Automotive lighting specifically on the front and rear sides were initially introduced to provide road safety to drivers and pedestrians. Today, when the vehicle headlights and rear lights are digitised, the lighting system is serving as a channel for external interaction and communication. Similarly, Audi’s light technology has evolved in every era into a more aesthetic and communicative dimension.
Lighting technology has revolutionised, as we see the leap from halogen to xenon and then to LED headlights. These advanced technologies not only enhance visibility, but offer more value to end users. Also, the designs are more personalised and offer motorists new styles and options for customisation.
Today, we are going to take a look at the history of Audi lights and how their lighting technology has defined the overall outlook of their models over the passage of time.
EVOLUTION OF AUDI LIGHTS
Audi is one of the pioneers in the automotive industry when it comes to introducing advanced technologies. The history of Audi lights further backs this fact with the evolution of lighting technology in their vehicles in every era. Let’s explore how Audi boosts the automotive headlight types into new facets:
1994- SECOND GENERATION XENON HEADLIGHTS
The Halogen lamps in the automobiles was the first light technology that also defined the look of the vehicles. The Audi model designers took advantage of the free-form headlights and clear lens covers that were introduced in between 1980s and 1990s to style Audi models.
In the year 1994, Audi A8 was launched with second-generation xenon headlights that offered high-quality lighting and better user experience. This integration was one of the development leaps in the history of Audi lights technology. The second-generation of xenon lights offered a range of 4,000 – 6000K on the colour scale that gave the Audi A8 a premium outlook.
2003 – AUDI ADAPTIVE LIGHT COUPLED WITH AUTOMATIC-DYNAMIC HEADLIGHT RANGE CONTROL
In the year 2003 the quality of Audi lights were further enhanced by integrating adaptive light with automatic-dynamic headlight range control. These tiltable modules in the Audi A8 were another development leap to further improve the motorists’ experience.
2004-LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT
Audi in the year 2004 added Daytime running lights (DRLs) in the headlights, coupled for the very first with light-emitting diodes in the Audi A8 W12 model. These diodes are basically semiconductors that can yield high light output and have the ability to change electrical energy to light. The light-emitting diodes function with high efficiency, but consumes low energy.
Moving forward in 2007, as per the history of Audi A4 introduced DRL, labelled as ‘string of pearls,’ in the Audi A4 that appeared as a lighting strip. Besides, the light-emitting diodes are used till date and serve as a foundation for Audi lights technology in the headlamps.
2008 – FULL LED HEADLIGHTS
Audi LED lights were first introduced in the Audi A8 in the year 2008. Following this year Audi models were manufactured with full LED headlights and became standard, except their A1 model.
2010- LED HEADLIGHTS COUPLE WITH ADAPTIVE LIGHT
In the year 2010, according to the Audi A8 history, A8 was launched with LED headlights paired with adaptive light along with a camera installed in the car windshield to sense others on roads. These headlights were also connected to navigation data.
2011 – AUDI REAR LIGHTS FEATURED LED LIGHTS
In the year 2011, as per Audi A6 history, A6 model came with LED rear lights that was another development leap to offer efficient lighting technology. The LED rear light not only offered convenience to motorists but also others on the road. These LED brake lights had an instant response time, which was two tenths of a second faster, as compared to the incandescent lights. Therefore, motorists driving an Audi with LED rear lights were able to react rapidly.
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2012 – TURN SIGNAL + DYNAMIC INDICATION
Audi introduced turn signal technology paired with dynamic indication in the 2012 R8 model. This technology became standard since then. Given the turn signal movements, motorists in following vehicles can easily perceive directional changes even at a distance and especially at night. If you are looking for the R8 model, check these used Audi R8 models for sale in the UAE.
2013 – FULL LED HEADLIGHTS AND MATRIX LED HEADLIGHTS WITH ADAPTIVE HIGH BEAM
The Audi A3 compact class was launched equipped with full LED headlights in the year 2013. Following the same year Matrix LED headlights were added in the Audi A8 integrated with adaptive high beam in the Audi A8 model.
The Matrix LED headlights automatically turn the high-beam off or on, based on the traffic. The high-beam is designed with 25 individual light emitting diodes that could be carefully activated, deactivated and even dimmed. The Audi lights system till date can spot road users accurately through a camera and thus, avoids headlight dazzle while also brightens the road by turning off individual diodes.
Since the technology is navigation-based, given the current driving condition, the lighting technology distributes the light, as per the route data.
