Summary of Article published in the German Car Magazine “Auto-Motor und Sport“ in December 2012 )
Introduction
The well-known German car magazine “Auto-Motor und Sport” has tested the actual status of front lighting in the “dark season” in the northern parts of the world. The 12 test cars under investigation ranged from halogen systems to HID to Full-LED headlamps with 4 representatives of the premium segment and 8 models out of the compact class.
Tests comprised static lab evaluations in the Hella light tunnel, but also driving experience on curved and hilly roads.
In total 5 parameters were assessed :
– low and high beam performance in the lab test
– low and high beam performance in the driving test
– the value of adaptive lighting during driving tests.
As a maximum, 10 points were assigned per parameter, so optimum result could reach 50 points with adaptive lighting, 40 points without such function.
Premium Cars with LED Headlamps
| Audi A7 |  Mercedes-Benz CLS |
 BMW 6 Coupe |
 Lexus GS 450h |
As a first group, full LED headlights as new evolving technology in the premium segment were compared by evaluating Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 650i Gran Coupe, Lexus GS 450 h and Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake (see table below).
All of them feature adaptive lighting enabling 50 points as highest limit. The best result with 41 points and a five stars rating was given to Mercedes.
Main winning characteristics were beam homogeneity and the soft adaptation of bending light and high beam assistant.