Macan EV Headlight Specs

[SergeyIndy]

I would like to share headlights specs, as some @Fleming23 mentioned the brightness and absence of dynamic cornering feature. Ideally, we need to measure the brightness, and I would be up to it if someone can recommend what can be used to do so as I have MY24 Macan GTS if someone else can measure Macan EV LED and LED Matrix beams.

Dealer's internal docs provide the following regarding Macan EV Headlights in the US.

I found this to be inconsistent from usual Porsche headlight setup:
High Beam Assistant is the + in PDLS+ option on other models. Standard on Macan EV.
Dynamic Cornering Light function is part PDLS option on other models. Not offered on Macan EV.
LED type has no PDLS designation. LED Matrix Design has PDLS+ designation.


LED
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with Indicators in LED fiber-optic technology
- Lower: Low/High Beam, and Auxiliary High Beam with speed-based driving light control and dynamic headlight leveling


LED Matrix Design PDLS+
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Includes Static Cornering Light
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with strongly contoured three-dimensional light signature and Indicators with strongly emphasized LED strips
- Lower: Low Beam, High-power Auxiliary High Beam, and Matrix Design Lense
- US has no Matrix functionality
- No mention of speed-based driving light control or dynamic headlight leveling but probably assumed
- Features Coming/Leaving Home animation
- Optional in Black or Glacier Blue

Compare this to Macan ICE LED Headlights with PDLS+

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[Wivenhoe]

The UK Porsche Newsroom published details of the light systems on all four models. This details the functions of the standard LED’s and the Matrix system. My reading of it indicates the UK / European spec May be higher than the US one. The whole article is here - https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/press-kits/the-new-porsche-macan/Licht--und-Assistenzsysteme.html

The standard LED headlights in the Macan, Macan 4 and Macan 4S are divided into two light modules arranged one above the other. The upper modules contain the characteristic Porsche four-point daytime running lights. The daytime running light and indicator LED are arranged in alternating order in each of the four strip modules. The lower modules integrate the functional units for the low beam and high beam, including the associated assistance functions. In addition to the high beam assist, the standard LED main headlights also have speed-sensitive headlight control and dynamic range control.

The Macan Turbo is equipped with Matrix LED headlights as standard. This lighting system utilises speed, camera and navigation data to provide ideal illumination. A total of 84 LEDs per headlight generate the high beam together with upstream lenses and reflectors. The system can illuminate the road to a distance of more than 600 m.

A camera recognises vehicles in front and oncoming vehicles as well as reflective traffic signs. This information is used to distribute the high beam intelligently, as individual areas of the matrix can be specifically omitted. This enables optimal visibility with the high beam activated without disturbing other road users or being dazzled by traffic signs. The boost function additionally increases the illumination of the vehicle’s own lane in two-way traffic. This guides the driver’s eyes, thereby increasing comfort and safety. The technology also enables adaptive functions such as static cornering lighting and motorway high beam. The matrix LED headlights welcome and bid farewell to the Macan driver with a Coming Home/Leaving Home animation. In the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur version, the headlights can be tinted on request and some are available in Glacier Ice Blue. They also include an exclusive animation with a ‘theatre’ effect. There are also further options for customisation in the rear: The LED tail lights with ‘Porsche’ lettering in Glacier Ice Blue or Black also offer a Coming Home/Leaving Home animation

 

[AlanH]

You are absolutely right when you say that the European spec is different from the American. My understanding is that the US Department of transportation will not allow full matrix capability in the US (how dumb is that?) so it is disabled in US versions. I think this is all just done through software, so in theory a simple software update could make full matrix capability available in the US.

 

[SergeyIndy]

You are absolutely right when you say that the European spec is different from the American. My understanding is that the US Department of transportation will not allow full matrix capability in the US (how dumb is that?) so it is disabled in US versions. I think this is all just done through software, so in theory a simple software update could make full matrix capability available in the US.

It is much more cruel than that. Regulations allow it, but the requirements are made impossible to meet with current hardware and software of the EU Matrix setup.

 

[prime]

You are absolutely right when you say that the European spec is different from the American. My understanding is that the US Department of transportation will not allow full matrix capability in the US (how dumb is that?) so it is disabled in US versions. I think this is all just done through software, so in theory a simple software update could make full matrix capability available in the US.

