The "super" headlamp bulbs are high intensity discharge bubs. They are about 3.5 times as efficient as halogen: in rough terms they are 35W instead of 55W (less fuel, less emissions), and put out twice as much light energy (lumens). In a headlamp that is designed for them, low beam light above the horizontal is no more than on halogens, the extra light goes on big increases in beam width and a significant increase straight ahead.

The big problem comes when people try to replace halogen bulbs with HID in existing headlamps: the lamps aren't designed to control the light from an HID bulb, so it goes all over the place. These replacement bulbs are actually illegal on the road, but they're sold "for off-road use". Yeah right.

If you want LED headlamps you'll have to buy a Lexus Hybrid (LED low beam, halogen high beam) or wait for the option on Audi R8 next year.

nick