News: LEDs
11 November 2021
Lumileds launches first road-legal H4-LED headlight bulb for retrofitting halogen
LED maker Lumileds LLC of San Jose, CA, USA says that it is advancing automotive lighting and improving road safety with the launch of the first road-legal H4-LED in Germany, from its Philips Ultinon Pro6000 LED retrofit range. This is a range extension to the H7-LED that was approved in Germany in May. The new Philips Ultinon Pro6000 H4-LED bulb delivers up to 230% brighter light (compared with the legal minimum for halogen bulbs), and its plug-and-play design allows DIYers and mechanics to install it on their own, the firm says.
Approval of the Philips Ultinon Pro6000 H4-LED type by the German federal authorities means that drivers across the country can now legally upgrade their headlight bulbs from halogen to Philips LED lighting.
These premium Philips LED bulbs improve safety by boosting visibility and delivering a beam pattern that illuminates the road ahead without dazzling other road users.
A comprehensive testing program in collaboration with TÜV Rheinland confirmed the new Philips LED bulb’s high performance, enabling homologation by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The ‘ABG’ approval certificate was granted by the KBA based on national regulation §22a StVZO enabling use in selected vehicle models. Lumileds can therefore now offer its latest LED retrofit technology to German drivers.
“We will continue to provide ever-increasing coverage of the car marques and models available in Germany,” says Swati Singh, EMEA product manager for LED at Lumileds.
Once fitted, the Philips Ultinon Pro6000 H4-LED provides up to 230% brighter light (compared with the minimum legal standard for halogen bulbs) courtesy of the Lumileds LUXEON Altilon LEDs – the same LEDs used by automotive original equipment manufacturers. Its cool-white beam with a color temperature of up to 5800K – the same color temperature used by OEMs – is said to aid driver comfort and reduce strain on the eyes.
The Philips Ultinon Pro6000 H4-LED also features greater durability, with up to 3000 hours’ lifetime. Advanced AirBoost technology and a built-in fan for active cooling contribute to long-lasting reliability.
Due to plug-and-play installation, drivers can now convert their halogen headlamps to the brighter, approved light of Philips Ultinon Pro6000 H4-LED on a wide range of car models. Thanks to its new, one-piece design, the bulb fits easily into existing headlamp units. Integrated electronics ensure a compact footprint, making installation easy for DIYers or mechanics even where space is tight.
The Philips Ultinon Pro6000 LED range in Germany is available in the most common headlight bulb types, H4-LED and H7-LED.
