Is this the next trend? Electroluminescence?

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Jan 4, 2023 | Volkswagen, electroluminescence, Volkswagen ID.7, Consumer Electronics Show

Photography Courtesy Volkswagen

This car really glows. No. Really. It glows. Welcome to the electroluminescent digital camouflage adorning the first fully electric Volkswagen sedan, the ID.7, set to display at the Consumer Electronics Show this weekend in Las Vegas.

So, how does this car’s “paint” light up?

Here’s what Volkswagen says:

The camouflaged sedan features a digital design with unique paintwork, which lights up the ID.7 interactively. No fewer than 40 layers of paint have been applied, some of which are conductive while others have insulating properties. A total of 22 areas of the vehicle can be controlled separately and are electrified below the top layer of paint (electroluminescence) so that they light up. If all this is connected to a sound system, the rhythm is visualized by illumination of individual areas.

That’s right. The electroluminescent paint lights up the car like one of those Bluetooth speakers. No word on how much weight it adds, but if you like blinking, colorful lights that pulse with your favorite music, maybe they’ll offer the electroluminescence for consumers as well.

 

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Comments
Error404
Error404 HalfDork
1/4/23 11:43 a.m.

I can't wait to see what the regulatory bodies do with that obvious and blatant hazard to.... Something. laugh

As for a new trend? I think it's a gimmick until hobbyists get ahold of it, in which case see my previous line. That's not to say it's bad but we're not far removed from everyone gushing over pavement colored cars. Brightly colored cars are already a gimmick for "immature" brands like Jeep and Dodge. I just don't see how this benefits the shareholders more than basic paint so I don't think it will make it into the mainstream production lines.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/4/23 12:13 p.m.

It's been around for a while. You see it used on endurance race cars for numbers, for example,, and I remember seeing electroluminescent cars at SEMA years ago. Not implemented at this level, though - some nerds got let off the leash and got to execute one of the things they'd been dreaming up in the bar :)

llysgennad
llysgennad HalfDork
1/4/23 1:06 p.m.

I prefer the analog...

GaryC83
GaryC83 Reader
1/4/23 1:08 p.m.

Been around for at least a decade in the aftermarket. This is just one of the companies involved. Doubt it will ever become mainstream as its a very cost and labor intensive thing... 

https://www.lumilor.com/

Trent
Trent PowerDork
1/4/23 1:11 p.m.
Error404 said:

I can't wait to see what the regulatory bodies do with that obvious and blatant hazard to.... Something. laugh

They haven't done a thing about how glaring headlights have gotten so why would they bother for this?

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/4/23 1:24 p.m.

Does it make any practical sense? Not really.

Do I still want it? Absolutely.

 

Just imagine how cool a light-up DeLorean would be.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/4/23 1:26 p.m.
llysgennad said:

I prefer the analog...

The Ghost of the General Lee!

Nred
Nred New Reader
1/4/23 1:27 p.m.

In reply to Trent :

Right on, brother! There used (ought?) to be a law! 

This is especially true when driving a car that is lower to the ground, like all of the ones I drive (Elan, 944, RX-7, FR-S, etc...).  

Audi bought into OLED tail lights in a big way. OLED is an electroluminescent technology. VW probably just walked across the hall and asked in their polite, German, way to borrow it for the great unveiling. Definitely a gimmick.  

Error404
Error404 HalfDork
1/4/23 1:35 p.m.
Trent said:
Error404 said:

I can't wait to see what the regulatory bodies do with that obvious and blatant hazard to.... Something. laugh

They haven't done a thing about how glaring headlights have gotten so why would they bother for this?

That's different. Those headlights have to be stupid bright due to how high they are off the ground, a distance dictated by their mandate to style trucks aggressively. /s

I'd be very happy if headlights were addressed. They're often too high off the ground or unshielded, even before lift kits, and I think most everyone would agree that headlights at eye level is not in the interest of safe roads. Then again we have squatted trucks rolling around unchecked. Oh well, we tried nothing and it didn't work. 

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
1/4/23 1:40 p.m.

Never heard of bright colors as being immature, but I'll take immature over dead inside black /white/silver every day of the week.

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