Is there a difference between Xenon and Bi-Xenon headlights?

Question

I've been looking to buy a new car and have been looking at equipment lists etc. I noticed "Xenon headlights" for a few cars, whereas other manufacturers had "Bi-Xenon headlights". Is there a difference? If so, what is it?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Normal Xenon lamps (as on my 2003 Renault Mégane) only supply the dipped beam - the main beam is supplied by a separate conventional halogen bulb.

Bi-Xenon means that the main beam is also supplied from a Xenon source.
There are two methods of doing this - use a second Xenon bulb in the separate main beam reflector each side (e.g. VW Phaeton), or use a motorised shield to provide both dipped and main beam from one Xenon bulb each side (e.g. Lamborghini Gallardo).

Answer 2

HI this all is about certain facts to it is in advisable to fit Hid headlight bulbs if the car is not fitted with headlight washers. then there is the question of cost a pair of blue xenon bulbs bought on line are far cheaper than those bought in a retail outlet store. the hid come with a purpose kit of bits which need to be fitted because the bulbs are not 12 volts they are actually a 36volt unit which means each has it's own power pack which makes them more expensive something like 10 times the cost of the blue xenon bulbs.

Answer 3

when i worked for hella making headlights for jagX150 cars, i made both xenon and bi-xenon headlight units. the main difference was an extra motor on the lamp module for xenon units (i think i have this the right way round). this motor is used direct the lamp in sinc with the stearing. the bi-xenon units had just one motor for up-down movement of the lamp.