Directional headlights

[DrNick]

I have noticed a few times when walking to work a few cars (normally VWs) that when coming round a roundabout/bend have one fog light on which corresponds with the direction of the turn - it then fades out as the car straightens out its direction....

Seems to be a simple form of directional headlight - can't see it can actually make much of difference to illumination though? Anybody shed any light (pun intended) on this out of interest?

 

[srhutch]

never noticed this, but will look out for it. I'll also ask the two guys at work who have just picked up Passats

 

[Wondermike]

Yeah pretty pointless if you ask me. Mercedes have it as well, although I think it can be turned off

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/glossary/cornering-light-static

Our static cornering lights provide an extra light source behind the headlight reflector. When you turn the steering wheel, or indicate, a small additional reflector with a separate halogen bulb lights the area you're turning into, over a distance of several metres at an angle of 35 degrees. As a result, you get a better view of potential hazards, faster. The static cornering light's clear signal effect also alerts other road users.

 

[Half Colin]

I had the same system on a Mondeo I had, it worked well but was pretty pointless to be honest. I suppose if you do a lot of night driving round bendy country lanes it could be useful.

 

[DrNick]

The static cornering light's clear signal effect also alerts other road users

Alerts other road users to what?! I was just alerted to the fact it looked like a bulb had blown on a VW that was just a few months old!

 

[srhutch]

The static cornering light's clear signal effect also alerts other road users

Alerts other road users to what?! I was just alerted to the fact it looked like a bulb had blown on a VW that was just a few months old!

A bit like BMW's brake force system, most people won't notice our even realise