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2014 – AUDI LASER LIGHT AS ADDITIONAL HIGH BEAM
Audi decided to add laser lights to elevate the high-beam light performance in the year 2014. Laser came up as an additional high-beam light in the Audi R8 LMX limited edition models.
2016 – OLED REAR LIGHTS
OLED rear lights were first introduced in the Audi TT RS model in the year 2016. This rear light technology featured 12 segments per light. The light-emitting diodes were more precise, as they were made using organic material. The light sources in OLED rear lights were very thin and hence, eliminated the need of reflectors. Also, OLED rear lights were visually impressive, apart from just being efficient.
2017 – HD MATRIX LED HEADLIGHTS
In the year 2017, Audi introduced the HD Matrix LED headlights in the A8 model that also featured an OLED rear lighting system coupled with a laser as an additional high-beam. The Matrix LED headlights were evolved and were replaced by the HD Matrix LED with each headlight featuring 16 small controllable yet variable light emitting diodes to control the multiple rows in the high-beam light. The HD Matrix headlight brightened the road with more precision with better ability to adjust as per the driving situation.
The new lighting system delivered freeway, cornering and urban lighting that also complemented the high-beam light.
Those who wish to experience the HD Matrix LED headlights can choose from these used Audi A8 cars for sale in the UAE.
2019 – DIGITAL MATRIX LED (DML) HEADLIGHTS
Audi digitised the headlights in the year 2019 by introducing Digital Matrix LED headlights in the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback. The e-tron model is Audi’s first electric car featuring advanced Audi lights technology, labelled Digital Matrix LED. This headlight technology comes with a digital micromirror device (DMD) and Audi was the first auto manufacturer to install DMD technology in its car model. DMD technology was first used in automobile’s video projectors.
One of the interesting Audi e-tron facts is that the digital Matrix LED headlights with DMD technology are now offering five different welcoming versions within the range of extended dynamic lighting scenarios. They can appear as projections on a wall or on the ground.
HOW DIGITAL MATRIX LED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS AUDI’S LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES
- The Digital Matrix LED projects light ahead of the car evenly spread like a carpet, especially on expressways. The entire lane brightens up and dynamically spreads when the motorists shift to another lane and hence, ensures traffic safety.
- This headlight technology when combined with an optional Night Vision assist feature helps spot pedestrians near the roadway and notifies the motorists via a precision light cone.
2020- DIGITAL OLED
Audi became the first automobile manufacturer to introduce digital OLED rear lights in their vehicles. The 2020 Audi Q5 was the first model to feature digital OLED rear lights. With this technology, Audi offers its customers the option to choose from different tail light designs. The digital OLED rear lights are connected to the on-board electrical system’s control unit via a bus system. Therefore, this technology brings in more functions along with an array of controllable segments in contrast to the OLED rear lights introduced in 2016.
The digital OLED rear lights have six OLED segments and three panels. It thus offers illumination with infinite variability. Furthermore, Audi added a proximity indication feature in the Q5 rear for the very first time for the traffic coming from behind the vehicle. The proximity indication feature works well with vehicles offering either adaptive cruise control or active lane assist.
Audi plans to further personalise the lighting designs that could offer a more versatile style. The digital OLED will be programmed to notify motorists about the local hazards, for instance slippery roads as well as traffic jams’ end to other road users. Moreover, Audi plans to introduce flexible digital OLED.
Given the features of digital OLED rear lights, if you wish to drive a car with this technology then you can opt to buy a used Audi Q5 in the UAE.
This was all about the evolution of Audi lights over the period of more than 25 years. Audi has transformed the use of headlights and rear lights from just being a safety feature to defining the design and look of Audi models, backed by advanced technology. Audi is consistently making efforts to innovate the function of headlights and rear lights. Therefore, Audi lights are becoming smart with the digitization that not only boosts design, illumination and energy efficiency, but is also capable of communicating with surroundings.
If the facts about Audi and its evolution of lights in a new dimension convinces you to own an Audi model, then you can browse through these used Audi cars for sale in the UAE.
Besides, like other countries car lights are important in the UAE and driving with a damaged headlight is considered a serious offence incurring a fine up to AED 500. Apart from this, if your car’s headlights are having visibility issues, you can adjust the headlights for better visibility or take your car to an auto service centre.
Stay tuned to the popular auto blog of the UAE for more updates on latest automotive technologies, new car launches and a lot more.
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