Matrix headlights on Macan 4S 2025

[castlg]

These are not true European matrix headlights, even though these have been legal in the US for some time. I don’t understand why Porsche is not using the latest approved technology. Any thoughts from the group?

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[krissrock]

there's another thread discussing this i believe.
Apparently they need to get the certification testing, which cost money....

 

[strwbryfruitcake]

I have it activated here on my 992.1 by a cool dude on rennlist. I DM'd him and he told me he can only do the previous ones because the new ones have some other software lock that hasn't been figured out yet. Hopefully, time will come and we can activate it, cuz its way too low/dark. Prob my biggest complaint.

 

[krissrock]

, cuz its way too low/dark.

can't wait... I agree. it's not that lighting is inadequate...but it feels that it could certainly be better/brighter

 

[jcart5]

I can’t decided if they are better or worse than the matrix headlights I had on my Volvo XC60 (which I thought were very bright, sharp and precise). I tell myself they must be better on my Macan, but I’m not sure they are as they don’t seem as sharp

 

[SteveInKirkland]

If anyone bought a USA delivered car without Matrix headlights .... bravo! I have always questioned whether they were worth even a penny over the stock headlights.

 

[DTaxman]

I can’t decided if they are better or worse than the matrix headlights I had on my Volvo XC60 (which I thought were very bright, sharp and precise). I tell myself they must be better on my Macan, but I’m not sure they are as they don’t seem as sharp

Based on my experience with a Volvo XC90 (I believe it was a 2018) and a 2021 Mercedes GLS, the Porsche matrix headlights absolutely are not as good as either. Very basic auto high beam which is just table stakes in pretty much any vehicle now. If I'm going to pay a premium, at least give me a little light dance when I start up the vehicle or some other display that helps to make sure I remember I have something "special". When my GLS switches to auto high beams, the lights open up as if it was opening a curtain. It's dumb but at least feels like I got something.

 

[jcart5]

Based on my experience with a Volvo XC90 (I believe it was a 2018) and a 2021 Mercedes GLS, the Porsche matrix headlights absolutely are not as good as either. Very basic auto high beam which is just table stakes in pretty much any vehicle now. If I'm going to pay a premium, at least give me a little light dance when I start up the vehicle or some other display that helps to make sure I remember I have something "special". When my GLS switches to auto high beams, the lights open up as if it was opening a curtain. It's dumb but at least feels like I got something.

Yeah, that’s a really good way of describing it, like a curtain opening. It’s underwhelming on the Macan. I wondered if it was just more subtle, but I think I’m being generous!

 

[krissrock]

If I'm going to pay a premium, at least give me a little light dance when I start up the vehicle or some other display that helps to make sure I remember I have something "special".

the macan lights do have a greeting. If you unlock the car, they fade on from a bottom to top fashion
and you can see the active matrix turning on/off LED's as you drive...turning lateral lights (lights perpendicular to your seating position) on/off, seemingly based on speed and intersections...

the main thing missing from the US Matric functionality is the matrix leaving a "hole" in the high beams for on coming traffic...which ive seen function on other non-porsche vehicles with Matrix headlight

 

[DTaxman]

the macan lights do have a greeting. If you unlock the car, they fade on from a bottom to top fashion
and you can see the active matrix turning on/off LED's as you drive...turning lateral lights (lights perpendicular to your seating position) on/off, seemingly based on speed and intersections...

the main thing missing from the US Matric functionality is the matrix leaving a "hole" in the high beams for on coming traffic...which ive seen function on other non-porsche vehicles with Matrix headlight

Interesting. If that's happening I see none of that with my vehicle so either its very subtle or I've got faulty lights. I'll look closely next time I'm driving at night.

 

[krissrock]

yeah, as I usually get in my car in the garage, you can't tell.. aaaand, I have it set to unlock as i approach. So when it's usually happening, i'm at the door and can't see anyway.

but if i unlock when i'm approaching the car when i'm leaving the gym....i can see.

 

[someTimesJoe]

US spec matrix functionality is subtle and nothing to really wow over. Krissrock described it how I experienced it.
I need to get it programmed on my Taycan with the HD Matrix option. I’ve contacted someone I found on Rennlist but just haven’t coordinated time to get it done. From the videos I’ve seen, it’s very active on the Taycan.
On my other vehicle, a Model Y Performance, finally saw the matrix in full action in darkness on a 2 lane back road. It lights everything up but I think it’s too much. Does start cubing or blacking out where the oncoming cars are or when I come up to one.

 

[Station]

can't wait... I agree. it's not that lighting is inadequate...but it feels that it could certainly be better/brighter

Wasn't there a recent software update to slightly dim the excessively bright headlights?

 

[PrudentOcean]

Wasn't there a recent software update to slightly dim the excessively bright headlights?

Yes, there is a recall campaign for that.

 

[krissrock]

Wasn't there a recent software update to slightly dim the excessively bright headlights?

The recall campaign for a set of US vehicles that were incorrectly programmed for the EU matrix software...

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