Subaru WRX Long-Term Update: We got the LED backlit badge!

News Source: 

One of the reasons we do long-term road tests of cars is so that we can discover and appreciate some of the little things that we might not have a chance to touch on, or even notice, during a first drive press trip or typical week-long loan. On our Subaru WRX, one of those little things literally caught my eye this week: some cool lighting details.

Among the options we added to our WRX is an LED backlit badge (shown at top). During the day, it's pretty much impossible to tell that it's illuminated. The ring around the badge and the stars in the Subaru Pleiades look like normal chrome against the navy blue background. But at night, when the lights come on, the light shines through the chrome. What could be more fitting than stars shining brightly at night? Well, not super brightly. This is one of the most subtly illuminated badges I've seen, but I actually appreciate that. It's noticeable enough, and small enough, to be a fun detail, instead of being a showy, branding Bat-signal for the world to see. It is an option, and it's $350. Is it really worth it? That obviously comes down to each individual person, but I'm certain I've spent nearly as much on similarly useless car accessories, so I'd probably give it a go if it had been my money. At least if I had a little budget wiggle room. But if you've got a tighter budget, it's an easy one to pass on for other more prominent visual upgrades or performance upgrades.

Something that comes on every WRX that all owners will be able to enjoy is the detailing in the taillight housings. Subaru borrowed from some past Mercedes models in giving the lower section of the light reflectors a fine, faceted finish. The result is a twinkly, sparkly effect as the light bounces off in all different directions. I'm a little disappointed more cars don't do things like this, as it's quite a simple and affordable way to add some extra flair to basic lighting. After all, it's still just chromed plastic, just molded for a fun effect.

Are either of these lighting details a big deal? Of course not, but we car enthusiasts always like it when our cars have those little, extra-special details we can point out to anyone interested. And if in the case of the light-up badge, that's especially true when we're the ones who went out of the way to add them.

Oh, and by the way, I'll be pointing out another one of those dive-deeper details next week: the front seats.

Related Video:




 

TrendForce 2023 Global Automotive LED Product Trend and Regional Market Analysis
Release Date:
1. PDF (166 Pages)- 30 June 2023
2. EXCEL- 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2023
Languages: Traditional Chinese / English

If you would like to know more details , please contact:

Global Contact:
 
ShenZhen:
Grace Li
E-mail : Graceli@trendforce.com
Tel : +886-2-8978-6488 ext.916
  Perry Wang
E-mail : Perrywang@trendforce.cn
Tel : +86-755-82838931 ext.6800

Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein<
Proprietary Rights
You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.

Figure 1. Overall concept of face-fit surface-lighting micro-LEDs (FSLED) mask. a. Optical image of the FSLED mask showing uniform surface-lighting. schematic illustration of the FSLED mask. The 2D to 3D transformation procedure b. Difference ... READ MORE

The next generation of high-performance LEDs is now available: the OSCONIQ® C 3030 from ams OSRAM. Engineered for demanding outdoor and stadium lighting applications, this cutting-edge LED series combines exceptional intensity with thermal... READ MORE