Test of "smart" laser headlights from "PM. Headlights: Laser Breakthrough Laser Light on Car

Touching the future, the first acquaintance with what will soon become commonplace. That's what laser headlights are. real as additional equipment so far they are offered only for the BMW i8, and they have been serially equipped with 99 copies of the super-exclusive Audi R8 LMX. The designation of the model, as it were, hints at Le Mans, and for good reason. On the one hand, this is a tribute to the 15th anniversary of the victory in the famous 24-hour race, on the other hand, a direct reference to technical solution, which until now only the “combat” R18 could boast of. Quattroruote decided to test how laser headlights work and why they are good. To do this, R8 came to night tests.

The new word in automotive science just complements traditional lighting: according to the manufacturer, laser headlights allow you to illuminate the road for 500-600 m. Each headlight has four LEDs that emit light with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. The light is concentrated by a phosphor reflector that changes the color of the beam from blue to white. The result is a powerful beam of light, the temperature approaching daylight: 5500 Kelvin.

Up to half a kilometer

Having placed shields on a straight section of the track every 100 m, we make several races. From our testers, in fact, nothing special is required: two additional headlights turn on at the command of the electronics that control the high beam. The electronics receives input from a television camera installed on the windshield, which monitors the road.

In practice, it turned out that laser headlights turn on only at speeds above 60 km / h, only in unlit areas and only on condition that there are no passing and oncoming cars ahead. As soon as the camera notices a lamp on the side of the road, the electronic system automatically switches to low beam: the headlights are LED, and they are enough. When the system finally decides it's time, the regular headlights turn on first. high beam(they themselves guarantee visibility at a distance of up to 300 m), and in a moment the long-range light of laser searchlights floods the road.

The result is amazing. We cannot unconditionally confirm that the road, as the manufacturer claims, is illuminated at 600 m, but that the beam of light goes beyond half a kilometer is a fact. And, of course, the feeling: when the laser headlights work, the control over the road is complete. Purely out of curiosity (on the road, this should not be done at all), we decided to check how much faster laser headlights allow you to drive. As a starting point, we took our own feelings when driving at a speed of 130 km / h with LED headlights.

Then the lasers were turned on. They figured it out, calculated it, and came to the conclusion that the new invention allows you to control the road just as well at speeds up to 260 km / h and even more.

Not to mention the restrictions that the law imposes, and about common sense, we believe that there is a completely convincing reason not to repeat such exercises on the roads common use: If the camera suddenly detects that another vehicle is driving towards you, the system will immediately turn off the lasers. Find yourself on dark road at this speed with some LEDs - an unenviable fate.

Latest Achievements

In the fascinating world of automotive lighting, another novelty has appeared for several months. The thing is expensive, exclusive, although much further than laser headlights, separated from the realm of science fiction. We are talking about LED matrices. These first appeared a few months ago on the restyled Audi A8, and today they are also offered for models that are not cheap, but still more affordable, like the TT. Designers from Stuttgart are following the same path.

IN this case it's not about the amount of light emitted - according to this indicator, matrix headlights are no different from conventional LED headlights - but about how to control this amount. The high beam headlights turn on when the corresponding command is issued by the camera on the windshield. At the same time, if another car approaches in the oncoming lane, the high beam does not turn off. Is this possible? Yes, it is possible: only LEDs are turned off, which theoretically can blind the driver of an oncoming vehicle. The rest of the road remains illuminated, and a dark spot is formed on the lane along which the oncoming vehicle is moving, which moves with it.

A sort of spotlight on the contrary: a dark zone in the center of the area, brightly lit by high beam headlights. But that's not all: the system is able to track several "targets" at the same time, creating comfort zones, for example, for drivers of two cars and a motorcycle moving in the oncoming lane, plus for the driver of a passing car in front. For matrix headlights, this is not a problem; there may be several dark spots. Well, if suddenly the system detects a person in a dark zone, it will warn the driver about this: first, it will blink brightly three times, and then illuminate the figure.

Laser headlights can be seen far away

To understand what laser headlights are capable of, just look at the diagram below and compare the area illuminated by them with the areas illuminated by low and high beam headlights (we are talking about LED headlights latest generation). It should be noted that the beam of laser headlights is much narrower than we are used to.

