Jan 4, 2019

Lumileds Automotive Lighting sponsors Xavier de Soultrait for the 2019 Dakar, the world’s greatest endurance and performance rally raid

Lumileds Automotive Lighting sponsors Xavier de Soultrait for the 2019 Dakar, the world’s greatest endurance and performance rally raid.
Lumileds Automotive Lighting sponsors Xavier de Soultrait for the 2019 Dakar, the world’s greatest endurance and performance rally raid.

Lumileds Automotive Lighting sponsors Xavier de Soultrait for the 2019 Dakar, the world’s greatest endurance and performance rally raid.

Suresnes, France – Lumileds, through the automotive lighting brand Philips, is sponsoring rally motorbike-rider Xavier de Soultrait, for the legendary Dakar rally raid. Lumileds ranks among the world’s largest suppliers of top-quality lighting products to the automotive industry and aftermarket.

Reliable, high-performance automotive lighting for winners

Probably the toughest rally raid in the world, the Dakar is renowned for its harsh climatic conditions, both cold and hot, and extremely challenging terrain. In 2019 it will take place in some spectacular Peruvian landscapes. Everything is pushed to the limit, which is what makes this race so demanding. Driver and vehicle must achieve the ultimate in endurance and performance.

In rallies like these, reliable, effective equipment is vital, especially when it comes to lights. Philips high-quality automotive lighting allows riders and drivers to see further and react faster without compromising on safety or bulb life.

Riding alongside Xavier will be Philips, whose high-performance automotive lighting products are made for the toughest environments. Xavier’s support trucks are equipped with Philips headlight bulbs, and his race mechanics will use Philips professional LED work lights as they maintain and repair his bike during the rally.

We’re proud to accompany Xavier throughout this legendary endurance race, and to provide him with the Lumileds and Philips automotive lighting he needs to compete and win”, said Steven Zimmer, Vice-President, Global Aftermarket Sales at Lumileds. “We put our products through the mill to ensure their performance and durability, qualities that underpin the pioneer spirit of the Dakar”, he added.

Performance and endurance with Philips headlight bulbs

For greater safety and visibility during the race, the support trucks will use the latest in headlight-bulb technology:

  • Philips X-tremeUltinon LED gen2: performing to automotive OEM  specifications, these LED retrofit headlight bulbs are equipped with exclusive Lumileds LUXEON Altilon LED chips, otherwise only available to carmakers. These lights feature optimal consistency, performance up to +250% brighter  and a cool, white light (5 800 K) for sharper vision and contrast. Specifically developed for OEM front lighting (low beam, high beam, fog and curved lighting), LUXEON Altilon SMD LEDs provide long lifetime and high reliability proven by stringent automotive testing. Projecting a wider-angled, perfectly-positioned beam, these headlight bulbs prevent glare and produce the best cut-off line. Their optimal hot-lumen ratio means that Philips X-tremeUltinon gen2 lights offer longer-term stability as well as improved thermal resistance and low power consumption.
  • Philips MasterDuty: designed for maximum vibration resistance and excellent lifetime, these 24 V headlight bulbs are the right choice for drivers seeking toughness that lasts. Philips MasterDuty offers a reinforced mount base guards against shocks.

Defeating darkness on the Dakar with Philips LED professional work lights

Xavier de Soultrait’s race mechanics will use Philips extensive range of professional LED work lights to illuminate every detail with pinpoint precision. The high-quality, white LEDs have a color temperature of 6 000 K. Their bright, intense light optimizes clarity and vision yet is easy on the eye, improving visual comfort and reducing eye strain for fatigue-free working.

Philips LED work lights are designed for the toughest environments and conform to the highest standards for shock- (up to IK09), water- and dust-resistance (up to IP68). Their batteries last from 5 to 12 hours, enough for a full day’s work.

Our Philips versatile range covers every need, from brief inspections to comprehensive maintenance and repair work. Whether it’s professional workshop LED penlights, inspection lamps, rechargeable work lamps or multi-directional lighting systems, the race mechanics will always have the right Philips lamp for the job.

To find out more on this partnership: http://philips.com/xavier

As a leading lighting solutions company for the automotive industry, Lumileds is licensed to use the Philips brand for its automotive lighting and accessories product portfolio. Technologically advanced Philips automotive lighting solutions are renowned in the automotive industry, and has been for over 100 years. The Philips Automotive Grade Quality products are designed and developed following strict quality control processes (including applicable ISO norms), leading to consistently high production standards.

To find out more: www.philips.com/automotive

About Xavier de Soultrait

Xavier de Soultrait is a 30-year-old rider with the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally team. His past performances show that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level in the Dakar. After a brilliant career in enduro, Xavier moved up to rally raid with one simple ambition – to win the legend that is the Dakar. He finished 13th in 2015, a result that got him noticed by the sport’s elite. The last three races have proved more challenging. In 2016 he pulled out three days short of the finish. A mechanical fault when he was placed 8th overall relegated him to the back of the pack in 2017. Last year he fractured his elbow while vying for the lead. Where others would have thrown in the towel, Xavier kept going. This is a rider with both eyes on the podium who’s not afraid to take risks.

To find out more: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/xavierdesoultraitofficiel/

About the Dakar

The Dakar is the world’s foremost rally raid, pushing competitors to the limit. The 2019 edition takes place in Peru and consists of 10 stages, but the event is first and foremost a unique human adventure. With a history forged in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring deserts, the Dakar has attracted men and women from all corners of the globe to compete in one of the toughest sporting challenges of our era. The race, a feat of endurance that also tests participants’ navigation skills, brings together around 500 entrants from more than 60 countries every year. Leading professional rally-raid riders and drivers compete alongside adventurous amateurs over thousands of kilometers for 15 days.

To find out more: www.dakar.com/en/dakar-world/discover

For further information, please contact:

Marine Carruelle
EMEA Marcom Manager Automotive Aftermarket
Lumileds
Tel: + 33 (0)7 87 94 57 16
E-mail: [email protected]


About Lumileds:

Lumileds is a global leader in LED and microLED technology, innovation, and solutions for the automotive, display, illumination, mobile, and other markets where light sources are essential. Our approximately 3,500 employees operate in over 15 countries and partner with our customers to deliver never before possible solutions for lighting, safety, and well-being.

To learn more about our company and solution portfolios, please visit lumileds.com.

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