A recent report from BMW Blog has quashed rumors that the laser headlights would be arriving in the U.S. market by fall this year.
Citing a source from BMW North America, the report noted the BMW i8 laser headlights has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yet. In the U.S. lasers are filed under the category of medical devices, which is regulated by the FDA.
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BMW i8 laser headlights. (Photo courtesy of BMW) |
The optional laser lights cost EUR 9,500 (US $ 10,645) will come with extra costs in the U.S. market.
Compared to LED headlights, the laser lights has a high beam range of up to 600 meters, nearly double that of LED high beams. According to the report, laser lights also is 30% more efficient than LEDs.
BMW laser headlights shipped to U.S. will be modified so it will be only twice as strong as regular headlights, in contrast the European versions will be three times stronger. Moreover, the U.S. laser headlights will not come with blue lights and automatically turn off for incoming cars.
The laser lights scheduled launch on the U.S. market in November will be delayed, said a BMW North America spokesperson.