• Dipped beam headlights "beat" for about 150 m. The beam of their light is asymmetrical, Opposite Lane is not illuminated.
• High beam headlights, both xenon and LED, illuminate the road in front of the car for 200-300 m.
• With a slight fog (which is not uncommon for our training ground in Italian Vairano at certain times of the year), a peculiar sharp and sharp light of laser headlights is immediately noticeable.

According to the manufacturer's documentation, the beam range of laser headlights can reach 600 m. Pay attention to the shape of the light spot - it is narrow and long.

Exclusive in everything

On request, laser headlights are offered for the BMW i8. It was on this model that they debuted in 2013. How is this possible when headlight sales are just starting? It's simple: in June 2013, laser headlights were exclusively installed on the first eight production copies of the German sports car, handed over to the happy owners during a specially arranged ceremony in Munich. In technical terms, the solution is not much different from what we saw on the Audi R8, and BMW has the same supplier - Osram. On the i8, laser high-beam headlights are also installed not instead of traditional ones, but in addition to them, and turn on only when the appropriate conditions are present. Well, we give you complete freedom in choosing expressions that are appropriate for the price of the option -9750 euros (in Europe).

Matrix lights. The game of lights and shadows

Here the tasks are different: not to shine like a laser, as far as possible, but to protect other road users from being blinded by high beams. At first, matrix headlights were installed only on the A8, but after a few months the approach became more democratic: today, for example, they can also be ordered for the latest generation TTs. True, the option is not cheap - 2585 euros (in Europe).

• Despite the presence of an oncoming vehicle, this area remains fully illuminated.
• The dark zone moves with the oncoming vehicle.
• The gray area, bounded by a dotted line, is illuminated by low beam headlamps.
• The system also recognizes vehicles moving in passing direction. In order not to blind their drivers, matrix headlights also create dark zones.
• Matrix headlights are 25 LEDs that turn on, turn off or simply dim at the command of the electronics.

Mercedes also chose the matrix

In 2010, the second generation Mercedes CLS became the first car in the world to have only LEDs in its lamps and headlights. After a recent restyling, the Stuttgart sedan has acquired the Active Multibeam Led option - the same matrix headlights as those of Audi, and they work on the same principle. The headlights are controlled separately, which allows precise contouring of illuminated and non-illuminated areas in front of the car. The LEDs correct the size of dark spots very quickly and accurately, while the left and right headlight work independently of each other. Every second, the electronic units calculate the optimum configuration of the light spot a hundred times. The system receives initial information from a camera located at the top of the windshield. As a rule, the Active Multibeam Led system is offered as an option. The exception is AMG modifications, which are equipped with matrix headlights as standard.

The car lighting system is developing at a rapid pace, providing more and more new levels of safety and driving comfort. The evolution of automotive light sources is impressive: halogen, xenon, LEDs and, finally, lasers. Light sources based on laser diodes are currently being studied by two automotive companies– BMW and Audi introduced laser headlights on their sports cars.

The laser headlight in its current form is not a headlight as such, but is a high beam laser module as part of a matrix headlight. In the future, all automotive optics can switch to laser light sources. The advantages of laser headlights providing them wide application in the future are:

• long range of illumination (up to 600 m);
• clear cut-off line;
• compact design;
• low energy consumption.

In addition to adaptive high beam, laser headlights can perform other functions:

• interaction with pedestrians (help, warning);
• active road markings(dividing strips, roadside);
• marking light (illumination of pedestrians, animals on the roadway);
• precise dimming of oncoming and passing vehicles;
• indication of the dimensions of the car in cramped conditions.

With the development of the communication system between cars, the list of functions of laser headlights will only expand.

The design of the laser headlight (laser module matrix headlight) includes a block of laser diodes, a mirror matrix, a phosphor, and a lens. Osram laser diodes form laser beams 450 nm long, which are converted (refracted) by a DMD matrix (Digital Micromirror Device, literally - a digital micromirror device), consisting of more than 100,000 micromirrors.

The matrix from Bosch is built on silicon technology and has an electromechanical control that allows each of the micromirrors to rotate in a horizontal and vertical plane. This makes it possible to change the area and intensity of illumination with high speed over a wide range. The phosphor converts blue laser beams into a white glow. At the output of the lens, a powerful light beam of high color temperature is obtained, commensurate with daylight.

