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I am a prospective buyer and I just got off the phone with a salesman who couldn't seem to answer this question:
what's the difference between the headlights on the new A4s?
On https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/mo...gine-trim.html we see that the Premium has "LED headlights with high-beam assist", the Plus has "Full LED headlights" and the Prestige has "Matrix-design LED headlights"
I'm not sure what the difference is between the first two trim levels but they do look different in the pictures. I thought I read in this forum that the Premium Plus has LED DRLs but the salesman contradicted that (for what that's worth).
I found a video of the matrix LED headlights for the A8 in I think the EU market and it's truly impressive but the picture shown for the US model is quite different. I didn't think the US allowed the matrix headlights yet? I found an article about "digital matrix LED headlights" for the e-tron and I think that's yet another version.
They've never seemed to fully explain these, from what I can find, but here's a guess
Premium - 8W0941011B - I find high beam assist defined as "High-beam assist increases high-beam use by automatically switching between high beams and low beams, depending on whether other vehicles are present." So it has this feature. As it's not "full LED", either low or high are Xenon/HID or other standard technology.
Premium Plus - 8W0941033F - Full LED presumable meaning LED low and high beams. (high beam assist included)
Prestige - 8W0941035G - Given the US regulations you noted, I suspect these are the Matrix LED "design" from Europe with the adaptive electronics, micro-mirrors, etc., disabled and/or fixed in place. Perhaps the same lighting capability as the Full LED. (high beam assist included) (also possible that it's just the housing "design" of the matrix LED with standard Full LED innards)
You do also get the Laser Light on the Prestige headlights (A5, I expect A4 is the same). I can see it's effect, but it's only on with high beams from an initial speed of 44 mph down to 30. The owners manual also mentions "Adaptive Lighting" ("if equipped") that references changes in the lighting based on speed. I'm not sure if that is enabled in the US, or not.
Low/high beam are always LED but the Premium LED headlight has an incandescent light bulb as turn signal, Premium Plus has the static LED turn signal and Matrix design has an animated LED turn signal and a higher lumen low/high beam than the other two.
Steve718 Good question, I have been wondering about this as well. It is a little confusing and there does not appear clarity on the website.
There appears to be something about DRLs on Premium +. I have to believe the Premium has DRL but may be less stylish or not LED.
Matrix terminology is confusing as well. I think Dirk is correct. IN European terminology matrix means always on high beams with technology used to avoid blinding oncoming drivers when needed. I don't think these are legal in US at this time. Thus, as DirkM said, I think matrix means animated turn signals.
I am also in the market really like the A4. It seems to offer a great balance of sport and comfort. What else are you cross shopping?
Rumor has it that Matrix design headlights can be converted at some time in the future to full Matrix via software update once legal. Would be a first first for Audi but there is still hope.
This shows the Premium headlights, seems like the DRL is just the low beam and not seperate
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2021 headlight differences?
