Matrix headlight implementation will occur when the relevant North American government agencies codify new regulations that will allow Audi to enable the matrix functionality. The US mandatory public comment window has closed. There is, however, a potential glitch that could affect implementation in the US—NHTSA might not approve the Audi matrix technology as presently designed, and could require Audi to change some of its current matrix specs. Still an open issue at this point, with no timing announced yet.

Your D5 already comes equipped with the active air suspension —AAS— which is a four corner electronic control platform (ECP) that analyzes the road and vehicle conditions every 1 to 25 milliseconds to adjust suspension components to adjust ride comfort and cornering dynamics. The system monitors vehicle ride height, roll and pitch movement, available traction of the road surface and the current state of the car’s driving dynamics. This is a standard feature of the new D5 and works in the background with no driver control of the system. If no fault warning appears on the VC display, then it’s working as designed. This is NOT the optional Predictive active suspension—now called the AI ACTIVE SUSPENSION with Predictive active body control—which adds a sophisticated electromechanical adaptation control feature that reads and senses oncoming road imperfections to instantaneously raise and cushion the car’s ride characteristics to off-set most harsh roadway conditions (potholes, divits, speed bumps, etc.). This is still a delayed availability feature, and no pricing released on this yet.

Unfortunately, this is kind of old news. My understanding is that while NHTSA has given its approval regarding the concept of allowing the matrix technology, they now plan on establishing US-specific matrix safety standards—and building a testing facility/protocol to gauge the effectiveness of the newly established standards—which may differ from what has previously been approved in Europe and what Audi has already developed and is currently installing on their vehicles. If different, can Audi remedy through a software adjustment, or would it require a completely different production design? After this has been worked out Audi would then have to go through a testing sequence for its US matrix certification. Perhaps we’re looking at late 2019, at the earliest (?). Hope I’m being overly pessimistic here. At any rate, I’d still order the Lighting package with the currently neutered matrix units—and hope for the best.

I don’t know for a fact, but I’d be surprised if the matrix function could be enabled without a direct connection to Audi’s tech system. Doubtful they would have been able to import cars with these units in North America if anyone could turn on this feature with market available consumer products. With the AW Q8 posts re: VCDS and OBD-Eleven, I haven’t seen where anyone has attempted/accomplished enabling their headlights’ matrix functionality.