The new Volvo C40 is equipped with LED lighting technology from light supplier ZKW from Wieselburg.
ZKW says the electric crossover’s headlight features an image module with 84 individually controllable LEDs. It says that the high-tech light illuminates the road particularly efficiently, dynamically adapts to traffic and prevents blinding of other road users.
The front camera and radar constantly scan the road, which enables simultaneous shading of up to five vehicles. The design of the high-quality pixel LED light is unique: the hammer-shaped arc of light sets the visual accents characteristic of Volvo. “For Volvo, we are developing distinctive headlight shapes that impress with their innovative technology and unforgettable appearance, and increase road safety,” said Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
The headlight in the new C40 combines daytime running lights, position lights and indicators in a particularly compact form, the company claims. The flexible lighting system with camera and radar sensor ensures a high level of safety in road traffic with optimal road lighting without dazzling oncoming traffic. They achieve this with individually controlled LEDs combined into a pixel module. The front camera and radar eye detect oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front and activate or deactivate the LED light in the headlight pixel module via the control unit. Despite the compact dimensions of the headlight, the system achieves a high light output.
The unique LED light was developed in Wieselburg, where the headlight is also manufactured. The electronics of the pixel module come from the ZKW electronics factory in Wiener Neustadt.
The powerful light output of the premium headlight is achieved by the LED pixel module in combination with “innovative ForTIR elements”. The so-called ForTIR light elements use a bumper to project part of the dipped beam onto the road. These are particularly flat projection modules that are only 13 millimeters high and also serve as design elements in the main headlights.
The design of the front headlight has a characteristic “Thor’s hammer” shape, where special attention has been paid to homogeneity. This design element is shaped by the light guides and thick-walled optics in front and unmistakably represents the C40 as a Volvo. “The combination of the 84 LED pixel module, the lightweight ForTIR* elements and the Thorhammer design is unique to Volvo,” explains Steger.
ZKW equips both the Volvo C40 and XC40 with premium LED headlights, using the same headlight module as the basis.
