Audi outdoes Lexus again with new all-LED headlights

dannyboy2 submitted on 08/10/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:05 AM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[83] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Audi

Audi

Audi has gone one up on Lexus by offering the world’s first all-LED headlights for its new R8 sports car. Unlike the units in Lexus’ flagship LS 600h saloon, which use LED lights for the low-beam projectors, the new Audi lights use the efficient diodes for the low and high beams as well as the daytime running lights and turn signals.

The Audi units look a hell of a lot better than the Lexus ones as well. Read Article

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IamEvilHomer - 8/10/2007 2:21:41 AM

+3 Boost

old news

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dannyboy2 - 8/10/2007 9:05:40 AM

0 Boost

This is the first time an image of the new headlights have been released. They look very great, so do the Lexus ones so a big tick to LED headlights.

Designer1 - 8/10/2007 2:26:21 AM

+5 Boost

wow, this is so old its boring to read.

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dlin - 8/10/2007 2:34:16 AM

+1 Boost

R U gonna post next time AUDI outdoes Lexus w/ all the FWD car?

Don't waste everybody's time.

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enthusiastx11 - 8/10/2007 2:44:09 AM

+5 Boost

yes, they're interesting headlights.
but do you seriously think this is why someone is going to buy an R8. please.

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david989 - 8/10/2007 3:20:53 AM

-12 Boost

Lexus had them first.

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AE86 - 8/10/2007 3:25:57 AM

+1 Boost

It says in his local Toyota-Lexus magazines!

david989 - 8/10/2007 7:16:24 AM

-14 Boost

The LS600h was the world's first car with LED. It's also the world's first car with a leather dashboard and it offers the performance of a V12 with the fuel economy of a V6.

w209w114 - 8/10/2007 9:41:56 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

David

First Leather dashboard? I think not! and V12 power with the economy of a V6... LMAO! You've missed all the articles posted here about the terrible gass mileage of the LS600H

david989 - 8/10/2007 11:19:59 AM

-8 Boost

W209whatever,

Yes I completely ignored the articles posted about the LS600h because they were posted by German fanboy losers like you. When it comes to Lexus news and road tests, I only trust the Toyota and Lexus inhouse magazines.

IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:37:54 AM

+4 Boost

1st who cars about the headlights (even though the first "production" car was the R8

leather dashbords have been out for over 100 years
current Audi models with leather is A8, A6, R8, S5, S6

xj13 - 8/10/2007 5:04:18 AM

-3 Boost

Lexus don't come close to anything Audi does, so compare Lex to Honda period.

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IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:38:34 AM

+1 Boost

bull as long as you admit that

S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:30:15 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

In fact, bulldogz, they are all those things. The only lame duck in the A4/A6 lineup is the 3.2L engine. Otherwise, 2.0T is faster than IS250 (significantly), 4.2 is faster than 430 and will be the same as 460, as Lexus is only giving it 460hp, and there are no other competitors.

S4cabriofoxone - 8/12/2007 6:30:44 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

*340hp. Obviously, "460hp" was a typo.

STJ88 - 8/10/2007 6:47:18 AM

0 Boost

@xj13

Call me when audi makes a RWD sedan, until that comes audi won't even stand a chance against lexus.

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david989 - 8/10/2007 7:15:43 AM

-8 Boost

Lexus cars are better than Audi. Audi's are just cheap FWD Volkswagens and they try to sound prestigeous with quattro but it is really not that great. RWD is the route Lexus choose and they are good at it.

IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:41:02 AM

+4 Boost

ring ring i am calling
dork

Will_ - 8/10/2007 7:33:20 AM

+7 Boost

LED lights are not only cool, but more efficient as well. Good to see such a cool car get such an exclusive feature.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:47:57 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

A very good comment that doesn't mention any OTHER car manufacturers- just pertains to the subject at hand.

AUTO_UNION - 8/10/2007 7:50:47 AM

0 Boost

Let me teach you fanatics something about Audi.Audi has long history and great racing heritage that only few can match. Also Audi has been improving technology for decades. They have been winning races with totally new methods(first rear mounted engine, quattro, FSI, TDI....). Audi doesn't need RWD because that is not it's philosophy.Instead they use quattro(sporty oriented audis) with full right because they have revolutinized AWD. Lexus hasn't done anything special with RWD. And FWD audis are good as luxury cruisers since it provides better traction than RWD(especially in snow).

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Brembo - 8/10/2007 8:05:39 AM

0 Boost

Better traction in snow is not an issue anymore because of electronic stability control.

ThierryHenry14 - 8/10/2007 6:45:32 PM

+3 Boost

u guys are clueless. ESP and snow tires dont compare to quattro. please get behind the wheels of a quattro equipped car in the snow and you'll know.

IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:40:22 AM

+3 Boost

guys - don't tell me you believe what you are saying? now i see why you buy that Lexus story

IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:42:20 AM

+3 Boost

admirer- you can't say that and live in a snow belt

AUTO_UNION - 8/10/2007 7:54:33 AM

+3 Boost

Forgot to say ignorance won't get you anywhere!

