Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi R8

The innovative R8 supercar from Audi is now available for the first time with full LED headlamps. In addition to the standard Audi-signature 24-LED running lamps it's always had, this extremely expensive option (£3,590 converts to $7,100 USD) adds LED high and low beam headlamps and LED turn signals to the front fascia of the mid-engine sports car.

The latest craze in automotive lighting, LED bulbs don't utilize a filament like halogen lamps or gas plasma like HID lamps. Instead, they create light from the movement of current across a semi-conductor chip. They are smaller, more vibration resistant, and much more efficient than traditional bulbs. According to Audi, the light from the LEDs has been designed to closely resemble daylight and provides a greater contrast to be easier on the human eye. LED illumination is also designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Audi is no stranger to LED lighting - it first introduced a strip-shaped fog lamp at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2003.

[Source: Audi]

When compared to some of the other developments in automotive technology, many believe that advances in lighting haven't kept up. "Smart" lights seek to fill that void.

The technology, currently under development by Hella, employs the use of a sensor and a camera to detect vehicles in the distance. If the system identifies another car, up to 2,600 feet away, it can position the headlamp lower to cut the length of the beam and thus preventing the glare through the windshield or reflected in the mirror.

The system can detect vehicles traveling in any direction, and is even intelligent enough to identify when either vehicle is on an incline or hill. Supposedly, the system doesn't reduce the effectiveness or visibility provided by traditional headlights.

If this spells the end of misaligned lights blinding us at night, we're interested in seeing this technology come to market. But don't expect it anytime soon, as Hella maintains it won't be ready for primetime for another couple of years.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Pro-A Motors, a firm that manufactures automotive headlights has issued a recall for more than 60,000 replacement lamps. The affected combination headlights do not have the amber side reflectors as required by the federal government. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that visibility on these non-compliant units is compromised, which could contribute to the likelyhood of accidents.

The company will notify owners of the recall beginning this month, and offer to buy back the units. Automakers whose vehicles could be affected include Acura/Honda, Ford, and Toyota. A full listing of manufacturers can be found at the link.

[Sources: Detroit Free Press; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]