Audi has confirmed the world premiere of its new A8 will be broadcast on Audi TV on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. The third generation A8 will introduce Audi’s new Matrix LED headlights and an innovative new turn signal, using lighting elements that illuminate in a defined sequence.

Each headlight contains 18 light-emitting diodes arranged in a strip that is subdivided into seven blocks. Each tail light contains 24 LEDs in eight segments, which are used to dynamically indicate the turning direction.

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During flashing, the blocks are sequentially activated at 20 millisecond intervals, from the inside outwards in the desired turning direction. After 150 milliseconds, all segments are bright and for another 250 milliseconds they illuminate with full intensity.

Afterwards, the turn signals go dark before repeating the lighting sequence again.

The main beam of the Matrix LED headlights contains 25 light-emitting diodes, which generate a highly variable high-beam light. Using the the on-board camera to detect other vehicles ahead, the A8’s lights mask the relevant sections of the high-beam by dimming or shutting off individual diodes. This preserves the high-beam illumination (say for lighting objects in the distance) while avoiding dazzling oncoming vehicles.

Audi’s innovative lighting system features navigation-based cornering lights, and in cooperation with night vision assistant, can be used to warn the driver of pedestrians in the dark.

The new A8 will be shown first on Audi TV before making its debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

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