Audi A8 facelift by the end of the year; Matrix LED headlights to be part of standard equipment

The facelifted Audi A8 is scheduled to be launched later this year. The flagship vehicle from the German automaker is expected to mainly get minor cosmetic changes both inside and outside and is likely to be an interim model before an all-new car comes out in 2015. The newest addition this car will be special matrix LED headlights that activate, deactivated and dimmed as per the situation. 

The matrix LED lights basically comprise 25 high beam LEDs (five per reflector) across both headlights. The system gets activated when the headlights are in automatic mode with the high beam on and the vehicle crosses 30kmph on the highways and 60kmph in the city. Basically, when the front camera detects an oncoming vehicle it dims the LEDs focused on the vehicle but continues to illuminate all the areas around the dimmed section. However, this does not affect the illuminated areas that the driver sees. The technology also removes the need for a pivoting mechanism as it uses the GPS system to determine the route and focus the LEDs accordingly.

When coupled with the German automaker’s optional night vision system, the matrix LED headlights can detect pedestrians and flashes individual LEDs thrice in rapid succession to get the attention of the driver and the pedestrian. 

How is this relevant to us? For starters, when Audi launches the facelifted Audi A8L (in CBU form) sometime next year, this technology is sure to make its way here and eventually trickle into the lower models of the German automaker. When this technology makes its way to cheaper vehicles (in about 7-10 years) it will be a great boon on our highways, where the discretion to switch between low beam and high beam is almost negligent.     

Returning to the facelifted A8, it gets a new grille, the LED lights, new bumpers as well as a new exhaust system. The interiors are also expected to get changes in the form of a new MMI system, redesigned instrument cluster and revised upholstery. The engine line up and underpinnings are all expected to remain the same as the current model.