OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen (CBI-NG) – Full Review

August 12, 2025

Tested in Nissan Murano, Acura TL, and Lexus RX OE Projectors – D2S fitment  

The OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen (CBI-NG) is designed for drivers who want a modern, crisp white look without sacrificing too much performance. Part of OSRAM’s premium HID lineup, this bulb is marketed as a “style and performance” option, offering a cooler 5300K color temperature compared to standard OEM HIDs while still delivering strong brightness on the road.  

In our tests, the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen produced 5273 lumens, with a 24% boost in low beam lux and a 15% boost in high beam lux over our OEM baseline, impressive for a style-focused HID. This makes it an attractive option for those who want both a whiter beam and noticeable performance gains, especially compared to other “cool white” bulbs that often sacrifice output for color.

We tested the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen in three common OE projector systems: the Nissan Murano, Acura TL, and Lexus RX. Each bulb was measured for low and high beam output, calibrated Kelvin color temperature, total lumens, and beam pattern consistency. Beam photos were also captured for direct comparison to OEM bulbs. The results showed that the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen delivers a rare balance of style and performance offering a whiter, more modern look while still improving brightness and maintaining excellent beam control across a range of projector types.

Test Methodology

Our Test Projectors, all OEM

To produce reliable, repeatable results, the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen was evaluated on our standardized version 2.0 HID test bench. This setup features a calibrated light meter positioned 25 feet from the projector lens, with all beam images projected onto a uniform white wall for clear assessment of beam shape and cutoff definition. Testing was carried out in a fully darkened room to prevent any influence from ambient light.

For this review, the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen was tested in three factory HID projector assemblies to capture performance across different beam characteristics:
• 03-08 Nissan Murano (low/high), common wide-beam style
• 04-08 Acura TL (low/high), sharper cutoff, mid-size beam
• 04-09 Lexus RX (low), tighter focus with a high-intensity hotspot

Before taking any readings, each bulb underwent a short warm-up cycle to replicate real-world startup behavior. Low and high beam lux readings were then recorded, using freshly installed OEM xenon bulbs as the baseline reference. Beam photos were captured after warm-up with a fixed-exposure camera, ensuring identical image settings for accurate side-by-side comparison.

Color temperature was measured with a spectrometer, while total lumens were averaged over the 3–5 minute stabilization window to reflect true operating output. Together, these measurements provide a complete picture of how the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen performs both in terms of hard data and actual on-road beam presentation.

Low Beam Performance

The OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen showed strong low beam results in all three OEM projectors we tested. While each projector design responded a little differently, the overall story was consistent: more brightness, a cleaner beam, and a crisper white light compared to stock HID bulbs.

Average Low Beam Output:
527 lux, which is 24 percent higher than the baseline OEM xenon bulbs. This extra punch in brightness helps extend visibility further down the road, while also giving the beam a more defined hotspot and better overall width. Cutoff sharpness remained intact, so you get the added light without unwanted glare.  

By Projector:
• Nissan Murano: 513 lux (+6% vs OEM)
• Acura TL: 363 lux (+14% vs OEM)
• Lexus RX: 705 lux (+51% vs OEM)

All three projectors benefited from the upgrade, with the Lexus RX showing the largest improvement. Even in the more conservative Murano and TL systems, the added brightness was noticeable and practical for real-world driving. Combined with its cooler 5300K color, the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen offers a nice mix of style and performance for factory HID setups.

High Beam Performance

High beam testing showed that the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen offers a solid improvement in long-distance visibility compared to OEM HID bulbs. The added brightness makes it easier to spot hazards and read road signs well before you reach them, especially in low-traffic or rural driving conditions.

Average High Beam Output:
822 lux, which is about 24 percent higher than our stock HID baseline. This extra intensity translates to better reach and more concentrated light down the road, helping to extend your reaction time at higher speeds.  

By Projector:
• Nissan Murano: 817 lux (+2% vs OEM)
• Acura TL: 838 lux (+52% vs OEM)
• Lexus RX: N/A

The biggest gain came in the Acura TL’s high beam mode, where the beam extended farther with excellent clarity. The Murano saw only a small boost in raw lux, but still benefited from a cleaner, whiter beam pattern. If you do a lot of night driving on highways or back roads, the Cool Blue Intense Next Gen can give you a noticeable upgrade in forward reach without adding glare.

Color Temperature

In our testing, the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen measured at a calibrated 5300K, which is noticeably whiter than the 4200K range found in most OEM HID bulbs. This produces a bright, pure white beam with a faint blue highlight, giving it a premium, LED-like appearance. On the road, this makes reflective signs and lane markings stand out sharply at night, while giving the headlights a fresh, modern look.

The beam remains clean and crisp without the overly blue cast found in some high-Kelvin bulbs that can hurt visibility. However, like most cooler color temperatures, 5300K may be slightly less effective in heavy rain, fog, or snow compared to warmer 4300–4500K bulbs, since cooler light can cause more glare in these conditions.