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Brembo - 8/10/2007 8:02:35 AM

+2 Boost

You know LED lights add 2000 extra horsepower to your car.

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IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:43:40 AM

+2 Boost

funny boy
but it does give you better gas milage

rok_altima - 8/10/2007 8:35:45 AM

+2 Boost

Audi makes a fine car. The fact that most are FWD based doesn't deter people from buying them. Electronic stability control does not aid as much in snow traction as a true AWD system. 2 wheels are still devilvering power while the other two are still going for the ride. AWD can send to all wheels, with the correct power for each wheel.

And Audi does stand a chance against Lexus..World wide Audi sells more cars than Lexus. Lexus has been a flop in Europe- one of the largest world markets.

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david989 - 8/10/2007 11:51:16 AM

-5 Boost

Lexus sells more cars in Europe than Toyota.

rg12345 - 8/10/2007 6:34:29 PM

+4 Boost

True. About 85/year.

ThierryHenry14 - 8/10/2007 6:49:51 PM

+1 Boost

it goes 1 to 2. 2 to 4. 4 to 8. WOW! its increasing every month by 100%. it doesnt matter.

david989 - 8/10/2007 9:27:23 AM

-3 Boost

Because they want us Lexus fans to get mad. Not happening. We are more mature than those stupid German fanboys. Lexus rules and we know it. Let the haters hate.

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Kinger - 8/10/2007 11:04:12 AM

+4 Boost

^ Hilarious...

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david989 - 8/10/2007 12:02:23 PM

-2 Boost

What?

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Hyundai - 8/10/2007 10:45:58 AM

+3 Boost

LAME [title].

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david989 - 8/10/2007 12:28:43 PM

-3 Boost

How does it stack up to the Lexus LF-A though? That is the real question.

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EL34 - 8/10/2007 1:13:19 PM

-1 Boost

Doesn't Lexus use Christmas lights with the little remote control box to make them turn on and off in different patterns?

Anyway, Audi is numero frickin' uno!!!

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EL34 - 8/10/2007 1:18:49 PM

-3 Boost

Other advantages Audi has over Lexus is breaking and handling.

Lexus advantage is parking.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:54:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Oh please, 43LE, you know that's not true. Why don't you go out and buy an Audi and then watch it not break down?

As for EL34... I must admit, that was funny, although stupid.

1evlaudi - 8/10/2007 3:15:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

for all Lexus fans that talk before they think:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/german-analyst-calls-lexus-sales-pitiful.html

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1evlaudi - 8/10/2007 3:17:26 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

here is another one:
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?ID=87064

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1evlaudi - 8/10/2007 3:46:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I am not sure about the breaking thing neither, keep in mind that Audi sells about 100k car a year in the UK, very popular, here is a link to a UK site about reliability, look which luxury car is the most reliable...
http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/cars/reports/choosing_a_car/Which_car_reliability_survey_news_article_557_117187.jsp

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4x4rules - 8/10/2007 3:47:27 PM

+1 Boost

What original technology has Lexota brought to the automotive world?

Seriously, im curious.

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4x4rules - 8/10/2007 3:48:51 PM

+2 Boost

IM sorry i meant to say what OTHER original technology.

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 8/10/2007 7:55:52 PM

+6 Boost

For all you jokers exclaiming how nice the LED system on the R8 looks

The picture on the MotorTrend Site was of the Bi Xenon Lighting System

The Proper LED system on the R8 can be viewed on

http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/gallery2.php?mode=album&album=/Events/Paris%20Auto%20Show/2006/R8%20Reveal%20Ceremony=Esplanade%20Charles%20De%20Gaulle&start=192#

Bloody Armchair Experts !!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:57:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow, that looks fantastic! I knew these weren't the real things when I saw the picture... stupid website.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 8/13/2007 7:34:42 AM

+2 Boost

Haha brilliant! They look beautiful!

ICON - 8/13/2007 11:49:43 PM

+2 Boost

Thanks for that link...good on ya mate.

What a beautiful machine..and only 300-400 a year available. It will be special indeed!

Lexus - 8/10/2007 11:27:25 PM

-3 Boost

When Audi beat Lexus in quality, reliability, have a 8 Speed tranmission, and have a self-park system than we talk.

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IamEvilHomer - 8/11/2007 12:39:13 AM

+2 Boost

lexus - you can put rubies on a turd and it still stinks

zoogies - 8/11/2007 2:46:46 AM

-4 Boost

Yeah, and anyone who looks directly at those headlights will immediately be blinded and end up crashing into a telephone pole. This is Audi's new and advanced security system. You know how annoying those carjackers can be at 50 mph.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:58:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

In fact, I've noticded that the car that has the absolute worst lights on the road for blinding is the Lexus RX. I am ashamed to say that my wife's RX330 has the xenons, and they hurt terribly when one is coming at you.

zoogies - 8/12/2007 2:00:45 PM

+1 Boost

Really? The RX doesn't bother me. The Nissan Maxima is torture though. I swear those cars have xenon high beams and more often than not, I get blinded by them. I swear, I can't see for like 15 seconds after one of those go by.

henbmw - 8/11/2007 9:54:53 AM

+1 Boost

I can't say just from the pictures that the LED's look much cooler than HID's. They are whiter, which is better but the purple hue that comes from high quality HID's is hard to beat in 'coolness.'