The laser headlight is controlled the electronic unit, which changes the position of the micromirrors based on signals from the radar and video cameras. At low speeds, the light is distributed over a large projection area, and the road is illuminated in a wide range. At high speeds, the opening angle decreases and the light intensity increases.

Waiting for the appearance of laser headlights on mass cars and this, apparently, is not far off.

The light sources for the car are essential system, allowing to increase the level of vehicle safety and controllability of the machine in conditions of limited visibility.

Naturally, automakers are trying to constantly improve their lighting technologies: initially conventional ones were used, then LED sources and LEDs began to be used, now it has come to laser headlights for cars.

The principle of operation and the device of laser headlights

Some people, after watching science fiction films and hearing the first news about the appearance of laser headlights for a car, sounded the alarm - this light source, they say, will not only dazzle oncoming motorists, but also negatively affect the retina of the human eye, destroying it.

In fact, the developers of this technology solved this problem a long time ago, thanks to a special approach to the design of their systems and the principle of their operation:

• Lasers are used only for warming up special element- phosphorus.
• Phosphorus, when heated, turns into the strongest light source, which focuses on the road and allows it to be effectively illuminated.

In addition, the developers have implemented in their laser fog lights the following principles:

• Automatic shutdown of the equipment, in the event of a vehicle getting into a traffic accident, in which the headlights may be damaged.
• The presence of special sensors that read information about all oncoming objects and changes in the configuration of the road. After that computer system the vehicle can make independent decisions to reduce the intensity of the emitted light beam.

Technology Benefits

It is clear that such light sources automatically raise the initial cost of the vehicle on which they will be operated. Therefore, motorists have a completely logical question - what kind of advantages will this technology provide? There are several of them:

• Pure lighting - the source gives absolutely white light, which does not distort objects and their outlines at all.
• laser headlights able to illuminate the road at a distance of up to 600 meters.

The last factor is very significant, as it allows you to move outside the city limits at fairly high speeds at night, while simultaneously providing yourself and your car with an acceptable level of safety.

History of appearance and development

First official information about this technology appeared in 2011. It is not at all surprising that two eminent German companies, BMW and AUDI, became the pioneers in this direction of development of automotive lighting systems.

The first were representatives of BMW, who in 2011 presented to the world public a conceptual vehicle called the i8, which received similar technology in high-quality equipment. Exactly three years later, the German sports car entered the stage of mass production and today is available to people, of course, for a fairly high amount of money from ten million rubles and more.

Audi introduced its version a few months later, in the same 2011 year. But, unlike competitors, it was immediately production model R18 E-tron Quattro. At the same time, the automaker presented its next concept (Sport Quattro Laserlight) with a similar lighting system.

That is, on this moment time, people who dream of having their own vehicle equipped with laser light sources can only choose from a limited number of car brands produced by two German companies- all other automakers have not yet announced the development of similar technologies.

Technique does not stand still - sometimes it seems that recently the period of use of the invention has been reduced to only a few years. Until recently, a rather expensive novelty that underwent pre-production tests was, and before them, xenon and halogen lamps went the same way. Now, laser headlights are entering the world technological arena, which have an even more complex principle of operation and much greater efficiency than all light sources that have been created to date. To understand how soon we will see laser headlights on, and what their use will give us, it is worth understanding in more detail the principle of their device.

latest technology

Do not think that laser headlights are similar to those that were installed on the car of the world famous spy James Bond - they are for others and are not capable of setting fire to vehicles that interfere with you with their radiation. It is clear that on civil vehicles absolutely safe light sources will be installed, which will simply significantly increase the efficiency of lighting the road in front of the vehicle. , according to which laser headlights work, it is worth considering their device.

They are based on unique technology scattering, which is based on the use of such a chemical element as yellow phosphorus - in fact, the laser is used only as a means of providing its glow. Therefore, laser lighting cannot be used to harm others, to the delight of most road users, and to the chagrin of fans of the famous English intelligence officer. If we consider the technology created, we can see that it uses three blue lasers that are aimed at a cubic lighting element filled with phosphorus. After a minimum time after the beam hits it, it begins to emit very bright white radiation, the intensity of which is several times higher than that of other light sources at similar energy costs. Behind the phosphor light source in the laser headlights, a specially designed reflector is installed, which allows up to 99.95% of the radiation to be concentrated on the road.

