World First: Laser Lights As Standard For New Audi R8 LMX

A new limited edition LMX version of the Audi R8 will not only be the most powerful road going version of the super sports car ever made, but will also be notable as the first production car to adopt laser high beam lighting as standard. The Audi R8 LMX is based on the acclaimed V10 plus model with its high-revving, mid‑mounted ten-cylinder engine, double wishbone suspension and ASF (Audi Space Frame) aluminium body. It will be available exclusively as a coupe with a production run limited to 99 vehicles, and with 540 Nm of torque to complement its 570PS output will be capable of rocketing to 62mph from restin just 3.4 seconds before topping out at 198mph.

OneShift Editorial Team

13 May 2014

A compact, seven‑speed S tronic transmission transfers the power to the quattro permanent all‑wheel drive system, which distributes it judiciously to racing-inspired 19‑inch, 20-spoke wheels shod with tyres with 215mm front and 305mm rear widths. These conceal carbon‑fibre ceramic brake discs with red anodised calipers measuring 380 mm in diameter at the front. The light emitted by laser beams before they pass through a phosphor converter is blue, and this has inspired an Audi exclusive Ara Blue, crystal effect customised paint finish for the new R8 LMX. If preferred, it can also be ordered with Daytona Grey matt effect or Mythos Black, metallic paint finishes.

Blue accents continue the theme in the interior with its bucket seats upholstered in Fine Nappa leather and finished with Sepang Blue diamond stitching and backrest covers in Ara Blue. Sepang Blue diamond stitching also adds contrast in the Alcantara headlining and black Fine Nappa leather door trim panels, and the colour is also sewn into the edges of the parking brake lever, centre tunnel console, steering wheel and instrument cowl.

In 2008, the Audi R8 became the first production car in the world to feature all-LED headlights. This was followed in 2012 by dynamic indicators with a unique sweeping action. Audi launched a new chapter in automotive lighting with the Matrix LED headlights, which debuted in the updated A8 in 2013. Now Audi is progressing to the next stage in the R8 LMX: the laser spot for the high beams. It increases the illumination range substantially, which is ideal for such a supercar.

With the new laser high beams, one laser module per headlight generates a cone of light with twice the range of the all‑LED headlight. Each module comprises four high‑power laser diodes. With a diameter of just 300 micrometers, these generate a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter transforms this into roadworthy white light with a colour temperature of 5,500 Kelvin – ideal conditions for the human eye that enable the driver to recognise contrast more easily and help prevent fatigue.

Credits: Oneshift News Team