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2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition finally brings laser lights to America

Ahead of its premiere in Los Angeles later this month, the limited-run R8 supercar is showing off its full-LED headlights fitted with a laser high beam.

2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Nov 2, 2016 at 10:00am ET

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A couple of years ago, there was a race between Audi and BMW to launch the first production car equipped with laser lights. Audi introduced the R8 LMX special edition, but BMW ultimately beat them to the punch by being the first to deliver the plug-in hybrid i8 fitted with laser tech. The two cars never made it to the United States due to the high intensity of the laser high beams exceeding in the case of the R8 LMX by almost three times the 150,000 candelas legally allowed in the country.

Fast forward to present day, Audi is proud to announce the U.S.-bound R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition featuring full-LED headlights with a laser high beam module in each cluster. Not only is it Audi’s first model with laser technology for the U.S., but it’s also the brand’s first car to combine laser light with sweeping front turn signal indicators. The laser beam will be activated at speeds of at least 40 mph (64 kph) to assist the LED high beam and boost visibility.

2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition

Besides taking advantage of laser tech, the new special edition R8 also comes with an assortment of niceties from the Audi Exclusive catalog. These include a full leather package in a two-tone black and orange scheme, illuminated door sills with a carbon matte finish, along with an Alcantara headliner and bespoke floor mats. It’s going to be offered exclusively with a Quantum Gray paint combined with a carbon sideblade adorned by an orange stripe.

The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition will sit on high-gloss anthracite 20-inch wheels backed by standard carbon ceramic brakes. Being based on the flagship Plus version, the supercar will also employ carbon fiber on the front lip spoiler, side mirror caps, rear diffuser, and on the wing as well.

Only 25 units are planned for production and each will cost from $229,200, excluding the $1,250 destination charge. For the sake of comparison, a regular 2017MY R8 V10 Plus kicks off at $189,900 in the U.S.

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Audi will have the new special edition on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

Source: Audi

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First Drive: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus

Gallery: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition

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2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition

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Audi debuts first US production laser light on the 2017 R8 V10 plus exclusive edition

Each 2017 R8 exclusive edition comes standard equipped with full LED headlights, which are now supplemented by a laser high beam module
The R8 exclusive edition represents the full spectrum of what is available to customers through the Audi exclusive program; only 25 examples will be produced
Audi laser light is the latest production technology in a long line of lighting innovations from Audi

HERNDON, Virginia, November 2, 2016 – At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi of America will debut its first US production laser light on the 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition. The R8 exclusive edition utilizes full LED headlights, which are now supplemented by a laser high beam module in each headlight.

Each headlight contains one laser module that operates with four high intensity laser diodes. Each module bundles these diodes into a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter then transforms the blue laser beam into a very bright and pure white light. The R8 exclusive edition is also the first Audi vehicle to couple the laser light with dynamic front turn signals.

An identifying characteristic of the laser headlights is their blue light signature in the headlight housing. The laser beam pattern, which is active at speeds of 40 mph and above (when conditions permit), supplements the LED high beam and greatly enhances visibility for the driver by projecting a low and wide beam of light on the road ahead.

Audi laser light is the latest production technology in a long line of lighting innovations from the four rings. Audi pioneered LED technology with daytime running lights on the Audi A8 L W12 in 2004 and all-LED headlights on the R8 in 2008. Lighting innovations such as dynamic turn signals, Matrix LED headlights (not available in the US) and now laser high beams are prime examples of how Audi continues to set an industry standard for automotive lighting technology.

Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition

The 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition in Quantum Gray represents the full and extensive spectrum of what is available to customers through the Audi exclusive program.

Quantum Gray paintwork aside, each exclusive edition gains a titanium black-optic exterior package which includes a gloss anthracite front grille and 20-inch 10-spokeY-design wheels in high-gloss anthracite finish. The R8’s carbon sideblade gets a Solar Orange painted vertical stripe, complementing the racing shell seats, which also boast vertical orange leather elements. The full leather interior package in Black and Signal orange includes an Audi exclusive door sill trim in leather and a leather wrapped steering wheel with a Signal Orange 12 o’clock marker.

Other features include:

Full-LED headlights with laser high beam technology
Quantum Gray exterior color
Titanium Black-optic exterior package
20-inch 10-spoke-Y-design wheels in high-gloss anthracite
Carbon sideblade with Solar Orange stripe
Steering wheel with Signal Orange 12 o’clock marker
Audi exclusive Full Leather package in Black/Signal Orange
Audi exclusive customized illuminated door sills “one of 25”, Carbon matte
Audi exclusive door sill trim in Leather
Audi exclusive Alcantara® headliner w/ diamond-stitching
Audi exclusive rear panel and rear shelf in Alcantara
Audi exclusive floor mats
Audi exclusive luggage compartment trim in Alcantara
Audi Beam – R8 logo

Each R8 exclusive edition in Quantum Gray is standard equipped with fixed backrest racing shell seats, Audi carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber rear diffuser, front lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings, and fixed rear wing spoiler.

A total of 25 Exclusive Edition units will be produced with a starting MSRP of $229,200.

Above price excludes destination charge ($1,250), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

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