NHTSA approved late 2022 on new models for 2024 and onward. I believe only vehicles to take advantage of this so far are some Tesla models and the new 2025 Cayenne with HD matrix headlights.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-release...dlights-new-vehicles-improving-safety-drivers

 

[ColdCase]

As discussed elsewhere, matrix lighting has been allowed for some time, took awhile to publish the specs however. I think Rivian has compliant lights, just waiting for certification.

The US requirements are a lot different from EU requirements (more stringent distance, brightness, and response time, i.e. safer/better for the US roadways). None of the manufacturers have enabled it so far, because it's so different and it requires certification for the US. One can argue design specs and regulations, the US does have the EU experience to build on.

But then it is not that simple. There are matrix headlights that do comply with the US standards that are to be certified at some point. The US standard is much different/more stringent as far as hardware, let alone software specs. Macan matrix lights don't seem to be hardware compliant (individual LEDs are too bright and are not hardware limited). There is specs on individual LEDs and some other details that don't match up well. Perhaps Porsche can get a waver. There is a thread around here somewhere.

As with other Porsche models, there are aftermarket programmers that can enable he EU matrix functionality for off road use only.

 

[Wivenhoe]

In the UK you would have to think very carefully before using after market programmers as the insurers require a declaration that the car has not been modified in any way. If you were to declare a mod I dread to think what the cost would be. Porsche UK have even said having a non-Porsche tracker and or dashcam fitted may invalidate the warranty in certain circumstances.

 

[dwc39]

Has anyone been able to successfully reprogram their headlights? Getting past the Porsche security is difficult.

 

[verdee]

It’s been done on newer Taycan with the Porsche encryption

 

[dwc39]

Is there a place or a person where I can get some direction on this? I’ve worked with belauto who I found on other forums, he wasn’t any help and charged me even though I couldn’t get in to make the changes. I have piwis 4 with the PT3G connector already.

 

[jwatte]

It’s been done on newer Taycan with the Porsche encryption

The Taycan is still a variant of the J1 platform, which still uses VAG J533 multiple CAN bus communications.
The Macan (and the new Audi Q6 e-tron) are built on the new VAG PPE platform, and use a totally different communication system developed by Cariad.
Much of it doesn't even use CAN bus anymore, instead using encrypted gigabit Ethernet...
That'll be "fun" for whoever tries to crack it. Quite next level!

So, unfortunately, "it was done on the Taycan" doesn't help us much over here :-(

 

[strwbryfruitcake]

had it coded on my 992s and my 991 3rs, works well. was told coding is not available for macan, and prob won't be for a long while as PAG has really made it difficult to crack. such a shame as the macan EV has some of the dimmest lowest aiming headlights ever. I honesty hate it but I know it's not PCNA's fault and more of how stupid US regulation's implementation of their safety requirements are. incompetent stupid ass idiots in charge right now

 

[krissrock]

it's quite weird.... imo, it's most just dummies running around with their highbeams on.... but there's was this almost world wide campaign to complain about headlights being too bright....

 

[ColdCase]

You are absolutely right when you say that the European spec is different from the American. My understanding is that the US Department of transportation will not allow full matrix capability in the US (how dumb is that?) so it is disabled in US versions. I think this is all just done through software, so in theory a simple software update could make full matrix capability available in the US.

As mentioned, its a little more complicated than that. The EU spec is not appropriate for US roadways in many ways. It is a dumb spec for the US. You could say dangerous but thats subjective. The US has allowed "matrix" headlights for years and its spec provides a much more effective seeing and blinding performance.

Manufactures have chosen to be slow to implement it. EU spec cars will slowly catch up over the years. Regulators think it is better to do it right than to bandaid a poor implementation. It is unfortunate that Porsche uses individual LED hardware that exceed the limit and that there does not seem to be a a way to update it via software.

Anyway thats the gist of it, the details are more complex. I dunno what I did to the report to reference here, but its not new news..

 

[jwatte]

Manufactures have chosen to be slow to implement it.

Because no OEM has technology that can reach the required timing.
It's not a matter of "slow," it's a matter of "it literally can't be made yet. We don't know how."

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