Audi R8 Offers Optional Laser Headlights

Audi loves lights. The brand was the first to introduce LED headlights for production vehicles in 2004; then it incorporated GPS, pedestrian detection, and selective dimming in its A8 sedan, along with Matrix LED headlights. Last year, Audi unveiled an all-new technology: laser spot high?beam lights in the limited-edition Audi R8 LMX. Now, the automaker has announced those laser headlights will be available equipment on the R8 performance sports car.

The laser high beams will come as an optional supplement to the R8's LED headlights. Laser lighting offers a number of benefits, thanks to high?intensity laser diodes that are capable of generating a large amount of energy from a small component. A recent press release states that laser high beams are able to emit twice the lighting range compared to LED high beams. 

Audi said its advancements in lighting technology align with its core values: progressiveness, sportiness and sophistication.

Here’s the part where we have to let you down easy–so far, the optional laser headlights are only available in European models. Here at Jim Ellis Audi Marietta, our fingers are crossed that with further development of laser headlight technology, we’ll find the advanced headlights make their way across the pond and into more affordable models.