Interior Light Design in the Audi A5
Light is life. Light influences human biorhythms and our mood. Light can be direct or indirect, bright or dimmed, colorful, cheerful, calming, or inspiring. Light creates experiences, shapes the atmosphere in a room, and strengthens its character.
Innovative lighting technology is an essential part of Audi's DNA - both in the exterior and interior. The interior of the new Audi A5 is designed according to the Digital Stage design philosophy, consistently tailored to the needs of the occupants. With the new display control concept and a connected interior, digitization is experienced anew. This also includes the lighting design in the interior. Roland Pätkau, Audi Interior Designer and responsible for the design of the Audi A5 interior: "Light supports the architecture of the interior and sets accents. For us designers, it is a design tool with which we create atmosphere. And of course, light also has clear functions in the interior of a vehicle."
“Light is a design tool for us, with which we create atmosphere and enable functions.”
The dynamic interaction light (IAL), as part of the ambient light package plus, has a multitude of functions to support the interaction between car and occupants. It spans the entire width of the interior between the dashboard and windshield using a generous LED light strip. Regarding safety, the interaction light supports, for example, with the supplementary visualization of the warning light and dynamic turn signal. When staging the interior, it indicates the locking and unlocking of the vehicle and offers a welcome function. Designer Paetkau: "I particularly like that the interaction light communicates at eye level with the drivers, as you see this technology level when looking at the road right in front of you."
The light strip of the interaction light emphasizes the width of the interior, thus enlarging the spatial effect - and complements the contour light in the interior in this function. The contour light in the dashboard and doors accentuates the clearly drawn interior of the Audi A5 in the dark and emphasizes special design elements. Used as indirect light below the Audi MMI panoramic display and in the center console, it creates the optical effect as if the Curved Display and the upper area of the center console were floating. The materials in the doors are effectively illuminated by the ambient light - and can thus also appear very different. In white light, fabrics stand out more in their texture or color, while in red light, the same material appears more dynamic and warmer. This also applies to the entire interior: With the light color, the entire mood in the interior can be individually controlled. After a strenuous day, warm colors and dimmed light create a relaxed atmosphere in the Audi A5. At the beginning of the day, on the other hand, you can set the ambient and contour light cooler with stronger light intensity and thus activating.
“The interaction light communicates at eye level with the drivers.”
The interior lighting can be configured according to individual needs. It is also possible to link the light content to the selection of the Audi drive select. For example, when customers choose the Efficiency mode, the light and display change accordingly (green). This way, occupants immediately recognize which mode of the Audi drive select they are driving in.
Audi aims to offer its customers not only the best display and operating concept but also an unparalleled sense of well-being in a homely interior. The Audi interior designers achieve this with the targeted use of light. Designer Roland Paetkau draws a comparison to the home living space: "When I come home when it is dark, open the door, the first thing I do is turn on the light. Then I really feel welcome. That's why we stage the vehicle with light. After opening the door, the interaction light greets me, all light elements dim up. This way, we create a feel-good ambiance that invites to get into the Audi A5."