Audi teases laser headlights of all-new R8

Audi is getting ready to introduce the all-new second-generation version of its R8 mid-engined sports car soon, and whilst leaked images of the full production model have been circulating the Internet, the company has not been discouraged from releasing its official teaser image showing the vehicle draped under a sheet exposing only its port-side headlamp cluster.

The new R8 will feature LED front illumination as standard, but buyers can specify a laser high-beam system as a cost option. With this optional enhancement, each headlight assembly is fitted with one laser module operating four high-intensity laser diodes. Each diode generates a powerful blue-light laser, which is converted into white light by a phosphor converter.

Audi claims that the advantages of laser lighting is the relative compactness of laser diodes that nevertheless generate comparatively high levels of light energy. Compared to LED high-beam headlights, laser high-beams are able to achieve double the lighting range.

Separately, Audi has also announced the opening of a new lighting competence centre based at the company