With the new A5 models, Audi is underlining its leading role in lighting design and technology in its class. The new active digital light signature was introduced with the Audi Q6 e-tron and is now available for the Audi A5 family. It gives onlookers a new impression of vibrancy and points the way to the future of Audi lighting technology.

The optional digital OLED technology extends the range of functions many times over. This significantly contributes to road safety, as demonstrated by the communication light in the digital OLED combination rear lights. The second-generation digital OLED combination rear lights take the new A5 family to the next level in terms of lighting design, functionality, and road safety.

The Audi A5 also sets new standards in terms of personalization. With eight selectable digital light signatures included with the optional Matrix LED headlights and the top-of-the-range digital OLED rear lights 2.0, customers can design the appearance of their A5 according to their preferences. This customization can be easily done via the Audi MMI touch display and demonstrated via the myAudi app.

"Audi recognized the potential for using OLED technology in rear lights at an early stage and is the only car manufacturer to have consistently developed and digitalized this lighting technology," says Stephan Berlitz, Head of Lighting Development. "Digital OLEDs are more efficient, lighter, and more homogeneous than conventional lighting systems," he continues, giving a glimpse into the future: "Due to their strong contrast, they will gradually become exterior displays and thus an essential enabler for communication with the surroundings."

The active digital light signature
Headlights and rear lights that appear alive at first glance – this is how customers can imagine the active digital light signature of the A5/S5 Sedan1 and the A5/S5 Avant2. A software module in one of the domain computers of the Audi A5 makes this form of light signature possible. The second-generation digital OLED rear lights generate a new image several times per second using six digital OLED panels with 364 segments and a specially developed algorithm. This conveys an impression of liveliness and personal interaction with the car and becomes visible through the constant movement.

In the Matrix LED headlights, the active digital light signature is created by the interaction of the algorithm with 33 dimmable segments. Thanks to the perfect symbiosis between the lighting design and the new function, the light in the new Audi A5 is more vivid than ever. All digital OLED segments in the rear lights are used for this purpose. The individual light segments interact so that the light signature does not vary in overall light intensity.

Second-generation digital OLED combination rear lights
With the next generation of digital OLED technology in the rear lights of the Audi A5/S5 Sedan1 and A5/S5 Avant2, Audi is significantly expanding the range of functions, design options, and particularly road safety. For the first time, the digital OLED rear lights can communicate with the immediate surroundings (car-to-x). Compared to the first generation, the number of segments per digital OLED panel has increased from six to around 60. A set of six digital OLED panels with a total of 364 segments are used in the rear lights of the A5 models.

The new E³ electronic architecture makes it possible to control this significantly increased number of segments via a separate software module on one of the domain computers. The increase in segments per digital OLED panel paves the way for developing the combination rear light into a display that further enhances car-to-x communication and road safety.

This innovative digital OLED technology 2.0 creates the conditions for a totally new rear light design and ensures unique homogeneity and very high contrast in the display. Moreover, the display panel does not require additional lighting sources and is, therefore, very efficient. Together, these properties break down the boundaries between two- and three-dimensionality in design once and for all. Uniquely, the brake lights in the Audi A5 sit behind the individual digital OLED panels. Together with the LED tail light and the typically segmented digital light signature, this creates a striking three-dimensional element that extends across the vehicle’s full width, including the LED light strip. Audi creates three-dimensional shapes on two-dimensional surfaces. In addition to an expressive LED light strip integrated at the rear, 3D glass creates a successful separation between the tail light signature and the other light functions.

Audi is also taking an innovative approach to the front of the vehicle. The digital daytime running lights with LED technology and the headlight module are optically separated horizontally. This ensures greater clarity in the design and makes the vehicle appear lower overall.

The individual LEDs in the digital daytime running lights – 52 in total – were precisely tailored by the designers to the design philosophy of the new A5. They stretch across the entire width of the Matrix LED headlights. The area of the digital daytime running lights – at the top of the headlights – is a prismatic structure arranged in two rows, one above the other. The design across the width of the headlights creates a link between the Matrix LED headlights and the exterior. In this way, they speak a common language.

Intelligent headlights and rear lights
Audi has also taken the safety functions to a new level. The proximity detection familiar in the first generation of digital OLED rear lights has been extended in the A5. Second-generation digital OLED rear lights include a communication light that, for example, warns other road users of accidents and breakdowns. In addition to the regular tail light graphics, the communication light in the rear lights displays a specific static tail light signature with integrated warning symbols in critical driving or traffic situations.

The brake lights in the Audi A5 are located behind the individual digital OLED panels – a unique arrangement at Audi. This creates a striking three-dimensional body with the LED tail light and the signature segmented digital light signature extending across the vehicle’s full width, including the LED light strip.

The communication light of the Audi A5 obtains its data from the swarm. Its second-generation digital OLED rear lights activate the communication light with warning symbols for Emergency Assist, RECAS (rear-end collision alert signal), hazard lights, emergency call (eCall), breakdown call (bCall), and during emergency braking.

The communication light also adds an extra dimension to the exit warning system functionality. Previously, it only informed the occupants exiting the car if another vehicle or bicycle was approaching. Now, the exit warning system also warns road users coming from the rear using a signature specially adapted for this situation, which lights up within the tail light graphics. In this way, the Audi A5 considers other road users in its safety concept and increases road safety for everyone.

In addition, the communication light uses a specific light signature at the front and rear to indicate the status of the vehicle's parking assistant when it is in an automated parking process. This makes it clear to road users in the immediate vicinity that the vehicle is in a safe state.

Digital light signatures in the MMI and the myAudi app
With the optional Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lights 2.0, the new Audi A5 offers an entirely new form of personalization thanks to eight digital light signatures. Drivers have two options for selecting a signature – via the myAudi app or directly in the vehicle via the MMI. When purchasing the Matrix LED headlights and the second-generation digital OLED rear lights, a total of eight signatures are included. A coming-home and leaving-home staging is coordinated with the respective digital light signature. If the myAudi app is used, customers can also select their personal light signatures when they are not in the vehicle. The vehicle adopts the selected light graphics the next time it starts.

Customers can also watch the dynamic lighting scenarios of the Coming Home and Leaving Home functions displayed by the vehicle. This also applies to the digital OLED combination rear lights 2.0 communication light and proximity detection. On request, the Matrix LED headlights can provide a live demonstration of sign glare suppression and object suppression. The high beam assistant can be retrofitted via Functions on Demand. It is also an integral part of the Tech equipment package and comes as standard in the S model.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.

TrendForce 2024 Global Automotive LED Market- Lighting and Display Product Trend
Release Date:
1. PDF (180 Pages)- 30 June 2024
2. EXCEL- 30 June 2024 and 31 December 2024
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