Audi and BMW have been both busy developing laser headlights and the upcoming BMW i8 will be offered with optional laser headlights, making it obviously the first production car with laser headlights. But wait, BMW is not the first as Audi has beaten its German rival by launching the R8 LMX with laser high beams.
The R8 LMX is based on the current generation R8, that will be replaced very soon with an all-new model, developed alongside the already revealed Lamborghini Huracan.
It sort of looks like Audi’s goal was to be first here and it is all about bragging rights.
Audi was also the first with LED headlights on a production car in 2008, then last year they introduced Matrix LED headlights and now laser spot for the high beams.
The new headlights in the R8 LMX has one laser module per headlight generating a cone of light with twice the range of the all LED headlight. These laser modules are just 300 micrometers in diameter and the blue laser beam is converted into roadworthy white light with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin.
The laser spot becomes active from speeds 60 km/h (37.3 mph), supplementing the LED high beam.
These lights are bright, but safe for other drivers thanks to an intelligent camera based sensor system detecting other road users and actively adjusting the light pattern to exclude them.
Under the bonnet there are no surprises as power continues to come from a 570 hp 5.2-liter V10, taking it from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds on to a top speed of 320 km/h (198.8 mph).
Visually the special edition is distinguished with exclusive Ara Blue paint, along with different parts like the front spoiler lip, flics on the sides, engine compartment cover, mirror housings, sideblades, rear wing and the diffuser, made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer with a matte finish. At the rear the tailpipes have a high-gloss black finish.
The mostly black interior boasts plenty of Nappa leather and Alcantara with contrasting blue stitching and backrest in Ara blue similar to the exterior.
Just 99 cars will be built with prices in Germany starting from €210,000 ($289,000).
