Audi electric vehicle driving at night with Matrix LED headlights active
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ELECTRIC MODELS · ALL THREE SUPPORTED · EUR

Audi EV Matrix
Headlights — US & Canada

Factory Matrix LED headlights are fitted to every US-spec Audi e-tron GE, Q8 e-tron, and e-tron GT — and locked before delivery. RetroLab Pro re-enables the full adaptive system for all three models, covering every supported model year from 2018 to 2026.

3EV Models
€200From
2018–2026Years Covered
+€50Add-ons From
No payment until VIN is verified
e-tron GE, Q8 e-tron & e-tron GT covered
Laser & Digital Matrix supported

Find Your Exact Price & Method

Select your model, year, and headlight type to see the exact activation price and whether you need the app or a guided remote session.

1Select Your Model
2Model Year

Years in amber may need SFD handling — we confirm during your free VIN check.

3Headlight Type
Your Activation
Audi e-tron GE
2018 · Matrix LED (PR-8G4)
APP€200
Full Audi e-tron GE details
Audi Matrix LED adaptive headlights — individual LED segments masking oncoming traffic

What Gets Unlocked

All three electric Audi models receive the same OEM-grade adaptive lighting system. No aftermarket modules — the hardware is already in your car.

Adaptive High Beam Assist

Individual LED segments mask oncoming and preceding vehicles in real time. In a quiet EV cabin the effect is immediate and perceptible — the road stays fully lit while oncoming drivers see no glare.

Cornering Light + Highway Mode

Dynamic beam follows the road ahead of the steering input. Highway mode extends range at speed. Intersection mode broadens spread at low-speed junctions.

e-tron GT Exclusives: Blue Laser + RS Animation

Laser-equipped e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT owners can add Blue Laser Light (+€50) for a significantly extended high beam reach, and RS Animation (+€50) for the RS-style dynamic sweep on lock/unlock.

Carpet Light — Digital Matrix Add-on

Available on e-tron GE (2018–2023) and Q8 e-tron (2022–2023) with Digital Matrix (PR-8G5). Projects a 50m light runway that maps your exact vehicle width — a precision visual guide through construction zones and dark roads. Optional at +€50.

How It Works

01
Submit Your VIN — Free Check

We look up your VIN in Audi's production database and confirm the exact headlight hardware fitted — PR-code, model year, and whether you have standard Matrix, Digital Matrix (8G5), or Laser. If your car is compatible, you get a PayPal payment link. Nothing is charged before that confirmation.

02
Pay, Then Connect

Plug the ENet cable into the OBD-II port in your driver-side footwell (same port on all three electric models), open RetroLab Pro on Windows or iPhone, and tap Activate. For 2024+ vehicles, a RetroLab Pro tech connects remotely to complete the activation on your machine.

