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When will the Model S get LED headlights?

caps04

Member
Aug 14, 2014
282
110
NJ USA
Not that I've seen and speculation is futile. Some things I expected Tesla to release shortly (like center console) has taken a long time and others much more quickly (autopilot hardware).
 

Cyclone

Cyclonic Member ((.oO))
Jan 12, 2015
5,056
1,141
Charlotte, NC
thegruff, I realize you are across the pond and regulations are different there, but in the U.S., (to my knowledge), LED headlights are still not approved for legal use. The ancillary lights like fog, cornering, brake, DRLs are, but the primary headlight is not (again, to my knowledge). Personally, I don't expect Tesla to release LED headlights until either a) they are legal in the U.S., or b) they are REQUIRED in another market (such as the U.K.).
 
, but in the U.S., (to my knowledge), LED headlights are still not approved for legal use.

What about the Lexus CT200H and more frequently : the 2015 Toyota Corolla. I don't know about the US but here in Canada, we usually get the Us models and the 2015 Corolla has LED Headlights.

Edit : yep, the US model has LED Headlights. See here.
Edit2 : and all of Acura's lineup with "Jewel Eye™ LED headlights"
 

Max*

Charging
Apr 8, 2015
6,670
3,719
NoVa
thegruff, I realize you are across the pond and regulations are different there, but in the U.S., (to my knowledge), LED headlights are still not approved for legal use. The ancillary lights like fog, cornering, brake, DRLs are, but the primary headlight is not (again, to my knowledge). Personally, I don't expect Tesla to release LED headlights until either a) they are legal in the U.S., or b) they are REQUIRED in another market (such as the U.K.).

Audi does Full LED headlights on the higher end trims for their cars in the US.
 

Cyclone

Cyclonic Member ((.oO))
Jan 12, 2015
5,056
1,141
Charlotte, NC
Well I am more than happy to be wrong! :)

I must have missed when this became acceptable. I do recall an article recently about the same issues with high-beams. The Corolla has "
  • LED low-beam headlights with halogen high beams
".

Perhaps I misremembered because of that article. So then back to thegruf's question, when Tesla?!? :)
 

arijaycomet

Member
Dec 18, 2014
610
210
Cleveland, Ohio
Plenty of cars have LED lighting. There is an ALL-LED option for most of the new Audi vehicles (my 2014 S6 had this, amazing!). I'm sure Tesla is working on it, and my guess is that they are testing it (those photos we all saw) more so for the Model X than anything. But, IMO, there are going to be HUGE changes/upgrades in the Model X that the S won't have at least not right away. My best guess: Tesla will release a HUGE reskin/update to the Model S later this year or early next year, to bring it up to speed with the Model X. Expect the X, however, to be "supreme being" for at least a few months, to help keep interest and get new orders going.
 

Thud

Member
Jun 25, 2014
265
66
Atlanta
Our Acura MDX has full LED's too, which are now standard for all Acura models. It's only a matter of time- I suspect it'll happen once the Model X starts getting produced or shortly after, because I'm sure a lot of headlight components will be shared.

They may be an interim period where some Model S's are shipped with only 1 LED headlight and 1 Xenon light due to supply issues. :)

LED's are cheap these days, I don't know why it's still a high-priced option on some luxury makes.
 

3s-a-charm

Active Member
Jul 18, 2014
1,916
821
Calgary, Canada
thegruff, I realize you are across the pond and regulations are different there, but in the U.S., (to my knowledge), LED headlights are still not approved for legal use. The ancillary lights like fog, cornering, brake, DRLs are, but the primary headlight is not (again, to my knowledge). Personally, I don't expect Tesla to release LED headlights until either a) they are legal in the U.S., or b) they are REQUIRED in another market (such as the U.K.).
You're thinking about laser headlights. LED are approved.
 

donaldp

Member
Mar 11, 2015
22
0
San Diego, CA 92120
The LED lights that are not approved in the good old USofA are the matrix LED headlights that Audi offers. Matrix LED lights allow you to use your high beam LED lights 100% of the time. individual LED bulbs turn off when the beam of your lights shine on cars in front of you and also when the beam hits oncoming traffic. The individual high beam LED's are continually turning on and off like a symphonic piece so as not to blind the cars in front and the oncoming traffic. The lights turn when the car turns based on GPS navigation, not based on turning the steering wheel and direction of travel. There are many youtube videos to watch them in action. Quite amazing.
 

AC1K

Member
Mar 18, 2013
473
27
Calgary Alberta Canada
i would hope the Model S gets it soon, even a base model corolla has LED headlights (yes a BASE MODEL!)

my neighbor just got a corolla to boot around in to get rid of the dying X5 he had, there are quite a few things included as base that even high end cars do not have.
 

neroden

Model S Owner and Frustrated Tesla Fan
Apr 25, 2011
14,676
62,627
Ithaca, NY, USA
That's so odd. I keep forgetting that the Model S has non-LED headlights. LED headlights save a bit of energy and therefore increase raange a little, so I'd expect them to be standard.
 

droper

Member
Apr 14, 2015
15
6
switzerland
in Switzerland the xenon headlights have only 25w instead of 35w for legal reason... So i'm really excited for the LED headlights. Do you guys thing they will be available soon so it is worth to wait to place the order?
 

3s-a-charm

Active Member
Jul 18, 2014
1,916
821
Calgary, Canada
i would hope the Model S gets it soon, even a base model corolla has LED headlights (yes a BASE MODEL!)

my neighbor just got a corolla to boot around in to get rid of the dying X5 he had, there are quite a few things included as base that even high end cars do not have.
Wow! Didn't know that.
 

ecarfan

Well-Known Member
Sep 21, 2013
19,186
13,841
San Mateo, CA
See 2014 Toyota Corolla Review: Theres a Reason This Car Is a Top Seller - Motor Review

Quote: "The car comes standard with LED headlights. These lights are brighter than normal lights, making it easier to see road signs and animals at night. They also help reduce driver fatigue because they are brighter. Finally, they prove that advanced lighting technology does not have to be expensive, and hopefully other manufacturers follow Toyota’s suit."

Kind of a shock that the Model S needs to catch up to a low cost Toyota!
 

MsElectric

Active Member
Oct 11, 2014
1,604
18
New York
See 2014 Toyota Corolla Review: Theres a Reason This Car Is a Top Seller - Motor Review

Quote: "The car comes standard with LED headlights. These lights are brighter than normal lights, making it easier to see road signs and animals at night. They also help reduce driver fatigue because they are brighter. Finally, they prove that advanced lighting technology does not have to be expensive, and hopefully other manufacturers follow Toyota’s suit."

Kind of a shock that the Model S needs to catch up to a low cost Toyota!

And I bet the Corolla also has functioning cup holders :)
 

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