Hyundai Reveals How The Tucson's Hidden Lighting Works

TheHyundai Tucsonis loaded withtechnological advances, but one of the features the brand is especially proud of is the SUV's lighting system. The headlights and taillights are both defining features of the new vehicle and were a big part of helping make the car instantly recognizable when it wasfirst teased. But while you may concede that they look pretty cool, you may not know just how advanced and intricate the systems for illumination on each end of the Tucson are.

In case you were wondering, Hyundai calls its lighting system Parametric Hidden Lights and now the Korean automaker has revealed just what goes into making them work.

Hyundai's newhalo modelfeatures lighting inspired by theVision T SUVconcept, but how does light shine through chrome in the Tucson's grille? Well, it doesn't. Let us explain: On the surface is the lens which employs mirror lighting technology. Beneath the surface of the lens is a thin layer of a specialized metal surface coating. Nickel-chrome promotes resistance to heat but subtle, dark chromium colors in the radiator grille provide shade over the lens, thus hiding the lighting elements beneath and helping the lights to appear identical to the jeweled grille elements.

But for the light to penetrate this shaded lens, and bounce off the half-mirrors, Hyundai increased brightness levels so that it exceeded the required level even with the application of the nickel-chrome coating. But don't worry - a sensor has been integrated to reduce the power levels sent to the headlights if it detects too high a rise in temperature.