Diwali On Wheels: How Colourful Ambient Lighting Captures The Festival's Essence

As Diwali lights up homes and streets with vibrant hues of red, gold, and blue, a similar glow is illuminating the interiors of mass-market cars across India. 

This festival of lights, symbolising joy and prosperity, finds a modern echo in multicolour ambient lighting features that transform ordinary drives into festive journeys. From the Kia Seltos' mood-enhancing glow to the Mahindra BE 6's music-synced LEDs, this funky tech brings the Diwali spirit right into your vehicle.

Ambient Lighting In Affordable Rides

In recent years, multicolour ambient lighting has shifted from luxury passenger vehicles to relatively budget-friendly cars, making premium features accessible to the masses. 

Interestingly, this trend blends perfectly with Diwali's essence, where colourful lights create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Cars like the Hyundai Verna offer 64-colour options, the most affordable in India with this feature. 

Similarly, the Tata Nexon and Nexon.EV feature vibrant interiors that evoke the festival's multicoloured rangolis and lanterns. These lights not only enhance aesthetics but also improve driver mood, much like how Diwali decorations uplift spirits during family gatherings.

The Kia Seltos stands out as a pioneer in this space, with its multicolour ambient lighting that pulses in sync with sounds, creating a festive mood akin to Diwali fireworks. Priced competitively, it allows drivers to customise hues from soothing blues to energetic reds, perfect for evening puja drives. 

Other models like the Hyundai Creta and MG Hector follow suit, with the latter offering only an eight colour variation. The Nissan Magnite and Tata Curvv, also feature multiple colours, turning cabins into mini Diwali havens. 

Imagine cruising through traffic with your car interior bathed in golden light, reminiscent of diyas lining your balcony!

Dancing Lights: Syncing with Music for Party Vibes

Taking it a notch higher, some cars integrate ambient lights with music, echoing the lively Diwali parties. The Mahindra BE 6, an electric coupe SUV, features the 'Groove Me' mode where interior and exterior LEDs sync with tunes, offering over 16 million hues for a synchronised light show. This creates a pulsating vibe, ideal for festive playlists during road trips. 

The BYD Atto 3 also syncs its ambient lights to rhythms, turning every drive into a private concert. Even the Mahindra XEV 9e features similar party modes, with headlights and taillights glowing in harmony. These features capture Diwali's joyous energy, where lights and music blend quite well.

Retrofitting Multicolour LEDs

Not all cars come with factory-fitted ambient lighting, but retrofitting multicolour LEDs is a straightforward DIY project that can infuse any vehicle with Diwali's vibrant charm. 

The installation process is simple:

• Start by planning placements in areas like the dashboard, door trims, footwells, and centre console. 
• Measure and cut LED strips or fibre optic cables to fit, securing them with holders or adhesive. 
• Route wiring neatly, avoiding steering or pedals, and connect to the car's 12V power source via a cigarette lighter plug or fuse box for a cleaner install. 

Precautions include choosing heat- and water-resistant lights suited to India's climate, and monitoring battery drain. Professional installation is recommended if you're unsure, but most kits are beginner-friendly.

Prices for retrofit kits vary widely in India. Basic multicolour LED strips start at around ₹349 for simple sound-activated options. Mid-range app-controlled kits, like the GoMechanic 48-LED set, cost about ₹899, although it’s easy to find them on discounts this festive season. 

So, in a country where Diwali means family, sweets, and illumination, these car features extend the celebration beyond homes!

Also read: Diwali Discounts Light Up the Indian Car Market with Festive Offers Across Segments