Styling continues to evolve ever more rapidly, and significant progress and innovation is increasingly evident in rear lamps. Three significant vectors of progress were on display at Mondiale, the Paris motor show.
Large-area, homogeneous styling effects are realised with such new technologies as Valeo MicoOptics on the Volvo XC 60 and Hella Light Curtain on the Peugeot 308CC.
Homogeneous bands of light, first implemented via light guides, are now entering their second generation with other technologies. Neon tubelike effects have been seen on the BMW 7er which will be surely extend to the other BMW cars, and also on electric cars like the Nissan Nuvu. And a new emphasis on brightness is evident in vehicles like Lexus’ newest concept cars.
All of this adds up to rear lamps being a new focal point for design and innovation. Even manufacturers not traditionally interested in providing more than basically functional lighting have begun equipping their cars with relatively advanced lighting; in Europe, GM provide clear-lens, all-LED rear lamps with a high-tech, all-black or all-white look when not powered, on Cadillac vehicles equipped with plain red lights in their home market of the USA. And new curvilinear style themes are being tried out as LEDs, light guides, and other new technologies free designers from the strictures long imposed by conventional bulb-and-reflector technology.