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:59:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The ones shown here aren't the LEDs. Look at the pictures I95 gave the link to.

S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:59:13 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The ones shown here aren't the LEDs. Look at the pictures I95 gave the link to.

S4cabriofoxone - 8/11/2007 12:59:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Sorry, double post. Stupid laptop keyboard.

henbmw - 8/11/2007 4:46:05 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah I saw that link. They look whiter for sure but I think seeing them in real life is the only way to make a fair comparison. I prob won't see them until the NY Auto show next year.

toolatetorace - 8/11/2007 9:53:26 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like another car to have blinding headlites coming at ya, hope there isn't too many people wanting to turn left in front of you while they are waiting for traffic to clear while you are rapidly approching them on a county road them and you are blinded by the light

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BentleyGT - 8/12/2007 2:27:25 PM

0 Boost

Mercedes had them before lexus on the Ocean Drive Concept.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/12/2007 6:32:57 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Well OBVIOUSLY, many manufacturers have had LED headlights on their concept cars for quite a few years, but very few have made it to production. The LS600hL and R8 are both production cars, so no, Mercedes-Benz did not.

IamEvilHomer - 8/13/2007 11:18:22 AM

+2 Boost

TDI, FSI, Quattro, ASF, LED

Amazing looks like Audi has most of the alpabet already

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answer - 8/13/2007 11:33:41 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

A tip for the morons:

Try talking positive about a car without mentioning another car negatively. It goes a long way to making you sound like you know what you are talking about, and not just another idiot fanboy.

The R8 is an amazingly beautiful car that performs well too. But, saying the Lexus LS hybrid is pure crap in comparison is galactically stupid. Both are great cars with completely different goals.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/14/2007 12:09:03 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Thank you. I think it would be fabulous having both in one garage- the LS, for taking friends out do dinner and just for a relaxing drive, but the R8 for sexy road trips and weekend fun (as well as just being seen).

autopro - 8/13/2007 11:52:03 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I sold Audi's from 1985 to 1994 the were the biggest pieces of crap I've ever seen.So many people were burned owning an Audi product most of them and myself included will never own one again.It shows in their sales in the U.S. we will all be dead before they get even close to lexus sales no matter how good the product is.

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/14/2007 12:11:48 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Really? Wow, that was incredible, bulldogz. Your immaturity shows through.

In fact, the years that he sold those cars were some of the worst for Audi. Period.

Do you really think I would keep buying these cars if I weren't satisfied with them? I'm not stupid. If I really hated my S4, I would have a 650i instead. But it's beautiful, fast and comfortable, and I couldn't ask for anything more. The V8 exhaust note, reliability and generous rear seat (for a convertible) are just icing on the cake.

SilentNightR34 - 8/13/2007 4:19:55 PM

+5 Boost

It annoys me how little people know about LED headlight technology and what goes into. Even more so how people act like Lexus shouldn't be considered because they only made the first headlight with LED low beams and not all-LED headlight.

Making the headlight bright enough the light up the road is what has been the biggest challenge of all. When designing the low beam, they had to make sure the LEDs generated enough heat to be able to melt snow off of the headlight, cool enough so it doesn't melt the housing and connectors, bright enough to light up the road, design a new projector to focus the many beams of light into one and probably a lot more. All Audi did was add day time running lights and turn signals that are LED's and everyone makes a big deal about it like it has never been done before.. I didn't see this same commotion when Audi put LED driving lights on its s6 or s8, nor when BMW started using LED turn signals. Today, anybody can get LED turn signal bulbs and DRL for their vehicle as replacement bulbs but I bet you can't find LED headlights.

Even people on Hidplanet.com realized that LED bulbs themselves are not enough to light up the road efficiently. You can see that consumer grade LED bulbs suck in lighting up the road by purchasing those LED flashlights. If you compare it to a halogen based flashlight, it is like night and day. The LED bulbs just shine a bluish light which is hard to see while the halogen bulb brightens the area excellently.

Now these 2 manufactures have come up with a way to get bright white efficient light out of them which I think is remarkable. I just think it’s ridiculous that people are making a giving props to a company that put all of these together and putting down the company who was the first to develop the last part needed to complete the all-LED headlight. I'm sure Lexus could have made an all-LED headlight if they wanted to. I don't know why they did not and I think they should have. It's not like they have much research to do, it mainly just adding in the bulbs.

Anyways, I give my props to Lexus for being the first manufacturer to use LED lamps in their headlights.

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