03
Matrix Active — Permanently

The coding is written directly into your headlight control module — permanent licence, VIN-locked. Certain dealer software updates (such as an SVM run) can clear it, though a routine service visit won't. If that happens, simply rerun the app at no extra charge. No recurring fees, no subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to unlock Matrix headlights on my Audi EV in the US and Canada?
Yes. Matrix LED headlights are fully legal in the US and Canada. NHTSA updated FMVSS 108 (effective February 2022) to allow segmented adaptive high beam, and Transport Canada's CMVSS 108 mirrors US standards closely. Canadian-spec Audi e-tron, Q8 e-tron, and e-tron GT vehicles carry the same factory Matrix hardware as US models — the activation process, pricing, and requirements are identical.
Is it legal in the US? →Is it legal in Canada? →
Does RetroLab Pro support all three Audi electric models for Matrix activation?
Yes. The Audi e-tron GE (2018–2024), Q8 e-tron (2022–2024), and e-tron GT (2021–2025) are all fully supported. Each model has its own pricing tiers based on headlight hardware (PR-code) and model year.
What is the difference between the Audi e-tron GE and the Q8 e-tron?
The Q8 e-tron is a rebadge of the e-tron GE, renamed by Audi in November 2022. Both share the same platform, the same headlight PR-codes, and the same activation workflow. The main practical difference is the model name on the VIN. Both are covered on their respective model pages.
My Q8 e-tron has "Digital Matrix" headlights — is that different from standard Matrix?
Yes. Digital Matrix (PR-code 8G5) is a premium pixel-level beam control variant. For e-tron GE 2018–2023 and Q8 e-tron 2022–2023, it activates fully via the RetroLab Pro app at €200 — the same price as standard Matrix. Carpet Light (+€50) is also available as an add-on on these app years. For 2024–2025 models, a guided remote session is required (€300). Submit your VIN for a free confirmation of which type you have.
Does the e-tron GT have Laser headlights? What extra features come with them?
Higher trims and all RS e-tron GT models are fitted with factory Laser headlights. Two add-ons are available: Blue Laser Light (+€50), which activates the factory laser projector for an extended high beam reach, and RS Animation (+€50), which enables the RS-style dynamic sweep on lock/unlock. Both are optional and only available on Laser-equipped cars.
Why do electric models cost more for some activations?
The pricing difference is based on headlight hardware variant and model year — not the powertrain. Matrix LED (PR-8G4) and Digital Matrix (PR-8G5) on 2018–2023 e-tron GE, 2022–2023 Q8 e-tron, and 2021–2023 e-tron GT all activate via the app at €200. The €300 tier applies to 2024–2025 vehicles (which require SFD handling) and to PR-8G9 (Prepared for Matrix) which can only be done as a remote session regardless of year.
Why do 2024+ models show two prices — App and Remote?
2024–2025 models with Matrix LED (PR-8G4) or Digital Matrix (PR-8G5) have SFD — Audi's security layer on the headlight module. If you can open the SFD unlock window yourself through the MMI, the activation runs through the RetroLab Pro app at €200, exactly like a 2023 car. If you cannot open SFD, we perform the full activation as a guided remote session at €300 (€200 base + €50 remote handling). We confirm which situation applies when we check your VIN — you know before you pay.
What is SFD, and why does it affect 2024+ Audi activations?
SFD stands for Software Feature Disable — Audi's in-car security mechanism that restricts coding channels on certain modules. On 2024–2025 MLBevo-platform vehicles (e-tron GE, Q8 e-tron, e-tron GT), SFD is active on the headlight control unit. The car's owner must open a timed unlock window through the MMI, during which adaptation channels become accessible. If you can open that window yourself, a RetroLab Pro technician can complete the entire activation through the app at the standard price. If you cannot, we join a guided remote session to assist — that adds a flat remote handling fee. Pre-2024 cars are not affected and activate fully via the app.
Will a dealer service visit or software update clear the Matrix activation?
A routine service visit, oil change, or tyre rotation will not affect it. The activation is written directly into the headlight control module and is VIN-locked. However, an Audi SVM (Software Version Management) update — which dealers run when refreshing control unit software — can overwrite the coding. If that happens, simply rerun the RetroLab Pro app at no extra charge. No recurring fees, no re-purchase required.
What hardware do I need to activate Matrix headlights on my Audi electric vehicle?
A standard ENet cable (~$25 on Amazon) plus a Windows PC with a LAN port, or an iPhone 13/14 with a Lightning-to-LAN adapter, or an iPhone 15/16/17 with a USB-C-to-LAN adapter. Plug the cable into the OBD-II port in the driver-side footwell. No high-voltage system access, no dealer visit, no prior experience required.

In-Depth Model Guides

Audi e-tron GE — All OEM Activations
Complete feature list for the e-tron GE and e-tron S platform
Audi e-tron GT — All OEM Activations
Matrix, Laser, TSR, Subwoofer, and RS Animation on the e-tron GT
e-tron GT Matrix & Laser — 2021–2025 Guide
Year-by-year breakdown for every supported e-tron GT model year

Full step-by-step process for your electric Audi

Read the Audi Matrix Headlights Guide

Covers ENet cable setup, connection steps, the activation flow, and what to expect for every model year across all three electric Audi platforms.

Read the full guide