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

Audi Electric 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 2025.

3EV Models
€200From
2018–2025Years Covered
+€50Laser Add-ons
No payment until VIN is verified
e-tron GE, Q8 e-tron & e-tron GT covered
Laser & Digital Matrix supported
Legal in the US & Canada

All Three Audi EV Models

Select your model to see full pricing tiers, year coverage, and the activation details

e-tron GE
GE · 2018–2024

Audi e-tron GE

e-tron, e-tron S, e-tron Sportback, e-tron S Sportback

Headlights: Matrix LED (8G4) · Digital Matrix (8G5)

The original Audi electric SUV. Audi installed Matrix LED hardware on every US e-tron GE — but locked the adaptive function before delivery. The 2022+ Q8 e-tron rebadge is a separate model page.

Matrix LED (8G4), 2018–2023
€200App
Matrix LED (8G4), 2024
€300Remote
Digital Matrix (8G5), all years
€300Remote
No PR-8G4/8G5, 2018–2023
€300Remote
See e-tron GE details
Q8 e-tron
GE · 2022–2024

Audi Q8 e-tron

Q8 e-tron, SQ8 e-tron, Q8 e-tron Sportback

Headlights: Matrix LED (8G4) · Digital Matrix (8G5)

Audi rebadged the e-tron GE as the Q8 e-tron in November 2022. The headlight activation logic is identical — the same PR-codes and pricing tiers apply. Both model variants are fully supported.

Matrix LED (8G4), 2022–2023
€200App
Matrix LED (8G4), 2024
€300Remote
Digital Matrix (8G5), all years
€300Remote
No PR-8G4/8G5, 2022–2023
€300Remote
See Q8 e-tron details
e-tron GT
FW · 2021–2025

Audi e-tron GT

e-tron GT, RS e-tron GT

Headlights: Matrix LED · Laser LED

The Gran Turismo on Audi's J1 platform. Higher trims and all RS e-tron GT come with factory Laser headlights — adding optional Blue Laser Light (500m+ range) and RS Animation (dynamic sweep on lock/unlock).

Matrix LED, 2021–2023
€200App
Matrix LED, 2024–2025
€300Remote
Laser LED, 2021–2023
€200App
Blue Laser +€50 / RS Animation +€50
Laser LED, 2024–2025
€300Remote
Blue Laser +€50 / RS Animation +€50
See e-tron GT 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 500m+ high beam range, and RS Animation (+€50) for the RS-style dynamic sweep on lock/unlock.

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+ and Digital Matrix 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 (OLED, PR-code 8G5) is a premium variant available on some Q8 e-tron and e-tron GE models. The activation is remote-session only and priced at €300 (~$360 USD) for all model years — the same as the 2024+ standard Matrix tier. 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 / ~$60 USD), which activates the factory laser projector for 500m+ high beam range, and RS Animation (+€50 / ~$60 USD), 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 €300 for some activations when combustion models are €200?
The pricing difference is related to the headlight hardware variant and model year, not the powertrain. Standard Matrix LED (PR-8G4) on 2018–2023 e-tron GE and 2021–2023 e-tron GT is €200 via the app — the same as any other model. The €300 tier applies to 2024+ vehicles (SFD2 security), Digital Matrix (8G5), and app-incompatible hardware configurations.
How does the silent EV cabin affect the Matrix headlight experience?
At night the adaptive lighting is noticeably sharper in an electric Audi because there is no engine noise masking the environment. The instant transition of individual LED segments masking oncoming drivers — and then restoring full brightness as they pass — is more perceptible in a quiet cabin. It's one reason Matrix activation is particularly popular among e-tron owners.
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 coding knowledge 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