I have seen quite a bit about ambient lighting in cars. What is the purpose of it? Just to look nice or is there an improvement in night vision when driving?

I was a sceptic until I drove a new shape Golf GTi that had red LED lighting at the top of the windscreen which, illuminated the area round the gear stick. I diddnt see the LED's themselves, just a nice subtle illumination of the console etc. I liked it a lot.

Does it help when driving at night on unlit country roads?

I'd be dubious. Certainly my main complaint about the Octy (Elegance) is the sheer number of light-up switches and LCD panels there are in it.

If there is a very low level of ambient lighting in the cabin it may soften the effects of the billons of lights dotted around.

I'm going to be on the lookout for a W8 interior light which should be a direct fit.

New L&K gets LED illumination in the interior door handles which will be very nice methinks

Its Ambience isnt it, making the environment around you more comfortable and a better place to be, its also good for keeping you more aware i think!:P

aye i have them on my car, nice little things, just a gentle illumination.