Design Details: Side Reflectors Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 07/30/2015 at 20:02 • Filed to: Design Details, Chevy, Acura, Corvette, TL, reflectors

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Time for another round of design details... As you probably know if you live in the United States of Freedom, we require a little something on our cars that for some reason Europe doesn’t (despite being full of all sorts of other regs...): Side reflectors! You know, those little orange and red shiny strips that are sometimes hidden in the headlights/taillights but otherwise just plastered on randomly (usually in European cars though some American cars weirdly have this issue as well...) However, some automakers have shown that there is an elegant way around this problem:

Ok, stick with me in this explanation. See those wonderful circles I made in five minutes on MS Paint? That should clear things up a bit. This is a good example. Front reflectors nicely in headlight cluster, and rear reflector nicely following body line. Also, notice that the side indicator is also evident in cars such as the Z4 and others, so don’t come running and say that the Z4’s Bimmerang is suddenly a reflector...

Let’s reflect on this C6 ‘Vette. I are disappoint, Chevy. For a regulation born in your home country, you certainly seemed to ignore it until the last minute (but isn’t that the GM way?) Two bright pieces of plastic on either side, with no real relation to body lines or curves (ok, maybe a weak one, but bear with me...) Also, no side indicator because USDM, but that’s not today’s focus...

So, what’s your opinion?

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

and

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Discuss in comments below.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 20:11

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New Fusion’s are pretty well integrated. They just pulled the lights around more to house them.

I can’t think of a really bad one off the top of my head, though.

Rainbow > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 20:28

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BMW did it way wrong.

Alex from Toronto > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 20:31

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I thin the new Impala incorporates the reflectors quite nicely.

Tohru > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 20:42

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The G35 did it wrong.

The 350Z did it more wrong.

... unless you got the orange one.

Amoore100 > Tohru 07/30/2015 at 20:52

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True, although I can’t really imagine the 350Z without those vertical slats on the bumper, so I think they are a necessary styling gimmick...

AM3R shamefully returns > Rainbow 07/30/2015 at 20:52

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Always the first mod for most owners.. Fortunately my E90 didn't have those. Instead I got the ugly Amber cornered headlights.

Amoore100 > Alex from Toronto 07/30/2015 at 20:52

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Nice and inobvious in the light clusters. This is the new GM (we hope...)

Amoore100 > Rainbow 07/30/2015 at 20:54

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Not too bad...some might argue that the curve helps, though it’s just as painful as on the new Chrysler 200...and on both the front and rear as well!

Amoore100 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/30/2015 at 20:54

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Yep, Fusion takes the same idea as the TL it seems...

Tohru > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 20:59

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Are they?

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 21:01

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AM > Alex from Toronto 07/30/2015 at 21:30

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The Impala is a seriously sexy car. If only it was RWD/AWD instead of FWD. A turbo 6 or NA V8 would be a nice option to.

Alex from Toronto > AM 07/30/2015 at 21:40

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The turbo 6 with awd would be perfect.

AM > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 21:49

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Best: ‘15 Ford F150

Worst: W221 S-Class

AM > Alex from Toronto 07/30/2015 at 21:52

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Yeah it would be great. Impala doesn’t need a ton of power since it’s meant to be a highway cruiser.

Amoore100 > Tohru 07/30/2015 at 22:10

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Point well taken. (Side note: did you just PS that in a few minutes? It’s the same picture as above...)

Amoore100 > traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn 07/30/2015 at 22:14

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This was in my head when I made this post...

Tohru > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 22:35

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Yes, yes I did.

More Power!!and also some brakes. > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 22:45

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Heh, what are front reflectors?

hike > Amoore100 07/30/2015 at 23:02

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Wrangler is a great example. Front looks cheaply tacked on, while the rear are so well integrated

Oddly enough, the Renegade follows the same exact theme,

Amoore100 > hike 07/31/2015 at 01:06

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Right, this came to mind when I saw a Wrangler as well...

Cé hé sin > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/31/2015 at 05:25

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Spot the difference!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn 07/31/2015 at 16:17

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That is VERY well done, continuing the line from behind the wheel.

like

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > hike 07/31/2015 at 16:21

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It fits well on a Wrangler though. It’s looks are all “rough and ready”. Just look at the taillights

pjhusa > AM 08/06/2015 at 22:08

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Where are the F150 indicators??? I can't see them!!!

AM > pjhusa 08/06/2015 at 22:38

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They’re very well placed!! They're small little squares to so they don't stand out.