These are exciting times if you happen to live in Germany and want to buy an all-new compact executive sedan. The Audi A4 has been revived in such a dramatic way that it puts BMW and Mercedes on notice.
This 4-door might not be as beautiful as a Maserati Ghibli, but the technology package is as good as any other Audi. In fact, we haven't been able to find anything on the A8 that you can't buy on the A4… except for a V8.
The latest commercial for the A4 targets the people with Nyctophobia by showcasing the way in which this sedan lights its way through the darkness.
With both the regular LED headlights and the Matrix LED system, the low beam resembles an eye, its eleven light diodes requiring only 20 watts of power. The high beams have an additional 12 light emitting diodes with three reflectors. A camera installed on the back of the interior mirror provides the data, and a control unit switches the LEDs on and off individually as required or dims them in 64 stages.
Several million possible combinations are there to ensure the lights illuminate the road with a quality similar to daylight, but without blinding oncoming road users.
Audi's system also ensures that less light is directed at road signs to ensure the driver isn't blinded or distracted.
The bend lighting of the Matrix LED headlights is created by shifting the light's main focus. Many headlights turn with the steering wheel, so what's different about this one? Well, it works in combination with the optional MMI Navigation plus and moves before the steering wheel is turned.
Also included in the package are dynamic indicators that use a series of LED switched sequentially from inside to outside in the direction of turn. The system debuted on the A8 facelift and it's nice to see it becoming available on the second smallest Audi sedan.
The only think we can't tell you yet is the price of the Matrix LED option, but we think it's at least €2,500.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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