The Audi Q6 E-Tron will launch with new energetic lighting know-how that makes this EV smarter and safer, however the characteristic received’t be coming to the US. And earlier than you boo Audi, right here’s a actuality verify: Federal crimson tape remains to be responsible.

Audi has lengthy geared up its automobiles with adaptive matrix LED headlights that may dim or brighten as they detect oncoming mild. In different phrases, an Audi can drive with its headlights at full brightness, giving the motive force most visibility at night time, however the person LED sections can routinely dim to not blind oncoming site visitors. Here is a fast refresher on how this works.

Audi has been putting in its matrix LED know-how on some automobiles bought within the US for almost a decade, however has left the perform turned off. In Feb. 2022, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) amended Federal Motor Automobile Security Normal No. 108, permitting adaptive driving beam (ADB) lighting like Audi’s, however the ruling truly difficult issues, arguably making it tougher to activate these programs. 

“The US had a selected regulation that solely allowed for a excessive or a low beam, however nothing in between,” Audi stated in a press release. “A brand new regulation was handed that allowed for adaptive beam lighting. Nevertheless, the ruling additionally established differing necessities by way of testing and certification than the globally accepted and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) knowledgeable resolution. That is the answer now we have supplied outdoors of the US since 2012.”

“The brand new regulation requires completely different testing procedures, methodologies, and standards than the remainder of the world and it seems no present programs can meet these necessities,” Audi added.

Apparently, security teams cautioned NHTSA towards this very factor years in the past. “We’re involved that particular parts of the [amendment] will unnecessarily stop producers from implementing ADB programs that absolutely notice their potential to maximise visibility and reduce glare,” the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security stated in a 2018 petition. 

“Our lighting commonplace, FMVSS No. 108, has lengthy balanced the seeing wants of drivers whereas limiting glare to others,” NHTSA stated in a press release.

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The Q6 E-Tron expands on Audi’s matrix-beam know-how by providing energetic lighting. If geared up with this feature, the Q6 E-Tron can change between eight completely different entrance operating mild designs, a few of which have a twinkling impact that you just received’t instantly discover, however have a look at the lights lengthy sufficient and it turns into obvious. Ditto the rear; the OLED taillights have this similar shimmering look, which is one thing no different automaker provides.

However there’s a security angle, too. If the Audi Q6 E-Tron’s navigation system detects a site visitors jam or accident forward, it might change the rear OLED show to indicate a warning triangle, alerting the drivers behind you that one thing’s occurring up forward. Equally, when the Q6 E-Tron is in its automated parallel parking mode, the automotive’s taillights will put up this signature together with the blinker, letting folks know you’re backing into that area.

These small features don’t drastically improve Audi’s matrix lighting, however they’re a step in a brand new path. Within the meantime, the US-spec Q6 E-Tron can have completely different LED operating mild signatures accessible, they’re simply static – you realize, “regular burning.” If and when the US ever evolves its lighting requirements to match the remainder of the world, Audi says it might activate the total matrix characteristic set for 1000’s of automobiles, together with older fashions. Right here’s hoping.