Video presentation of laser BMW headlights M4:

Many people who see laser headlights for cars in front of them in a section begin to doubt whether such technology will harm others - after all, lasers are known for their ability to blind a person’s eyes and even violate the integrity of some materials with enough high power radiation source. However, experts from BMW, which was the first to introduce a prototype of laser headlights, indicate that it the laser is used exclusively to "ignite" the phosphor lighting element, therefore, for drivers of oncoming vehicles, as well as people met near the road, such lighting equipment will be absolutely safe. Even if a car equipped with laser headlights and the integrity of its lights is violated, the radiation sources will be instantly turned off, which will minimize the danger of such a light source to others.

Main advantages

Of course, this technology has its drawbacks - in particular, it will definitely not work to make laser headlights with your own hands, since high-tech materials are used in their manufacture, the production of which is quite expensive. However, in general, the car only benefits from the operation of laser headlights. In particular, as mentioned earlier, with similar, the resulting brightness can be several times greater. Laser headlights from BMW, currently in prototype status, already provide 1.7 to 1.8 times more light intensity with 50% less power than halogen and xenon.

In addition, the laser light of the headlights makes it possible not only to increase the clarity of recognition of objects located in the path of the car - it has twice the range even in comparison. The limit is approximately 500-600 meters, which significantly increases safety when driving at high speed. At the same time, the phosphor used in laser headlights creates an almost perfect white spectrum light, which also improves visibility compared to the traditional yellowish beams of incandescent and halogen light sources.

Many people have a question - would such laser headlights with an increased glow range and incredible brightness interfere with oncoming traffic. Indeed, such a problem arose at the initial stage of development, but it was quickly solved with the help of modern technologies. Microcontrollers allow you to limit the direction in which the beam of laser headlights spreads, preventing interference with others. Wherein BMW company at this stage, it also solved the issue of driving along steep “serpentines”, on which the electronics simply did not have time to respond to changing traffic conditions. Once changes in road conditions are detected, the laser headlights are switched to simulate conventional headlights, thus achieving a compromise between efficiency and safety.

Modifications

While laser headlights are being tested for the first time, the principle of operation of which has not yet been perfected, additional lamps are already installed on some and Audi, using a similar principle of operation. Installed together with fog lamps, they have a principle of operation based on highlighting road obstacles that can pose a serious danger to a vehicle moving at high speed. In particular, BMW uses such laser headlights to prevent collisions with.

The principle of operation of the device is rather complicated - at first, a person or other living creature of a sufficiently large size (for example, a deer) discovers, which makes it possible to capture thermal radiation at a great distance. It monitors its position in real time, and transmits a signal to special laser "search lights" installed in the same unit with fog lamps. In turn, they create a fairly narrow beam of radiation, which allows you to illuminate the "living obstacle" and thereby prevent an accident with fatal consequences. On average, such "search lights" allow you to win 1-5 seconds in detecting a living creature on the road.- it seems like this is not much, but it is worth remembering that a car moving at high speed can travel more than a hundred meters in this time.

There are also options that are installed as headlight lamps - however significant disadvantage, which such laser headlights have - a price several times higher than that of LED fixtures. In addition, on routes with big amount electronics do not always have time to respond to changes in time road conditions, as a result of which the huge brightness of laser headlights can become a minus due to blinding oncoming traffic. Therefore, laser light sources, which are used as the main ones, we will see on modern cars only a few years later. In the meantime, laser headlights will remain the lot of conceptual novelties presented at the sites of international exhibition centers.

When to expect?

Automotive electronics experts say that laser headlights are still prototypes that can only be used in the most expensive cars. At the same time, even they have not yet been perfected to perfection - in particular, the problem of blinding drivers of oncoming vehicles remains the main drawback. However, it is quite obvious that such light sources are the future of car headlights, since with similar power consumption they provide much greater work efficiency, and, therefore, -. As for the serial application, the engineers say that it will be possible to create relatively inexpensive laser headlights in 5-10 years.

Another company that develops new system lighting and installs it in their models - Audi. The first cars to feature laser lighting were the R18 E-tron Quattro and the appropriately named Sport Quattro Laserlight concept car. First Audi model with new headlights has been available since 2011. Its illuminators are activated only at speeds above 60 kilometers per hour. Such a device is needed in order not to dazzle other drivers and pedestrians in the city - the headlights will only work on the highway or outside the city. The rest of the time, the road will be illuminated with conventional LED lights. Each laser headlight is equipped with four powerful diodes with a width of luminous flux 300 micrometers. The system creates a blue beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers, which is converted into white light with a color temperature of 5500 kelvins. Such a stream is most similar to natural sunlight, therefore it does not make the eyes tired on the road. The range of illumination is 500 meters.

