Main Headlights
9415 Main Headlights
NOTE: When starting the engine, dipped beam is switched off during the starting process (terminal 50 on). When high beam is switched on, dipped beam remains on (composite circuit).
The main headlight has been completely redesigned as part of the development of the new exterior design. The new design has the marker light, fog light and indicator light housed in a separate module. This has enabled the main headlight to be made more compact. The separation of the light modules has also allowed the realization of a typical nighttime design that identifies the 911 Carrera/S (997) as a Porsche at first glance and differentiates it from the Boxster series.
Similar to the previous 911 Carrera (996) model, the main headlight has a clear plastic cover and projects its luminous flux onto the road using a projector module and free-form reflector.
The newly designed main headlight uses halogen technology as standard equipment. The dipped beam is emitted from an H7 long-life bulb (12V/55W) while the high beam is provided by an H9 bulb (12V/65W). The range and road illumination properties of both these beams have been adapted to the high performance of the 911 Carrera. There is also an additional reflector around the dipped beam module. It is illuminated by a portion of the dipped beam and serves to brighten the surroundings.
The option of using the dipped beam as so-called daytime running lights (in combination with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus) is also new.
The H7 projection system offers the following advantages for dipped beam:
- High luminous flux (radiant power)
- Considerably more light in the extreme range of the light/dark limit
- More defined light/dark limit resulting in less glare for other road users
- Homogenous illumination of the entire lane
- Broader lateral illumination when compared with the 911 Carrera (996) resulting in greater safety, particularly when driving around tight corners
- Reduction of glare for oncoming traffic through the imposition of an upper restriction for the light/dark limit at the outer edge of the road. The result is a broader range at the outer edge of the road, however as the light is below the line-of-site for oncoming traffic glare is reduced
- Longer dipped beam range than offered by competitors (approx. 70 m). This is due to the high installation position of the headlight above the road and the arrangement of the lighting components.
The front light houses the marker light, fog light and indicator light. Like the main headlight, the front light is also equipped with clear glass and free-form reflectors. The front light can be quickly and easily removed for maintenance using the release card enclosed with the glove box owner/warranty manuals folder. The indicator lights have been moved from the main headlight (previous 911 Carrera (996) model) and are now integrated in the front lights at the outer edges. This improves the visibility of the signal when the indicator light is on. The indicator light area has also been enlarged, which increases traffic safety.
Like the indicator lights, the marker lights have also been moved from the main headlight and are now located at the inner edge of the front lights. The gap between the marker lights and the dipped beam in the main headlight constitutes a new night-time design appropriate to the 911.
A blue bulb (12V/5W, "blue vision") ensures that the light spectrum of the marker light is very similar to that of the main headlight, creating a uniform night-time design.
