind of car it is then they have no clue about cars at all. I told a coworker that I was getting a Camaro and he said that he never heard of that. I thought it was strange but he's from Japan.

01-02-2016, 10:39 AM	#7
ChocoTaco369 145lb Powerlifter Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Conshohocken, PA Posts: 1,146	When the 6th Gen was originally revealed, I wasn't a huge fan of the car. However, it has really grown on me. I'm really starting to like it, especially as it is getting released with different wheels and stripe kits. The front end looks great, and the rear is an improvement over the 2014/2015 models in my opinion. I still don't like the 2014/2015 models. They look so plastic and cheap by comparison. The front end's most appealing feature were the halo headlights in my opinion, and the shrunk it down. Then, they cut a hole in the hood and put the world's cheapest looking plastic insert. The rear is the worst of all though with the Chevy Volt tail lights. Bah. Different strokes for different folks, so that's why I bought a 2013. Looks are highly subjective. I think the 2016 was a step up over the 2014/2015 models, but I still love my 2010-2013 body style. I think the 2010-2013 cars will "age better" than the 2014-2015 and 2016+ because they're a little more classic looking and smoother. __________________

01-02-2016, 10:55 AM	#8
bond2 Drives: '16 2SS M6,'96 WS6 M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 182	I think they looked at sales and said this design sells, lets keep the same design language but further modernize it. When I parked my 2010 next to my 2016 thats when I was really able to visualize how much more striking the 6th gen is. For those that haven't seen one up close in person, you really need to. They really are stunning. __________________ '16 NFG 2SS M6,SW NPP compatible axel back, black center stripe, black non-split rims '96 Black WS6 TA - M6, Pro 5.0, Baer Track kit, Corsa Cat-back, Bilstein shocks '99 30th anniv TA vert #988- M6

01-02-2016, 10:56 AM	#9
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	No, its not a problem. If the 2016 was a radical departure from the 5th gen it would still have the problem of people not recognizing it as the new Camaro because its now completely unfamiliar & the majority of people don't follow cars that much. Anyone that pays a lot of attention to Camaros would know, but they're the ones that know the difference between a 2015 and a 2016 anyways. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

01-02-2016, 11:01 AM	#10
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	I saw a 6th gen on the highway for the first time the other day and could immediately tell. The 6th gen simply looks more modern with all the surface detailing in the body. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

01-02-2016, 12:55 PM	#12
paul84043 Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lehi, Utah Posts: 1,349 View My Garage	I've actually heard more people mix the gen 6 up with the new mustang more than the 14-15 gen 5 Camaro.

01-02-2016, 11:42 PM	#13
Omar1 Drives: 2016 2SS Red Hot Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Greater Los Angeles Posts: 180	I think enthusiasts such as ourselves can tell right away. But the average joe might think it's just the same Camaro as before. __________________ 2SS Red Hot 6 Speed, NPP, MRC, 5 sploke black low-gloss, glow-tie

01-02-2016, 11:57 PM	#14
ParkerAS Drives: 2016 Summit White 2SS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Arkansas Posts: 457	As some have said, as enthusiasts, we can tell. We are blown out of the water. We are well informed. We know how awesome this car is over Gen 5. We are not the main buyers of the Camaro. We are a small portion of it actually. The average purchaser (v6/I4), will see very little difference in the iterations. Obviously sales numbers will be the evidence if the mid gen refresh harmed it or not, that's not my place to determine. But drive passed a lot, and you will see this car lined up right next to the 2015s and it looks like just another trim.

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