adaptive light

The adaptive light is an Audi technology for the xenon plus headlights and is available in a number of different versions. In the top models its controller manages the swiveling modules so that they always deliver the perfect light for urban, interurban and highway driving. The driver can precisely control the function of the adaptive light via the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. The all-weather light integrated into the headlight replaces the fog light.

A particularly attractive element of the adaptive light is the variable headlight range control. A video camera mounted in front of the inside mirror recognizes preceding and approaching vehicles by their lights. A computer adapts the vehicle’s own light through a smooth range that always provides the maximum possible illumination.

A technological breakthrough from Audi is the networking of the headlight control unit with the optional MMI navigation plus. The navigation system reads the route data in advance and relays them to the light computer, so as to activate the longer-range highway lighting while still on the on-ramp to the highway, for example. The system automatically switches on the cornering light before entering an intersection; in countries like the United Kingdom, it automatically switches the headlights from driving on the right to driving on the left.

The high-beam assistant, which uses a small camera in the rearview mirror, is available in many Audi models. It detects oncoming vehicles and towns based on their illumination and switches automatically between the high and low beams.

Status: 2011