Audi made its first mark in automotive lighting technology in 2008 by introducing all-LED headlamps in R8 super-car. Audi then developed dynamic turn signals in 2012. A8 got an update in 2013 with all-new Matrix LED headlights and now R8 LMX is set to light the roads with a fusion of laser & LED light rays for high beam and LED alone for low beam.
This laser beam emanates from a laser module in each headlamp assembly as a cone of light. The range of this laser high beam extends twice as all-LED headlight. Colour temperature of this beam is 5,500 Kelvin, producing best lighting for human eye to read objects and contrast anywhere. The laser spot gets activated beyond 60 kmph (37.3 mph) to augment driver’s vision for better safety, also a sensor system based on camera identifies other vehicles on road and actively manipulates the laser stream to exclude them.
The Audi R8 LMX is made of Audi Space Frame (ASF) aluminium body that houses its 5.2 litre V10 engine at mid section. Power plant is capable of unleashing 570 hp max. power and 540 Nm peak torque. Seven speed S-tronic transmission spins all wheels to push the R8 from 0 to 100 kmph (62.1 mph) in whooping 3.4 seconds, all the way up to 320 kmph (198.8 mph). On average, it drinks 12.9 litres of fuel per 100 km or about 7.75 kmpl.
This compound headlight will also be wired in the new Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro, when it competes in 24 Hours of Le Mans on 14-15th June. “Audi has long dominated the most important 24-hour race. In addition to the outstanding TDI drive technology, a maximum light yield gives our pilots a major advantage, and with night racing in particular is a key factor to our success,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg. “The transfer of the laser headlight to the Audi R8 LMX underscores our leading position in lighting technology. The safety benefit this provides to the customer truly represents Vorsprung durch Technik,” says AUDI AG’s Board Member for Development.
