LEDs: The Shape of Things to Come?

Has anyone spotted a new Audi A4 without those oh-so-gorgeous LED headlights? Probably not. Or at best, very rarely. Although this awkwardly installed string of lights cost a packet, you hardly ever see an A4 that isn't sporting them. Having your car lit up like a Christmas tree is rapidly turning into the must-have feature at the top end of the segment (and, no doubt, lower down in the very near future).

Since the new 7 series and the facelift for the 3 series, BMW have added a matt illuminated eyebrow to its now famous rings

And what has been the response from Mercedes? Nothing so far. The boys from Stuttgart will have to get their act together very soon so as not to lose out on the new headlight battlefront.

All we can hope is that the (as yet) image-boosting LEDs don't end up like the BMW rings being sold in demeaning plastic packaging to DIY-happy fans fresh from the Wörthersee GTI Meet. That was the cruel fate that befell the single-frame grille. The accessories manufacturers will be rubbing their hands with glee at the new LED licence to print money. Ah well, I'm off to Lake Wörther...