Those dender flares are ok in my book! Esp. if it allows for a meatier wheel and tire combo. The recent 4th Gen Penske Camaro looked awesome, largely 'cuz of the use of flares and bulges.

 

The presence of those plastic flares on the early mules does not necessarily mean that they will be on the production version. Some of you seem to be envisioning the '96 Grand Sport style flares (necessary to cover the wider rubber; I believe there is a rule - federal, or perhaps present in some states like MI - that tires cannot stick out wider than the bodywork). The ZR1 got specific, wider rear quarter panels to cover the wider tires out back; the Grand Sport used regular C4 quarters and used flares to achieve the width. So there is precedent for both options. Keep in mind that the new Z06 is going to be a bigger departure from the base car than the current Z06 is from the base C5. That's all I'm saying.

EDIT: Just looked at the pic, and it is hard to tell ( ) in the pic if it is a specific rear fender or a plastic flare. When you guys were typing "fender flares", I took that to mean a plastic extension (like on the ZR2 S10 or Corvette Grand Sport, for example). Apparently, at least some of you meant flares in the actual bodywork, like the V8 Audi A6 vs. the regular A6. Which, of course, would be analogous to the ZR1's specific rear bodywork option, not the Grand Sport's plastic extension option.

 

All very true.

But, if we are to assume that the "Z06" will have meatier tires in at least the rear, that would require some sort of 'flare' or wider body work.

Something has to give.

With so much talk of the "Z06" being visually distinguishable from the base car, I wouldn't be surprised if it were actual different panels instead of flares. (ie. The "flares" could be molded into the different panels if they liked the look rather than tacking them onto the standard body panels.)

 

Yeah, read my edit. You were typing your response as I was typing my edit. I certainly agree (and was never implying otherwise) that it will have something to cover the wider tires. I just meant it didn't have to be plastic "flares", which is what I was picturing at first without seeing the pic (I didn't click the link, because you said I might need to register, and because I already know what the Z06's answer is ).

 

That would be sweet if the new Z06 had flares. I love the looks of fender flares. Gives the car a more aggressive look. And whats up with the rear? Seems they made some changes to the shape of the rear end as well. It seems to bulge a little.

I agree totally. I loved the look of that car! Wish there was a way you could get a set of those body panels.

 

Ideally, purpose-built race cars DON'T HAVE FLARES.
http://speed.supercars.net/boardpics...49153-CSLc.jpg

The Z06 should have a body that aerodynamically covers whatever front and rear tires they stuff underneath. Added on flares (whether tacked on or blended in) spoil the aero and look CHEAP and UGLY. Do I detect rice tendencies on the board?!

 

How would they be "ricey"?

They'd have a function... keeping the tires covered up.

 

Riiiight....

If the flares are functional in that they allow the use of more aggressive meats then it's hardly 'rice'. I agree about crappy aftermarket tacked on flares but if these are quality OEM molded one piece panels that differ from the rgeular prodn. article, then I see no problem.

 

I dont think he's looked at the CTSv race car ever

 

I have seen the CTSv race car, I guess it's no uglier than the roadgoing CTSv (which is pretty foul-looking, all tall and slab-sided and angular, BLEH!).

It is preferable from a pure performance standpoint to cover the tires with basic shape of the bodywork, NOT with flares. The Z06 should reflect this, IMO, a la C5-R. Race car builders use flares only if they aren't allowed to change the shape of the body to bring the fenders out to cover the tires.

Flares (the kind we're talking about) hurt aero and look CHEEZEE. Again, one of the things I LOVE about the 4th gen's styling is that it's CLEAN. Smooth and sculpted rather than blocky with busy styling gimmickery.

 

Well, you seem to be in the minority on both counts. The CTS seems to be selling like hot cakes, and the 4th gens didnt. I understand its not your style, but IMO slight fender flares give the car a much more agressive and powerful look.

 

No doubt about it, I'm in the minority! Given the apparent tastes of the MAJORITY, I'm glad of it. Gimmicky styling usually gets by on its novelty for a few years (TT, New Beetle, etc.). I love the 4th gens precisely because the styling ISN'T gimmicky (OK, maybe the mirror farings on the Camaro are), just nice and shapely.
Flares are not my "style" because they aren't good for looks or ultimate performance. Baubles festooned onto cars purely for a "much more aggressive and powerful LOOK " don't appeal to me.

But I'm not a typical F-body owner

 

Flares = Aggressive musclecar look. To me they belong on the Camaro and could make the Corvette look better also. 4th's would have benefitted from them too. Want smooth and clean? Buy something else that isn't an intended muscle/sportscar.

 

Musclecars and Pony cars by and large didn't have fender flares. Pure sports cars (360 Modena, Porsche GT, Lotus Elise, Acura NSX) typically don't have flares either, because the body shapes were correctly designed to cover the tires.

To me it's pathetic to have to resort to tacked on shapes to make a car look "aggressive". Just like a big snake decal on the Mustang II "King Cobra" and the tacked on spoilers on mid-late 70s Corvettes. A pure performance car shouldn't have flares just to please the kiddies

 

M3, G8 concept, Sunoco Camaro concept, and the Holden coupe 4 all look good to me with flared fenders.

That CTSv prototype looked sweet too.