Chances are you’re familiar with the Audi R8. It’s a world class supercar with a 570 horsepower V10 that propels it from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. This morning Audi announced that they will be producing 99 units of a special edition model called the Audi R8 LMX, which will be the first production car in the world to come equipped with laser high beams.
In 2008, the Audi R8 was the first car to have all-LED headlights, and in 2012 became the first to have dynamic turn signals. This year, Audi is launching a new chapter in automotive lighting history with the creation of laser high beams designed to substantially increase range. This is ideal for a supercar like the Audi R8 LMX because of its low stature, which means its headlights can’t shine as far forward.
Audi’s production teams work very closely with their racing teams, and as a result the laser high beam technology will debut on the Audi R8 e-tron quattro at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14 and 15. This continues Audi’s practice of using racing to test technologies that will soon be in production.
The laser high beams generate a cone of light with twice the range of the all-LED headlight. The laser lights are active at speeds of above 37 MPH and are designed with wavelengths and temperatures that are ideal for the human eye.
Watch Roman review the Audi R8 in this TFL Review…
