Earlier this year, BMW announced that the brand new i8 hybrid plug-in sportscar will become available with optional laser headlamps, an industry first that the Germans are probably very proud of.
However, BMW is not the only manufacturer to use this cool feature, as Audi has a laser “vision” technology of its own. But they’re not planning to introduce it on their road cars just yet. They will be using it on the brand new 2014 R18 e-tron quattro race car that will be competing in next year’s World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The new laser light, which was unveiled at the “Audi Sport Finale” this week, complements the main LED headlamps of the R18. “A blue laser beam backlights a yellow phosphorus crystal lens through which the light beam is then emitted. This new light source provides even more homogenous lighting of the road,” Audi Motorsport explains.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will become the first race car to use laser light in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“By using this new lighting technology Audi is setting yet another milestone at Le Mans. Laser light will also open up completely new possibilities for our production models in the future. Once more, motorsport at Audi accelerates a new technical development for our customers,” said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg.
The new laser light, which was unveiled at the “Audi Sport Finale” this week, complements the main LED headlamps of the R18. “A blue laser beam backlights a yellow phosphorus crystal lens through which the light beam is then emitted. This new light source provides even more homogenous lighting of the road,” Audi Motorsport explains.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will become the first race car to use laser light in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“By using this new lighting technology Audi is setting yet another milestone at Le Mans. Laser light will also open up completely new possibilities for our production models in the future. Once more, motorsport at Audi accelerates a new technical development for our customers,” said Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg.