Hi,

 

planning the car change this year. As we don`t have much daylight from autumn till spring here, decent headlights are relevant.

 

Selecting between Passat and Superb III. As I`ve heard, Superb is getting some nice options in the near future: wireless charging, LCD instrument cluster (as Passat has).

Any information about LED headlights to Superb? I know, that Superb`s intelligent auto xenons are availabale, but they cannot beat LEDs.

 

Not easy choice to make. With Passat you`ll get 240 hp diesel, LCD cluster, better sound options and LED headlights, But Superb offers 200 litres more loading capacity, better price, and most of all, much more space for passengers. With LED headlights Suberb would be a winner for me.

 

 

BR, Allan 

I think this is the Skoda you need, not the superb...

I'm a bit disappointed that full LEDs are not included in the new Superb. I can see why they need to draw the line somewhere vis a vis the other VW brands with spec.I reckon we'll see them in a facelift maybe?

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Just to add, that a full LED headlight is not always better than xenon. The LED lights on the new Seat Leon for instance, are not getting that many positive reactions in the press or from the users over here. Regarding the full LCD cluster, that might be a feature on a future facelift. However, as on the Passat, you are forced to buy the biggest navigation to order full LCD cluster. And, over here at least, that is a VERY expensive option. Looks nice though.

There is an article in this weeks Autocar about the VW 240BHP diesel engine possibly finding it's way into the Superb. Possibly as an option in the Sportline model...

Colleague has LED headlights on his fairly mid spec Leon Estate - he says it's ok and better than his previous haolgen. However he doesn't have half the stuff I have on the Superb.

 

You are always going to be in a position where other manufacturers or models have differing spec - I for one aren't really that bothered. 

Just to add, that a full LED headlight is not always better than xenon. The LED lights on the new Seat Leon for instance, are not getting that many positive reactions in the press or from the users over here. Regarding the full LCD cluster, that might be a feature on a future facelift. However, as on the Passat, you are forced to buy the biggest navigation to order full LCD cluster. And, over here at least, that is a VERY expensive option. Looks nice though.

Do you know the reasons for the poor reviews on the LED headlights? I know that they are extremely bright when coming up behind you at night.

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I think this is the Skoda you need, not the superb...

 

One of these should be supplied with EVERY new Superb ..

I was a little peeved that full LED headlights weren't available on the Superb. I'm over it now.....

 

Saying that, the adaptive Bi-Xenon lights with the smart light assist is hardly poverty spec is it.. 

 

In case anyone is wondering, this is different from the normal light assist, and is well worth the £100 upgrade in L&K spec.

 

 

I think the 240PS twin turbo TDI will eventually make it into the Superb, along with the full digital dash setup. Probably not until the facelift though. 

 

You can't blame VW for holding back on certain toys for the Superb. The Passat is being aimed at BMW and Merc. If the Superb had access to the same engines and kit as the Passat from the off, it would seriously undermine its premium car aspirations. 

 

I seriously considered a Passat estate with the 240PS engine. My budget could stretch to a nicely specced one. Do you know what? I actually don't like the look of the Passat one bit. I also don't like the lines that run across the dash and incorporate the air vents.

 

And it still annoys me when people say (and they have): "Oh, didn't you look at the new Passat, A6 etc etc? quite expensive i'd imagine". As though the Superb is the poverty stricken man's car of choice  .

 

I'm happy to wait a few years for the LED headlights and punchier diesel engine. 190PS is more than sufficient for me at the moment. 

I know that video is animated, but does it really let cars coming in the other direction, come that close before dipping the main beam? Surely with xenon headlights that would blind them?

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Yes, Seat Leon`s LED lights are disaster. But Opel Astra ones are perfect and Passat ones, specially full package intelligent LEDs are brilliant.

240 ps to Superb - excellent. I can postpone the car change actually for another year to get fully loaded Superb.

I know that video is animated, but does it really let cars coming in the other direction, come that close before dipping the main beam? Surely with xenon headlights that would blind them?

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There's a complex shutter mechanism that allows a 'blind spot' to be added to the beam pattern. This blind spot can be moved quickly to keep oncoming cars out of the headlight beam. Each individual headlight can raise and lower its shutter, as well as swivel left and right independently. The extra part of the shutter can also block out parts of the beam to suit. 

 

The matrix LED lights on the new Volvo XC90 switch off individual LEDs to achieve the same result. The LED system is probably better than the xenon system but it's still pretty clever if you ask me. 

 

Here's a more realistic video of the same system on a Golf.

 

And this shows the lights doing their self check at startup. You can see the pattern is very different to a conventional set of AFS xenons. 

 

Edited 12 February, 201610 yr by dstev2000

I have been driving a Leon for the last couple of days with the LED lights.   Full beam is perfect, however when on dipped, which is most of the time they are only slightly better than Halogens due to the colour temperature.  

You pay your money and take your choice. My 190 L & K is light years ahead of my outgoing 140 SE. There are options I would have liked but I settled for a factory spec car in the colour I wanted. You can't miss what you haven't so I don't mind. I love the car, totally delighted. 

Is the issue with LEDs being caused by VW group using multi-source lamps? Having driven an LED equipped BMW with their system I have to say I was very impressed - but at £6k I would expect to be! I think the BMW system uses larger but single high intensity source chips.

I wanted LED on my Superb too but was told that VAG absolutely refused permission for Skoda to have them, although Deakers and Skoda UK had asked. Something to do with price point and 'market segment'. Like everything else, they will come and probably as part of the facelift. Maybe I'll be able to spec them on my next one in 38 months time.

Having a HUD would be nice too. I love the one in the X6.

I can't comment on the MK3 xenons as I have a MK2 FL with xenons. One of my work colleagues has a new Mondeo with LED headlights. The Mondeo LED's are brighter on dip than my Superb, but the Superb xenons/halogens are better when on full beam, they light more of the road to the sides and project the light further into the distance. I think LED's are quite directional and don't seem to spread the light as well as other types of lights.

Yes, Superb`s high beam is very good. But low beam is below the average. It is too short and specially the passengers side of the road is pretty dark. We have lots of forests and rabbits, wild boars, mooses etc are travelling across the roads all the time.

Travelling at 90 kmph low beam is just enough too short to notice some danger in the ditch. I`ve hit wild animals before and try to avoid it at any cost. Travelling at lower speeds is not an option.

By the way, Mondeo 4 xenon low beam was excellent.

Is it just me or do the Leon & the Superb have the same Shaped headlight clusters? Could be easily done on the facelift by Skoda if they are as they'll be in the 'parts bin'

I actually saw a sneak preview of what the rear clusters will look like when they facelift it, same shape but will be 'Lexus' Style (Clear lenses ) Didn't see headlight photos. Skoda will facelift it after 3 years which will be the norm on all their models in the future. There was even a production date which shows how far ahead they plan, I can't find the email at the mo,i hope I didn't delete it

Is it just me or do the Leon & the Superb have the same Shaped headlight clusters? 

 

Just you... they are a totally different shape

I wouldn't agree on "totally different " i'd say very similar shape