From the creation of the PEUGEOT Type 1 in 1889 to the introduction of the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW, the lighting of the Lion brand’s models has been in constant motion in terms of technology, functionality and design.
Headlights and rear lights have become key elements of the vehicles. They epitomise the idea of technology at the service of design and, vice versa, of design at the service of technology. Primarily designed to be safety features (lighting, signalling), they have also become essential in reinforcing the identity of PEUGEOT brand models, and making them recognisable at first sight.
The addition of LED technology in 2012 has completely changed the lighting capacities and the shape of the headlamp units. Because of their power and compactness, LEDs offer designers greater freedom when creating lighting elements: they free them from the constraints of previous technologies (halogen and xenon) in terms of shape and size, and literally allow them to play with light.
In terms of technology, the light emitted by an LED appears white like xenon headlights. In fact, this light is blue. It passes through a layer of phosphorus which absorbs a large part of the blue spectrum, and gives the LED its very special white colour.
In addition to lasting 10 to 15 times longer than halogens, LEDs are low power consumption devices, thereby reducing the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW’s CO2 emissions.
The new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW also display the brand’s characteristic light signature using LED technology. All versions, from the first trim level onwards, use LED technology.
On the GT/GT Pack levels, the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW have full LED adaptive headlamps with matrix technology called PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology. They are made up of three elements:
•The daytime running light feature is provided by the fang-shaped LED light signature introduced to the PEUGEOT range with the new 508 in 2018.
•The low beam is made up of four LEDs combined to form a sufficiently powerful light beam.
•The main beam feature is provided by the matrix module made up of twenty LEDs, which add their beam to that of the low beam. This is where the adaptive function of the system lies, as these twenty modules switch on and off and adjust their light output individually and continuously, depending on the external conditions.
The camera at the top of the windscreen analyses the environment in order to adapt the lighting and intensity of the LEDs in the matrix. This way, the light beam automatically adapts to provide optimal lighting, keeping main beam on at all times without blinding other vehicles.
When approaching a vehicle (overtaking or following) at night, the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW analyse and follow its progress. The main beam light segments are switched off around the detected car to create a shadow tunnel, so that you don’t blind the other car’s driver, whilst keeping your surroundings brightly lit.
In addition to ensuring optimal lighting without ever blinding other drivers, the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW’s PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology can automatically switch between different lighting modes depending on external conditions.
City mode : as soon as the vehicle is travelling between 0 and 50 km/h, the low beam is switched on.
Main beam mode : At speeds between 50 and 110 km/h, the front headlamps are switched to main beam. This means that they are providing their full lighting potential.
Motorway mode : when travelling at more than 110 km/h for at least 5 seconds, the PEUGEOT Matrix LED Technology headlamps change the angle of the main beam (+0.4%) in order to illuminate further away – obviously without blinding other drivers. As soon as the vehicle is travelling for more than 5 seconds at less than 90 km/h, the light beam returns to its original angle.
The PEUGEOT Matrix LED front headlights are connected to the full LED rear lights with the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW’s three distinctive claws.
These are an integral part of the car’s rear design and their unique design makes the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW unmistakable at first glance at both the front and rear.
For more information, download the Press release.