By Paul-Henri Matha
A few days ago, Audi communication team shared some first pictures of new Audi Q3. What did we saw? lamps and nothing else! as lamp engineer, and as part of the lighting community, I really like such a teaser.
The Audi Q3 has been a permanent fixture in the premium compact segment as a bestseller for more than ten years. Now time for the third generation.
At the front of the compact SUV are the digital matrix LED headlights, which use the micro LED module for the first time in an Audi vehicle, and also this is the first time to have a HD technology in the Audi compact segment, the micro-LED module replacing the DMD module.
The module, which is around 13 millimeters wide, contains 25,600 micro-LEDs. Each individual micro-LED is around 40 micrometers in size, about half as thick as a human hair.
The use of this micro-LED technology generates significantly improved illumination and thus ensures a very clear contrast on the road surface – particularly advantageous in weather-related difficult visibility conditions.
The light guidance functions, known as lane and orientation lights, are now much more closely linked to the driving assistance functions. By displaying important information from the assistance systems in the driver’s direct field of vision in front of the vehicle and with a direct visual reference to the infrastructure, the lighting functions contribute to a further increase in driving safety.
On the one hand, the active warning of the Lane Change Assistant in lane lights on highways is reflected if the driver of the Audi Q3 wants to change lanes while a vehicle is in the blind spot. In addition, the lane departure warning display in the orientation light on country roads and motorways supports the driver. It is activated in the same way as the familiar display in the instrument cluster as soon as the lane boundary is unintentionally crossed. In addition, due to the extended traffic information, an ice crystal is projected onto the road as a warning symbol from around 70 km/h onwards in the event of possible icy conditions.
Another example of the further development in light guidance: Since there is usually a lack of visibility on construction sites, the digital Matrix LED headlight automatically adjusts the light guidance and fades out the lane light in favor of the orientation light in order to significantly simplify lane keeping in narrow construction site situations.
For the first time, customers can deactivate individual functions of the digital Matrix LED headlights, such as the track light, via the MMI. Also selectable via the MMI are three different designs of the extended dynamic coming-home and leaving-home lighting show when the engine is entered or switched off. This means that the digital Matrix LED technology is also presented in a particularly impressive way when stationary. In conjunction with the micro-LED light source, the digital Matrix LED headlights ensure very precise light distribution of the high beam and even better suppression of other road users to increase road safety.
In addition to the digital matrix LED modules, the digital daytime running lights with LED technology, consisting of 23 segments per side, ensure a high recognition value at the front. Depending on the equipment, up to four different digital light signatures with suitably designed coming- and leaving-home stagings for the front and rear can be selected via the MMI.
The rear section is optionally adorned with digital OLED rear lights, which are complemented by a continuous LED light strip. A total of 36 different segments are divided into six digital OLED panels, which enable digital tail light signatures in the rear. A special eye-catcher are the illuminated rings at the rear, which become active as soon as the low beam is switched on.
This level of lighting technology in the new Audi Q3 is available for the first time in the Audi compact segment.
In the dark, various light packages (ambient light package plus or pro) set the scene for the ambience of the interior. Marker lights in the dashboard and centre console emphasise the clear lines of the interior. Indirect ambient lights below the MMI panoramic display or in the doors underline the architecture in the interior.
As a new design element, the front doors are now optionally illuminated over a large area. For this purpose, the fabric field was lasered 300 times. A light source in the door trim backlights five segments, which show a dynamic course due to their different sizes – even when the vehicle is unlocked and locked. The illuminated fabric field thus combines functionality with an emotional design experience. 30 different colours are available in the MMI and increase the possibilities for individualisation.
