Hella Supplies Full-LED Lighting Technology for the Audi A6
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Knowledge Base: Audi Buyer's Guide
PLYMOUTH, MI--April 14, 2011: Hella, a leading supplier of automotive lighting and electronics, is providing an optional full-LED headlamp system with adaptive front lighting for the 2011 Audi A6.
Hella's "intelligent" LED lighting technology is one of four headlight systems the company supplies to Audi for the A6. Relying on 64 LEDs to provide light distribution for a variety of driving situations, Hella's system generates light that is considerably closer to actual daylight than light from other systems, improving driver vision during evening hours and increasing overall comfort and safety.
"The Audi A6's sporty appearance is enhanced by LED lighting as well," notes Steffen Pietzonka, vice president of marketing for Hella's automotive lighting group. "Our LED system clearly contributes to the distinctive styling that differentiates the Audi A6 from other luxury cars."
The Audi A6's LED headlamps automatically create light patterns uniquely suited for city, country and highway driving situations, as well as for adverse weather conditions. Settings to reduce glare in fog or heavy rain, for example, provide a broader spectrum of light than traditional fog lamps.
"Hella's work with Audi on the A6 continues a partnership that began in 2008, when the company was chosen to provide the first full-LED headlamp system for the Audi A8," Pietzonka points out. "Within a relatively tight front-end space, our design engineers have combined a sophisticated lighting design with a truly 'intelligent' lighting system."
Drivers have a choice of four Hella headlight systems on the A6, including a halogen system, static as well as camera-controlled high-intensity discharge (HID) systems and a full-LED system.
Hella's dynamic headlamp-leveling feature is offered with the Audi A6's HID and LED systems. The feature adjusts for changes in headlamp angle caused by braking, rapid acceleration or road conditions to maintain optimal visibility for the driver without blinding oncoming traffic.
The Audi A6's HID lighting, in both static and AFS versions, showcases Hella's lighting and electronics expertise as well, Pietzonka adds.
With the company's camera-controlled HID lighting systems, a windshield camera detects oncoming vehicles. The system adapts the shape of the front headlight beams to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, while providing the best possible range of light for all driving conditions. If the road ahead is clear, the system automatically switches to high beam. Wide illumination of the road continues until other vehicles come into view.
Vehicles equipped with the camera controlled HID lighting system also use data from rain and light sensors, as well as from the vehicle's navigation system, to further control vehicle lighting and enhance driver safety. Based on navigation-system input, for example, the system widens a car's front-lighting pattern when approaching traffic intersections to provide a broader range of vision and help the driver detect pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles.
In addition to headlight systems, Hella supplies the Audi A6 with a unique 24 GHz radar sensor system. First used on the Audi Q7, it supports the car's lane-change assist function by monitoring traffic to the rear and on both sides of the vehicle.
About Hella: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. develops and manufactures lighting and electronics components and systems for the automotive industry. Its joint venture companies also produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle electric systems. In addition, Hella has one of the largest automotive aftermarket organizations in the world, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries.
Hella Group sales were $4.98 billion in fiscal year 2009-2010. Hella is one of the top 50 automotive parts suppliers in the world and one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. Nearly 23,000 people work at 70 locations in more than 30 countries, including more than 3,500 research and development engineers and technicians. Additional information is available at Hella.