For the first time, laser headlights on an Audi were tested in practice precisely on racing car R18 E-tron Quattro. The car participates in endurance races. The laser system was created by Osram, a division of the Special Lightning Division. Audi was not embarrassed that expensive lighting added a substantial amount to the cost of the R18 E-tron Quattro - at the time of 2016 the car is available for purchase. Manufacturers decided that the benefits that not only the driver, but also other road users will receive, are worth the money. At the same time, the car is equipped with laser headlights only at the rear (the original feature of the model).

In addition, in 2014 Audi came out under the name R8 LMX. This is a limited line sports coupe, produced in the amount of 99 cars.

First stock car for everyday use, on which laser headlights are installed, has become the BMW i8. At the time of 2016, the cost of this model is more than 10 million rubles. The company claims that this technology produces a beam of light approximately 600 meters long and is 30% more energy efficient than LED systems.

Rumors have also recently been confirmed that BMW will produce motorcycles with laser light systems. They will be, which have been produced since 2011. The first motorcycle with this equipment was the luxury K1600GLT CES. The last abbreviation in the name means Consumer Electronics Show - this is an exhibition electronic technology where the model was presented.

BMW believes that laser optics technology is the future of the automotive industry. The company's engineers have prepared several prototypes based on powerful light systems.

The device and principle of operation of laser headlights

For the first time, such a lighting system was installed on a car in 2011. This car is a BMW i8. The sports car is equipped with twelve blue laser beams - three in each of the headlight sections.

The technology is based on the principle of dispersion, which, in turn, is achieved through the use of a special chemical substance - it fills the cavity of the headlight - yellow phosphorus. Technically, the laser is used only as a light source - if it were the basis of the system and did not scatter, the illuminator would produce a concentrated beam. It is thanks to the distribution of the wave that the device can be used as a lighting device. Such headlights with a laser generator do not blind other road users and pedestrians, but perfectly perform their function. For example, in technology from BMW, it is noticeable that the sources create a blue beam passing through a cubic element that is filled with phosphorus. Almost instantly, the light turns into bright diffused white light - such headlights are several times more intense than the rest for the same energy consumption. Efficiency is achieved thanks to a specially designed reflector that concentrates approximately 99.95% of the flow in the right direction - on the road in front of the car.

Lasers are known for blinding people or even damaging various surfaces with their directional beam - this causes a large number of disputes and doubts about such technology when used in headlights. But such lighting does no harm, since the concentrated stream is used only for “ignition” - only the stream scattered through yellow phosphorus falls on the road. Thus, laser headlights are completely safe and harmless. They do not cause injury, blindness, or harm. In case the car has an accident and its optical instruments are destroyed, the laser system will automatically turn off - there is no chance that the beams will shine unscattered, which means that the installation will not harm anyone.

The head optics of the same BMW i8 works in this way: two headlights consist of two elements of three lasers each, and the rays, in turn, fall on small mirrors, after which they are redirected to the lens. Under the influence of yellow phosphorus, the blue stream turns into white with a temperature of approximately 5500 kelvins - this is the closest result that engineers have been able to achieve to natural light. This color temperature allows laser headlights not to strain the eyes of the driver and other participants with their light. After reflection, the light is redirected 180 degrees relative to the source and hits the road in a diffused form. This configuration is just one of many possible, so there are actually a lot of options for laser headlights. Also, the acceptable shape of optics elements is almost unlimited - designers and engineers can make configurations of almost any size and type.

The full power of these headlights is such that the maximum possible light emitted is a thousand times more intense than that produced by a diode system. But laser sources are used only half-heartedly - this is necessary to save energy, since the consumption of electricity by a car is very high. At the same time, the declared service life of the new generation headlights is the same as that of LED - 10,000 hours.

