Posts by author
Hector Fratty
How expensive is good light?
Summary of Article published in the German Car Magazine “Auto-Motor und Sport“ in December 2012 )
Introduction
The well-known German car magazine “Auto-Motor und Sport” has tested the actual status of front lighting in the “dark season” in the northern parts of the world. The 12 test cars under investigation ranged from halogen systems to HID to Full-LED headlamps with 4 representatives of the premium segment and 8 models out of the compact class.
Tests comprised static lab evaluations in the Hella light tunnel, but also driving experience on curved and hilly roads.
In total 5 parameters were assessed :
– low and high beam performance in the lab test
– low and high beam performance in the driving test
– the value of adaptive lighting during driving tests.
As a maximum, 10 points were assigned per parameter, so optimum result could reach 50 points with adaptive lighting, 40 points without such function.
Premium Cars with LED Headlamps
| Audi A7 | ![]() Mercedes-Benz CLS |
BMW 6 Coupe |
Lexus GS 450h |
As a first group, full LED headlights as new evolving technology in the premium segment were compared by evaluating Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 650i Gran Coupe, Lexus GS 450 h and Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake (see table below).
All of them feature adaptive lighting enabling 50 points as highest limit. The best result with 41 points and a five stars rating was given to Mercedes.
Main winning characteristics were beam homogeneity and the soft adaptation of bending light and high beam assistant.
GaN-on-GaN: LED Revolution?
| GaN on GaN vs. conventional droop | Soraa triangular LED chip |
An American startup called Soraa are making LEDs using an innovative GaN-on-GaN process, and their first products, high-efficacy MR16
ISAL 2013: Call for papers
Symposia on Automotive Lighting have a long tradition at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. Starting in 1995 the first symposium—then
Conductive Thermoplastic Moves Heat
A new thermally conductive thermoplastic polyester from DSM, called PET XL-T, provides automotive electronics developers and designers
Audi Ex-Designer is 1st Non-Korean Kia Chief
Kia promoted their chief designer Peter Schreyer to the role of President, the first foreigner to attain the position at the company.
New LED Street Lights from Evolucia
Evolucia have launched a fresh generation of LED replacement street light heads. The new Evolucia G2 Aimed Optics LED Cobra Head
Nissan Steering Breakthrough
The “Autonomous Emergency Steering System.” offers a high level of collision avoidance capability by applying automatic braking and
Multimedia Overhaul Service from Mobis
Mobis are promoting what they describe as a “door-to-door multimedia overhaul service” to assist Hyundai and Kia owners in Korea with
US Reverse-Camera Rule Delayed
NHTSA have missed their deadline to release rules spurring automakers to outfit more cars and trucks with backup cameras. It is the latest

BMW 6 Coupe
Lexus GS 450h
