Audi R8 LMX trumps BMW i8 to be first production car with laser high beams

The LMX's laser headlight system consists of one laser module per headlight, inside which are four laser diodes that generate blue laser beams. These beams pass through a phosphor converter that transforms them into usable light for night time illumination. The laser modules only come into play when the LMX is travelling beyond 60km/h and are designed to complement the LED low- and high-beam clusters.

A camera system on-board the LMX monitors the scene ahead for other road users and adjusts the R8's beam pattern to shield them from glare.

In addition to the car's trick headlights, the R8 LMX features a retuned 5.2-litre V10 that generates 419kW of power and 540Nm of torque. By way of the comparison the former king of the R8 tree, the R8 V10 Plus, has the same amount of torque, but only 404kW at its disposal.

Power goes to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission or 'S tronic' in Audi lingo. The updated drivetrain can propel the LMX through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 3.4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 320km/h.

Other distinguishing features of LMX include the carbon-fibre ceramic discs with red calipers hiding behind the car's 19-inch alloys, a fixed rear spoiler, and liberal use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) elements throughout the exterior and interior. An exclusive shade of crystal blue paint is available on R8 LMX.

Production of the Audi R8 LMX will be limited to just 99 units and will go on sale in Europe during the northern summer with a retail price of around 210,000 euro ($309,000) in Germany.

Audi Australia confirmed that "a limited number of the Audi R8 LMX vehicles will be offered to Australian customers," but the exact figure has not been announced. More details will be announced later this year.