Stefan Staudacher (re.), Leiter der Entwicklung Heckbeleuchtung, und Lichtdesigner Christoph Häußinger (li.) im Gespräch über die digitale Lichtsignatur des neuen A6 Sportback e-tron. Foto: AUDI AG

eMove360° Interview with Audi Lighting Design: “Light in motion inspires”

Lighting technology and lighting design may seem to have a lot in common at first glance – yet they also involve a careful balancing act between aesthetics and functionality. In the current issue of the eMove360° magazine in german language (download PDF), Head of Rear Lighting Development Stefan Staudacher and lighting designer Christoph Häußinger offer a behind-the-scenes look at how designers and engineers work together to find the best solutions despite differing requirements.

The new A6 e-tron is the first Audi vehicle to illuminate the four rings at the rear. How did this come about?

Christoph Häußinger: We spent a long time thinking about how to properly showcase the rings. After all, it’s about our logo as one of the most important symbols of the Audi brand and a key identifying feature of our vehicles. We want to showcase this trademark at Nt as well. Some of our concept vehicles already had illuminated rings, and people loved them.

The next step was to transfer this feature from the concept vehicles to series production. How does this collaboration work? The design has a vision, but the development team plays the role of a worrier and spoilsport?

Stefan Staudacher: (laughs) Hopefully we weren’t spoilsports, but the illumination of the rings was actually more complicated than initially assumed.

Christoph Häußinger: After all, it’s about our brand logo, which has to look first-class both day and night.

Stefan Staudacher: Then there was compliance with legal requirements. The use of illuminated rings was truly an innovation. At that time, there were no regulations for the European market. Together, we had to react very flexibly and promptly to developments in the draft legislation right up to the final regulations.

What was the biggest challenge for you?

Christoph Häußinger: Clearly the design requirements for the illuminated rings! Our brand logo has to appear precise and high-quality when the lights are off, as is the case with all our vehicles. However, when the lights are on, we need a perfect shade of red that creates a harmonious overall image with the rear lights. To achieve this, we had to create the ideal shade of red using white paint. That doesn’t sound that difficult, but we spent a long time tinkering to achieve the perfect result.

Stefan Staudacher: Once we achieved this result, we decided to add the black styling package towards the end of the development cycle. The rings are dark-colored at the front and rear. Here, too, it was challenging to create the same harmonious look, ensuring not only the sporty look but also the high-quality look of dark rings.

The joint development of the illuminated rings wasn’t your first joint project; you’ve been working together for a long time. What excites you about your job?

Christoph Häußinger: Audi’s lights are highly technical components. I find it exciting to give them a form that resonates with people emotionally. On the one hand, customers can choose from various digital light signatures based on their preferences and tastes. On the other hand, customizing their Audi fits perfectly into their digital everyday lives: These days, they not only control their home and appliances remotely, but thanks to extensive digitalization, they also control their Audi’s lights. I find this interaction between people and vehicles particularly exciting.

Stefan Staudacher: From a technical perspective, I’m fascinated by the complete networking of our vehicles, and thus also of the headlights and taillights. Digitalization serves, for example, individualization, as Christoph just explained, but also safety. The communication light, which proactively warns other road users of accident or breakdown locations, is only possible thanks to our second-generation digital taillights. We are proud to be able to offer these functions to our customers. And that’s just the beginning of a completely new light-based communication among road users.

Communication, safety, digitalization, customization – how do you reconcile all of this, in two such different areas?

Christoph Häußinger: With hard work, good communication, and a clear understanding of the different requirements of my colleagues, anything is possible! I’m responsible for the design, the expression of the lights, Stefan for the interior, the technology that makes our vehicles visible at the rear. We’re both also significantly influenced by the exterior design. What about the cutouts for the lights, what’s the design language, what’s the surface treatment of the body? In the end, a coherent overall image must be on the road.

Stefan Staudacher: Our close collaboration shows that teamwork makes the dream work. Together, we strive for the best possible result, and our customers can now look forward to a very beautiful and, above all, illuminated rear of the A6 e-tron (laughs).

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Stefan Staudacher has led the rear, side, and ambient lighting development team at Audi AG since 2021. Driven by a passion for emotive automotive design and a fascination with technology, he began his professional career in design implementation and has remained true to this passion for over two decades in various specialist and management roles. For him, lighting development uniquely combines design, innovation, and safety, creating many emotional and inspiring moments both during development and in the customer experience. This motivates the lighting designers at Audi every day to bring light into the darkness.

Christoph Häußinger, a passionate lighting designer at AUDI AG since 2009. He began his career in Erlangen with a degree in mechanical engineering at Friedrich-Alexander University. After completing his intermediate diploma, he continued his studies with a focus on technical design at the Technical University of Dresden. During this time, he completed an internship in the lighting design department at AUDI AG. In 2008, Häußinger completed his studies and focused his diploma thesis on lighting design. Immediately thereafter, he began his career as a lighting designer at AUDI AG, where he has since been jointly responsible for the design of the lights for the TT, R8, A8, and most recently, the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron.