Xenon in a 2014 Peugeot 208: Pilot Digital Line Customer Review

The owner of this Peugeot, Mr Hameleers, is an old friend of ours: this is already the 5th time we have seen him for the fitting of a Digital Line xenon kit. This time in his new 2014 Peugeot 208.

We have also fitted his wife's and his son's cars with the best xenon light going.

Xenon in a Peugeot 208: H7 5000K Digital Line

For the Peugeot 208 we installed the H7 5000K Digital Line xenon kit.

New: the Hilox Evolution xenon kit

Want a better xenon kit that is easier to install and 100 euros cheaper into the bargain? Then go for the H7 Hilox Evolution xenon kit. Not only is this xenon kit easier to install, it also gives 1,000 lumens more light than the Pilot xenon kits. In the world of aftermarket xenon, this is the breakthrough of 2016.

The customer's review

"I am very pleased with the result and the service. The fitting service by the mechanic Iwan is excellent too! I can recommend this xenon kit service to anyone."

What you need to know about an H7 xenon kit

The Peugeot 208 in this story got an H7 kit. A xenon kit for a halogen headlight consists of two xenon bulbs and two ballasts. The ballast converts the on-board voltage into the high voltage a xenon bulb needs to ignite and keep burning.

Hilox no longer sells the Digital Line from this story. For H7 there is now the H7 Xenon Kit Hilox Evolution II Black. According to the product data:

• Immediately 4 times more light than with halogen.
• An IC chip that keeps the current stable and prevents overheating and flickering bulbs.
• A CAN-bus II module, so the kit works without faults in cars with CAN-bus or lighting monitoring.
• Xenon bulbs that, according to Hilox, last 20% longer than other xenon bulbs.
• 2 years' warranty on both the bulbs and the ballasts.
• In the box: 2 H7 xenon bulbs and 2 Hilox Evolution II ballasts.

If you only need one bulb, there is the H7 Evolution II Black Solo.

5000K or a different colour temperature?

In the 208 it was 5000K. Colour temperature is expressed in Kelvin: the higher the number, the whiter and bluer the light looks. The current Evolution II kit comes in three colours:

• 4300K: warm white light.
• 5500K: bright white light, the closest to the 5000K from this story.
• 6500K: white light with a blue tint.

If you mainly want a fresh white colour that matches modern headlights, 5500K is the obvious choice. A warmer or bluer tint is a matter of taste.

Fit it yourself or have it fitted?

Mr Hameleers had the kit fitted by mechanic Iwan. If you want to do it yourself, these are the steps that usually come up with an H7 headlight:

1. Find a spot for the ballasts: flat, dry and away from hot components, with the cable within reach of the headlight.
2. Switch the lights off and let the halogen bulbs cool down.
3. Remove the dust cover and take the H7 halogen bulb out of the headlight.
4. Insert the xenon bulb. Hold it by the base and do not touch the glass.
5. Connect the bulb to the ballast and the ballast to the original bulb connector. Tuck the cables away neatly.
6. Test the light before you close the dust cover for good. Xenon needs a moment to warm up before it burns at full strength.

After fitting, have the beam aimed and check that your car still meets the APK requirements (the Dutch roadworthiness test). If you are unsure, ask the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) or your inspector. Would you rather have it fitted? Get in touch with us.

Halogen, xenon or LED?

You can upgrade an H7 low beam with xenon or with LED. The differences at a glance:

• Halogen: the standard bulb in many cars, with a yellower light.
• Xenon: plenty of light and a white colour, but with a short warm-up time. According to the product data, the H7 Evolution II kit gives 4 times more light than halogen. Browse all Hilox xenon kits and separate xenon bulbs.
• LED: at full strength straight away. According to the product data, the H7 XTR Black LED kit gives 3.5 times more light than halogen. You will find more choice under LED low beam and high beam.

A word of caution about use on public roads

The product data for the H7 Evolution II xenon kit states that the kit has no ECE approval or E-mark and is therefore not intended for public roads, but only for the track and private grounds. Read this carefully before you order a xenon kit, and if in doubt, ask the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) or your inspector what applies to your car.