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Call me a bit of a nut, but ever since the 1990 accord started integrating headlights and taillights into one, I've been a big fan of mfg doing unique things with their head/taillight designs (Lexus Nike swoosh, bmw halo eyes, etc).
What are your favorite head lamp and tail light designs from today and yesteryears?
I'll go over some of my recent cars as well as others I've seen on the road (and magazines/internet) that seem to really standout...
I'll start it off with my Model S..... I'm not a big fan of the new redesign...
The front running lights are nice COB type with a good distinctive shape, but at night it doesn't really standout like the Mercedes.
At the rear, although it looks modern...the led light pipes don't line up exactly so it looks as if the trunk is misaligned (it isn't).
I was always a fan of Evo VII-IX oversized headlights. In theory they shouldn't have worked but in execution they do. They add to the aggressiveness of the extreme sports version of the model. Also they have my favorite lens optics together with S2000 as they break the light in a way to achieve purple light beam when viewed from long distance. Instantly recognizable.
Also Evo X was the trendsetter with recessed headlights into the nose which gave us extruded flat surface below the headlight. Even original RC had that design kink.
It was during 2000-2010 where law made cars standard with two DRLs using halogens. After that you started seeing the Nike Swish on the Lexus models and everyone jumped on board with their own signature designs. Yeah theyre cool and all and some brands does it better than others, but IMO, cars have become even more of a marketing ploy and even more of a moving billboard.
States pass bill board laws because they're considered pollution. I agree with that. And if you consider the new DRLs to be moving billboards for car brands, they too can be categorized as noise. Again, I think some DRLs are pretty cool. But I'd much rather everyone become communistic and abide by a standard in this regard. Gone are the days of the two standard halogen DRLs. Today we have wacky designs where everyone is slapping on LEDs just to be with the in crowd. Everyone is fighting for brand identity. The funny thing about that is, no one is even consistent - example is changing of grilles, headlights, designs, naming conventions, engines, logos, etc etc.
But in terms of current design, the biggest sinner has got to be the new Acura Integra taillights. I was very disappointed when I saw it. It looks like a cartoon clown car.
Light is one of those things where are eyes are naturally drawn to. So now instead of driving in a relaxed manner, I'm forced to notice every car with their own unique DRL design made out of LED.
I'd say Audi completely revamped the headlight game with the DRL's creating the outline around the headlight. That was a stunning design when it came out. I don't remember which car they launched it on, maybe the R8..?
Outside of Audi with the LEDs, another milestone was BMW's angel eyes which were amazing to me when they first hit the scene:
Originally Posted by jrmckinley
I'd say Audi completely revamped the headlight game with the DRL's creating the outline around the headlight. That was a stunning design when it came out. I don't remember which car they launched it on, maybe the R8..?
Between the LEDs in the headlights and the large "singleframe" grille, Audi really left an imprint on the automotive industry in the 2000s.
Imho my Evo ix RS headlight/tailights didn't have anything really interesting about it (it was based on an economy car after all), however, if you add the headlight snorkel intake, then it looks pretty JDM (yo!).
Originally Posted by Vladi
I was always a fan of Evo VII-IX oversized headlights. In theory they shouldn't have worked but in execution they do. They add to the aggressiveness of the extreme sports version of the model. Also they have my favorite lens optics together with S2000 as they break the light in a way to achieve purple light beam when viewed from long distance. Instantly recognizable.
Also Evo X was the trendsetter with recessed headlights into the nose which gave us extruded flat surface below the headlight. Even original RC had that design kink.
You are wrong. There is no US law or regulation mandating DRLs. Otherwise, cars would not have the option to shut them off.
Back up cameras are mandated, and the regulation was postponed for many years before it finally went into effect.
I don't even need to look up the DOT laws to tell you that you are incorrect because you're not even considering the evidence in front of you.
IF THEY DIDN"T NEED THE TWO HALOGENS FROM 2000-2010, THEY MANUS WOULDN"T HAVE IMPLEMENTED THEM ALL ACROSS THE BOARD AND CARS TODAY WOULD COME OFF THE LINE WITHOUT DRLS. And in most cases, there is no option to turn off the DRLS. TAKE A DRIVE AND LOOK AT THE CARS AND YOU"LL NOTICE ALL THE DOUBLE HALOGEN DRLS from the cars of last decade.
To turn off the DRLS on my vehicle, I would have to pop the hood and disconnect the power cable. Automotive lighting is an area of my expertise.
Same situation with backup cam goes for the DRLS. The DRLS are a safety feature. But marketing has overstylezed them and created VISUAL noise in my original post up top.
it does have a mandate or law stating you need two drls. otherwise the manus wouldve did without them. backup cameras also became standard
This is absolutely, unequivocally, 100% false. DRLs are not required in the US, and in fact were illegal here until 1995, when they were permitted following heavy lobbying efforts by the manufacturers.
GM further petitioned in 2001 to make them mandatory, and NHTSA/DOT denied the request:
Originally Posted by Federal Register of the US National Archives
This document denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by General Motors on December 20, 2001. The petitioner requested that the agency amend the Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) on lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment to require the installation of daytime running lamps on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses that have a gross vehicle weight rating under 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lbs). NHTSA has reviewed the petition and performed an extensive analysis of real world crash data. Based on the results of our study we were unable to find solid evidence of an overall safety benefit associated with daytime running lamps and are therefore denying the petition for rulemaking. The agency maintains its neutral position with respect to the safety benefits from the use of daytime running lamps.
I don't even need to look up the DOT laws to tell you that you are incorrect because you're not even considering the evidence in front of you.
IF THEY DIDN"T NEED THE TWO HALOGENS FROM 2000-2010, THEY MANUS WOULDN"T HAVE IMPLEMENTED THEM ALL ACROSS THE BOARD AND CARS TODAY WOULD COME OFF THE LINE WITHOUT DRLS. And in most cases, there is no option to turn off the DRLS. TAKE A DRIVE AND LOOK AT THE CARS AND YOU"LL NOTICE ALL THE DOUBLE HALOGEN DRLS from the cars of last decade.
To turn off the DRLS on my vehicle, I would have to pop the hood and disconnect the power cable. Automotive lighting is an area of my expertise.
Same situation with backup cam goes for the DRLS. The DRLS are a safety feature. But marketing has overstylezed them and created VISUAL noise in my original post up top.
My 2012 Mazda didn't have DRLs, so I guess Mazda was just out there violating US regulations....
To turn off the DRLs in all 4 of my cars, I have to .... go to the settings. You probably could go to your dealer and have them adjust your LPS to turn off the DRLs, just like my 2nd Gen IS could. After you figure out whether your car is FWD, RWD or AWD, of course.
Stating in all caps doesn't make you right--"automotive lighting expertise" or not. Enjoy being loud and wrong ..... as usual.
The Headlight and Taillight Aesthetic thread