Advantages of laser light sources in cars

Comparing this modern technology with the already known ones - incandescent, halogen, xenon and LED (diode) lamps - a number of differences can be distinguished. Laser automotive illuminators have several advantages that stem from the properties of the system: coherence, monochrome, radiation intensity, and others. Advantages over "normal" lamps:

• The laser source forms a concentrated beam of light, which almost does not expand (does not scatter) - this allows you to control the beam and illuminate specific areas.
• The light intensity of such a beam is 10 times greater than that of halogen, xenon and diode sources. The radiation range of laser optics is approximately 600 meters, while the "normal" one is no more than 300, and more often even 200 meters. At the same time, at short distances (at which the dipped beam works - 60–85 meters in front of the car), the system does not blind - the beams are strictly aimed and when a person appears nearby, the lighting is turned off in front of the car. It is the “necessary” elements that are deactivated, in the area of ​​​​action of which the object is located.

• The laser machine consumes 30% less energy while producing the same amount of light.
• These headlights are the most compact of all available at the time of 2016. The radiating surface of the beam is 100 times smaller than a conventional diode. With a similar light output, the laser requires a reflector with a diameter of 30 millimeters, while xenon and halogen require 70 and 120, respectively. This feature allows you to do modern headlights compact without sacrificing efficiency. On the BMW i8, the reflector has shrunk from 9 centimeters to less than 3 centimeters - so far the designers and engineers are not going to make the size even smaller, but there is such a possibility.

Thus, the head laser light always works in conjunction with a complex and functional electronic system. The device allows you to turn off part of the radiation of the headlight, depending on whether there is an object in its “field of view”, how far and where it is located. The laser system makes the light safer and more comfortable for all road users and pedestrians.

Is it possible to buy and install laser headlights on your car

Despite the high cost of production and, consequently, sales, such an optics system aroused the interest of many motorists. Unfortunately, in 2016 laser optics(head or for parking lights) not for sale. Despite the fact that some world-class companies have been working in the field for several years, you can get such a system only by purchasing one of several cars that are equipped with such lighting that have come out at the moment.

Cars with laser headlights

At the moment there are only 6 cars with such a lighting system. At the same time, most of them are prototypes or have a limited edition.

This model is the first hybrid supercar from the company and also the first car with laser headlights launched in mass production and sale. serial version was presented in autumn 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the same time, the i8 concept was shown to motorists back in 2009. BMW claims that this supercar is a revolutionary model in the automotive industry: immediately for the company, this class of cars and the field of optics for cars. BMW first put a car with laser headlights on stream, which took a place in the history of the industry. The model costs more than 10,000,000 rubles.

The design of the i8 is very unusual - the futuristic appearance that the real model inherited from the concept distinguishes the car even among its classmates. The body has smooth curves and lines. Like all BMW models, the i8 has a practical and ergonomic exterior and interior. Coefficient aerodynamic drag body - 0.26.

The hybrid system of the car consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline and two electric (one is needed only for starting) engines. total power 362 l. With. Max speed- 120 km/h on electric power only and 250 km/h in combined mode. Acceleration to hundreds takes 4.4 seconds. i8 has robotic gearbox with 6 steps.

This racing model- a continuation of the classic Audi line, which was launched in 1980, and the next generation after the R15 TDI. Compared to the previous model, R18 E-tron has a number of features. First of all, it is laser optics at the rear. The headlights are filled with yellow phosphor and work according to the same system as on other cars. Head optics R18 E-tron Quattro still consists of LED sources.

The engine in the new model is an electric turbocharged V6 TDI, which also received improved systems for storing and converting exhaust heat into energy for the car. During the development of the R18, the engineers abandoned the second such device, as it did not increase efficiency.

Aerodynamic new Audi has increased significantly. The reason for this was the body reduced by 10 centimeters in width. The monocoque of the car was made even more durable with the help of additional material. Wheel suspension and crash protection were also added.

As for the laser headlights, Audi said that this system is a new milestone in the development of the Le Mans race. Thus, the company is confident that these headlights will make racing conditions better.

The Quattro line is racing and road cars produced by the German company. The first model of the series appeared in 1980 - it was produced until 1991. The idea for the line was given in 1977 by an engineer of the company itself.

The Audi Quattro Sport concept - the forerunner of the Laserlight variation that is based on this version - was released in 2013 and was presented in Frankfurt in honor of the 30th anniversary of the line. The model received new stiffening ribs, as well as square lights with LED light sources. In addition, Quattro Sport is equipped with a spoiler under the rear-view glass, rectangular lights on the "tail" of the car, 21-inch wheels and ceramic-carbon brakes. In the cabin of the predecessor Laserlight, you can find a multifunction sports steering wheel, 2 three-dimensional displays and air conditioning. The fenders and doors of the car are made of aluminum, while the roof and the rest of the body are made of polymer.

