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Audi promises production laser headlights

Audi is showing off new laser headlight technology this week at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show on its Audi Sport Quattro Laserlight Concept, and most intriguingly, the automaker has plans to use the long-range lighting on production vehicles. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler tells Automotive News that this type of headlights will be used on a future production vehicle, although he did not specify any timeframe.
On the concept vehicle, the headlights employ LED low beams, while the high beams use the laserlight technology. Audi says that these lights are not only very small ("a few microns in diameter") they are also able to light the road for almost a third of a mile (1,640 feet), with three times the brightness of an LED highbeam, yet with pinpoint control. These lights have already been confirmed for use in motorsports on the 2014 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro LMP1 racecar, and the tech will eventually trickle down to road-going cars.
In addition to how long this trickle down will take, it's doubtful we'll see these lights in the US anytime soon. Audi is still working with the US Department of Transportation for approval of its LED Matrix Beam headlights, which are already sold in other markets, and the negotiations appear to be taking quite a bit of time. Automotive News also notes that the laser headlights earmarked as options on the 2015 BMW i8 will not be offered in the US, either.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron gets top grades in European crash tests [w/video]

In simplistic terms, the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid will go real far when it needs to go and stop when it needs to stop. The PHEV has now been certified to protect its occupants when they need to be protected. So there's not much more that you can ask from a vehicle. The model received a maximum five-star crash-test rating from the Euro NCAP group, receiving top marks for front, side and rear collisions. The Audi also received kudos for the "multi collision brake assist" feature, which automatically engages the brakes once the car's been in a crash so that it doesn't get into another one. The plug-in hybrid was already getting positive responses from prospective customers. Last month, Audi said it stepped up its production of the model at its German factory from 30 units a day to 50. The PHEV can travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone and another 550 miles on a full tank of gas. More impressively, it has a 157 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) rating, using the European driving cycle. Check out a video of the test and Audi's press release below and read our driving impressions here. Five stars for the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron from Euro NCAP Top marks in the front, side and rear collision categories The new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron also offers a high level of safety for children Special prize for Audi pre sense basic and multicollision brake assist system Ingolstadt, December 10, 2014 – The Euro NCAP consortium has awarded the new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron* the maximum five star rating for crash safety. This puts the first volume production plug in hybrid from Audi among the safest cars in its class. The test panel was impressed by the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron across the board: As a result the plug-in hybrid earned top marks in protecting adults and children in a front, side or rear collision. The model also passed tests of its pedestrian protection with flying colors. This year Euro NCAP additionally tested assistance systems for the first time. The A3 Sportback e-tron with Audi pre sense front and Audi active lane assist also fulfilled the stringent requirements in this category. The model received the special "Euro NCAP advanced" prize for its Audi pre sense basic passenger protection system as well as for the Audi multicollision brake assist system that comes as standard equipment. This function initiates braking automatically in case of an accident to reduce the risk of skidding and the danger of a subsequent collision.

Audi A9 Concept teased in video, new design chief tells us what to expect in LA

Audi has just dropped another teaser for the A9 Concept it'll be displaying at this month's LA Auto Show. This time around, instead of one static image, we get a tantalizing video of the showcar narrated by new Audi design chief Marc Lichte.
In terms of the A9, we get a better look at the body form than we've yet seen, and we also sneak a peek at its massive, blocky, turbine-style wheels that the conceptual flagship will wear in Los Angeles.
Lichte also takes this video opportunity as a chance to say how-do-you-do to the enthusiast community, commenting not only on his vision for the A9, but also offering up his bona fides in terms of family racing and art heritage. Get to know the man behind the car behind the sheet, here.