[4Rings]

The 2021 e-tron and e-tron sportback will be the first production vehicles to offer Digital Matrix LED (DML) headlights as optional equipment.

Audi Newsroom

media.audiusa.com

• Audi demonstrates leadership role with next-generation lighting technology
• Comprised of 1.3 million micromirrors per headlight, Digital Matrix LED headlights operate like movie projectors on the road
• At introduction, headlights offer five unique welcome and exit lighting signatures with motion graphics

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 14, 2020 – As lighting technology advances, Audi continues leading the way, now offering Digital Matrix LED (DML) headlights as optional equipment in 2021 e-tron and e-tron Sportback models. This is the first time DML headlights have been mass-produced for a production vehicle.

Comprised of 1.3 million micromirrors per headlight, DML headlights essentially operate like movie projectors, emitting tiny unique particles or adaptable light. At market introduction, this lighting technology offers a selection of five different welcome/leaving animations when the vehicle is parked, each with unique motion graphics and text selected through a vehicle’s MMI touchscreen display. With DML headlights – and other innovations like a capacitive-touch steering wheel and Integrated Toll Module® technology – the Audi e-tron lineup continues to lead the brand in offering the latest technologies to customers.

Audi’s innovate lighting technology provides customers with a confidence-inspiring drive that can illuminate their road ahead. Beyond the welcome/leaving animations currently available for U.S. vehicles, the full feature set of DML headlights includes:

• A 50-meter “light carpet” that is designed to keep light within the driver’s lane and extends the carpet left or right when changing lanes and helps to avoid a “blinding” effect for oncoming traffic
• Low-beam curved lighting that bends below oncoming traffic and can help illuminate people or objects on the side of the road, which are otherwise difficult to detect
• Electrostatically controlled micromirrors that can adjust light beam pixels up to 5,000 times per second
• On-ground light arrows that place the vehicle’s tires within its lane

Although the total functionality of Digital Matrix LED headlights is not yet fully available in the U.S., the brand continues to work with government officials and authorities in an effort to do so for U.S. consumers.

To see the full functionality of the European-specification DML headlights in various conditions, check it out here.

The 2021 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are available at dealerships nationwide starting this month.

 

[Bhuna50]

Here in the UK, these are standard on the higher range Vorsprung and optional on the S Line (Etrons) at moment.

To give you a guide for the optional price, here in the UK its £3175

 

[JNealCox]

My 2019 Audi E tron 55 SUV came installed with "Matrix-Design headlights w/animation". How is the Sportback different?

 

[Bhuna50]

The Matrix LED are just animations in themselves - ie the lights produce the fancy sweeping etc.

Digital Matrix lights actually project onto the floor a design - the 4 rings, the e-tron logo etc - during the starting up and switching off of the car - you can set what animation projection you want.

So basically its animated lights themselves (Matrix LED) or animated light projections (Digital)

In addition to the fancy bits, they have a more defined lighting as you go along - see the video here Digital Matrix Lights - Audi

 

[JNealCox]

Well, My SUV has the 4-ring puddle lights. LED-only adaptive headlights are still illegal in the US.

 

[jaygrovr]

Does anyone know if I purchase the digital matrix projection headlamps, will I be able to install them into a 2019 etron prestige? Will they function?

LED headlights are not illegal in the US. And you can purchase the etron (both sportback and normal etron) with the digital matrix projection headlamps right now, so not sure what you are talking about @JNealCox . They dont have all their functionality yet with the magic carpet yet, but eventually it will be alllowed as it promotes safety.

 

[JNealCox]

Does anyone know if I purchase the digital matrix projection headlamps, will I be able to install them into a 2019 etron prestige? Will they function?

LED headlights are not illegal in the US. And you can purchase the etron (both sportback and normal etron) with the digital matrix projection headlamps right now, so not sure what you are talking about @JNealCox . They dont have all their functionality yet with the magic carpet yet, but eventually it will be alllowed as it promotes safety.

Yes, you get the LED lights in the US, but you can only use them in a configuration that mimics the "bright and dim" settings of traditional headlights. None of the "smart adaptive headlight" features are enabled in the US. Audi has been shipping cars with the LED headlights to the US for years, but the full functionality is turned off. The NTSB has been sitting on approval since 2013.

NHTSA Still Hasn't Ruled on Adaptive Headlights

Audi, Toyota and others are in limbo as the regulatory body drags its feet on brighter, safer, smarter headlights.

www.autoweek.com

 

[Mllcb42]

but eventually it will be alllowed as it promotes safety

I wouldn't hold your breath. The German manufacturers have been trying to get the US to change the lighting laws to allow lights like these for at least five years.

 

[jaygrovr]

I still would pay for them to get the logos projected from the car when parked. Would they operate and fit in my 2019 if I was able to get them?