“IQ.Light – LED matrix headlight”. For the third Touareg generation, one of the world’s best headlight systems was developed together with HELLA, the German automobile supplier: the optional “IQ.Light LED matrix headlight”. It is impressive with an interactive light control that makes night rides more comfortable and safer. The Volkswagen designers and engineers together with the team from HELLA succeeded in completely merging the LED light system with a three dimensional design consisting of the headlights, daytime running lights, blinker and cornering light with the superior and charismatic front end of the Touareg and designing an distinctive daytime and night light design.
128 LEDs per headlight. The LED headlights use a matrix made of light spots – individual LEDs that can be activated. The matrix of the dipped beam is made up of a printed circuit with 48 LEDs while the circuit board of the main beam is fitted with 27 LEDs. The LEDs in the dipped and main beam module are arranged similar to a chessboard. There are various LEDs in addition to the total of 75 LEDs of the dipped and main beam. Including the surround lighting as well as the so-called signal functions (daytime running light and elevated side light as well as animated turn signal), there are a total of 128 LEDs per headlight. The Touareg therefore uses the power of a total of 256 LEDs in the various segments of the left and right headlights at the front to make the night safe and as bright as day.
Intelligent light functions. Various intelligent light functions from the electronics of the Touareg are activated using the 75 LEDs of the dipped and main beam as well as seven 75 front end LEDs (in five reflection chambers) and three cornering light LEDs. The corresponding computer uses the signals of the front camera, the digital card data of the navigation system, the GPS signals, the steering wheel angle as well as the current speed to precisely activate the individual LEDS for the best light in a split second. The driver switches on the main beam headlight via “Dynamic Light Assist”. The Touareg manages the rest itself – dim, turn up, city lighting, optimum motorway light or offroad light. As the new matrix headlights operate with the highest light output, people, objects, other vehicles and animals are made visible that would be less recognisable and less visible earlier on with conventional headlight systems in night-time darkness. The increase in light output and optimised illumination is clearly noticeable. An interesting point: The comparison between the very good xenon headlights of the predecessor and the new Touareg LED system results in a range increase of more than 100 metres for the “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlights” for the main beam. The interactive headlights already operate similar to those in a car with an autonomous driving mode. For example, the front camera registers brightly illuminated areas as “residential”. In this case the Touareg automatically switches from main beam to low beam. Using the digital card data and GPS signals of the navigation system, the Touareg with “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlights” also recognises a change from right-hand to left-hand traffic. If a trip starts at Dover in England and ends in Calais in France, the system automatically adapts the light distribution when the mainland is reached. Details of the light functions of the “IQ.Light – LED matrix headlight”:
- City lighting: A particularly wide light beam with a focus on the sides; active up to 50 km/h
- Dipped headlight: Dipped beam with wide light distribution in the direction of the kerbside
- Side light: Permanent main beam on country roads without blinding other road users.
- Motorway dipped beam: Narrower light beam focussed on a wide reach for high speeds
- Motorway light: Narrower light beam focussed on a wide reach for high speeds if no other road users are blinded
- Overtaking light: Precise main beam for overtaking procedures without blinding road users. The system recognises that the Touareg pulls out to the side. This side area is now illuminated more intensely.
- Main beam: Manually activated main beam to deliberately use all 75 LEDs of the headlight for maximum illumination. In contrast to the motorway light, the light beam is wider.
- Poor weather light: Reduces blinding for the driver and other road users on wet roads. It is activated when the rain sensor detects rainfall. The annoying reflections of the headlight on the wet, reflective road surface directly in front of the driver are reduced by the “IQ.Light” reducing illumination intensity in this area
- Sign glare control: Precise suppression of the main beam on signs so that the reflected light of the headlight does not blind the driver.
- Offroad light: A particularly powerful dipped beam focussed on the width to be able to recognise obstacles on terrain.
- Spotlight (for “Night Vision”): Focussed illumination of people detected by “Night Vision” (infrared camera) without dazzling to make them easier to see for the driver
LED tail light clusters. LED technology is also used for the tail light clusters. The design and the LED contours gives the rear area a distinctive nightlight signature. Prominently visible in daytime and at night and equipped with an optional signal effect: the brake light with distinctive changeover of the LED areas (”click-click effect”). The rear turn signals also have an animated design (”wiping”) in the top version.