The front axle of the Quattro Sport has 5 support elements per wheel, while the rear axle is equipped with a controlled trapezoid linkage. The model is equipped with a 4-liter fuel engine and an electric motor with a capacity of 552 and 148 horsepower, respectively. The car accelerates to hundreds in 3.7 seconds and has a limit of 305 km / h.

The Laserlight version, which is based on the "regular" Quattro Sport, is distinguished precisely by the special design of the headlights. In this case, the dipped beam is provided by diodes.

This model is BMW's answer to the launch of a car with laser headlights in series production. The Audi R18 E-tron Quattro and Quattro Sport Laserlight are racing prototypes, while the R8 LMX was released (only 99 units, though). The car is designed to bring light to the masses, and in the literal sense, because its lighting system is one of the most interesting features models.

Exactly Audi first began to think and work on equipping the car with laser headlights. They started making them before BMW, which, it's worth noting, was the first to release these optics to the public. The R8 LMX laser headlights are made up of the following elements: running lights, main diodes (low beam), side lighting, auxiliary high beams, a small laser generator and an LED parking light strip. The LMX headlights are the same as the i8, but the Audi has 1 more elements for each sector - 4 versus 3 for the BMW. One way or another, the light from all sources is reduced into a common beam and fed to a special plane, which redirects the blue light and “colors” it into a lighter shade close to white.

The laser turns on when accelerating and is activated after 60 kilometers per hour. The light hits 500 meters ahead - a distance much further than most flat stretches of road without curves. Therefore, perhaps this lighting system is even too powerful.

The modification of the R8 with a laser is not a fundamentally new model, therefore it has the components of its predecessor. This is a 5.2-liter engine (though forced - up to 570 hp from 550), as well as an automatic transmission ("mechanics" were no longer installed). Externally, the car also corresponds to the predecessor and the general concept of Audi.

German coupe with modern system lighting, which was presented in 2015. BMW decided not to stop in terms of equipping its models with laser optics and is preparing to release a new version of the M4 (the predecessor was released in 2013). The car is almost no different from the version without modern headlights.

The design of the M4 with laser headlights matches the motifs of the entire range. Sports bumpers and a larger track with wheels of different widths for 18-inch wheels give the car a "muscular" look. The M4 uses lightweight carbon at its core to improve handling by reducing the weight of the car.

Like the previous generation - BMW M3 - the fourth is equipped with a 3-liter gasoline engine turbocharged. The engine provides power in 431 horsepower. Torque against the background of previous versions increased by 25%. Similarly, fuel consumption has decreased by a quarter. The coupe is equipped with one of the gearboxes - mechanical in 6 steps or robotic in 7. The car's chassis is tuned with the participation of professional racers, and chassis complemented by an electronic differential and Servotronic technology for better steering.

Laser headlights in this model are installed as head optics. In the photos of the concept, their radiation has blue tint, but BMW claims the light is close to daylight. The headlight range is 600 meters.

Volkswagen is the first and so far the only manufacturer at the time of 2016, in addition to BMW and Audi, who began to work with laser headlights. This is the eighth generation Golf, for which the designers create fundamentally new design. The release of the model is expected in 2017. Laser headlights are supposed to be installed only in the most expensive equipment.

It is assumed that the Golf 8 will be built on the basis of the MQB platform, which is used for Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon. Manufacturers may refuse three-door version, since it is not popular on the outgoing generations in last years. In the salon will be installed Information system, which is controlled by gestures.

The appearance of the new model will have a more aggressive front body and sharp lines. Planned to be added to front bumper LED daytime running lights. The announcement of the eighth generation Volkswagen Golf took place in 2016.

Outcome

Already now, the laser optics system impresses with its compact size. These and other properties (brightness, energy consumption, and beam guidance accuracy) will be improved, allowing for very efficient and convenient light sources. Related technologies are also developing. For example, a system that tracks objects in the coverage area and adjusts in such a way that it does not shine on them and does not blind people. The laser system has advantages both for the car owner and for other road users - drivers and pedestrians.