FallenBMWer

Will I experience markedly better nighttime illumination in a 2014 A7 or A8 with full LEDs than in my current 2005 A8?

2k6blacka8

Yes the newer LED's are significantly brighter than the stock 05-10 LED bulbs. I did see people change to a brighter LED bulb on an 05-10 but still not as bright as the current ones. Some states won't recommend using those lights as primary night illumination.

jakematic

Absolutely - night and day difference, pun intended.
The LED illumination is very pure white light, intended to mimic the sun, and has an incredible range.
Width of the beams is incredible too, making it far easier to read road signs.

Even the DRL's are so bright in full daylight that the vehicle gets noticed a lot which I consider a good safety feature.
Following my brother home from picking up a new car for his wife I 'accidentally' hit the high beam and he said it nearly blinded him at over a mile ahead of me.

Personally I'd never go back to non-LED and am looking forward to the matrix LED when it is approved, and the laser concept lamps in the future.

EDIT: Should have mention my last Audi was a 2005 A8L with BiXenon

1Wasserwerks

The demonstration of the matrix lighting is awesome! I've seen the video before, then found out that they were not approved in the U.S.
Booo!

mishar

+1 Booo! But only if it really works like in that ANIMATION.

jakematic

It really works.
Trust me, there are a lot of us waiting with bated breath for the approval.
We still aren't certain if the 2015 will get matrix or not.

The ridiculous part is it not approved because there is no High/Low beam switch according to the gooberment.... sigh.

1Wasserwerks

I think there were also light size requirements and the fact that the whole light assembly had oscillating patterns which are not allowed either.

mishar

To thrust you I must know that you tried it personally. I already thrust you that you thrust Audi.

TSHong

I've been behind a couple with LEDs and they do have a wide light pattern. The only thing I want to know is with HIDs, most people prefer 4300K temp for best lighting but LED's are 5700K and closest temp to daylight. I've always liked 5000K temp because 4300K seemed a little to yellow for me.