OSRAM NB220 vs CBI-NG

The CBI-NG and OSRAM NB220 take different approaches to color. The CBI-NG’s 5300K tone leans toward aesthetics, offering a pure white beam with a subtle blue accent that stands out in clear weather and looks more like a factory LED. The NB220, at 4500K, appears warmer and more neutral, making it better suited for adverse weather where glare reduction and contrast are more important.

In simple terms, the CBI-NG is the choice for style-focused drivers who want the whitest beam possible without sacrificing too much performance, while the NB220 is better for those who prioritize maximum clarity in all-weather conditions.  

Lumens

In our integrating sphere testing, the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen averaged 5,714 lumens per bulb during the 3–5 minute stabilization window. That’s about 4 percent higher than a typical OEM xenon bulb, which usually measures just over 5,500 lumens in the same time frame.

It’s worth noting that total lumens measure the overall light output in all directions, not just what reaches the road. A high lumen rating does not automatically mean better night visibility, since beam focus and intensity (lux) often matter more.

The CBI-NG’s higher total output, paired with its whiter 5300K color, can make it appear brighter to the eye and in photos. However, its lux gains over OEM were more modest than the OSRAM Night Breaker 220, meaning more of its light is spread across the beam rather than tightly concentrated in the hotspot.

The NB220 measured 5,273 lumens, about 4 percent lower than OEM, yet achieved significantly higher lux readings in our tests. This shows that while it puts out slightly less total light than the CBI-NG, more of it is directed exactly where it’s needed for visibility down the road. The CBI-NG, on the other hand, produces more overall light and a whiter beam, which can make it look brighter even if it is not always as intense in the hotspot.

In short, the CBI-NG favors an even, stylish beam with strong overall output, while the NB220 focuses on optical efficiency and concentrated performance. Which is better will depend on whether you value maximum hotspot intensity or a whiter, more uniform beam pattern.  

Longevity & Reliability

Lifespan is always a key concern with aftermarket xenon upgrades. Many budget HID bulbs are prone to fading, shifting color, or failing early due to the stress of repeated heat cycles and high-voltage ignitions. That has not been our experience with OSRAM’s premium HID lineup, and the Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen appears to follow the same high manufacturing standards as the rest of their range.

While we have not completed a full multi-month continuous runtime test on the CBI-NG specifically, its construction quality is on par with other OSRAM high-end models, including the Night Breaker 220. In our previous long-term test of the NB220, the bulbs ran continuously for over 9 months — more than 6,500 hours — without any failures, flicker, or significant drop in output. That test gives us strong confidence that the CBI-NG will also offer excellent service life under normal vehicle use.

The NB220 is slightly warmer in color at 4500K and showed exceptional stability over time, maintaining both its output and color without noticeable shift. The CBI-NG, with its 5300K tone, may show a very subtle shift toward blue or violet as it ages, which is common in higher-Kelvin xenon bulbs, but this should not meaningfully impact performance for many years.

In both cases, OSRAM’s OEM-level build quality, precise arc chamber design, and rigorous quality control help ensure long-term reliability. Drivers choosing the CBI-NG can expect not just a stylish beam, but one that will continue to perform consistently well beyond the lifespan of most lower-cost HID options.

Cost & Value

The OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen typically sells for around $150 per pair in the D2S size, putting it in the same premium price tier as the Night Breaker 220 and other top-tier OE-style HID replacements. While that is a higher up-front cost compared to off-brand bulbs or mid-range options, you’re paying for OSRAM’s proven build quality, consistent performance, and long-term reliability.

This is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. The CBI-NG improves both the style and the brightness of your headlights, delivering a pure white 5300K tone with a modest but noticeable increase in lux over OEM bulbs. For many drivers, especially those who value aesthetics, the modern LED-like look is worth the investment on its own.

The NB220 is still the stronger choice if your main priority is maximum usable light on the road. It delivers more concentrated hotspot intensity and excels in adverse weather thanks to its warmer 4500K tone. The CBI-NG trades a bit of that intensity for a whiter, more uniform beam pattern that looks cleaner and more upscale.

Both models are built to last, avoiding the rapid fading and color shifting common in cheaper HID bulbs. While you can find lower-priced alternatives, they often can’t match the optical performance or stability over time. For drivers who want a stylish HID upgrade without sacrificing OEM-level quality, the CBI-NG offers a balanced mix of appearance, performance, and durability that makes the price easier to justify.

Final Thoughts

The OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen is one of the few HID upgrades that manages to blend style and performance without leaning too far in either direction. It doesn’t go overboard with high-Kelvin marketing or sacrifice beam control for the sake of appearance. Instead, it delivers a crisp, pure white 5300K tone, solid brightness gains over OEM, and the long-term reliability you’d expect from a premium OSRAM product.

In our tests across three OE projector systems, it consistently produced a cleaner, whiter beam than stock while maintaining sharp cutoff lines and a balanced spread of light. The boost in lux, particularly in the Lexus RX and Acura TL projectors, translates to a meaningful improvement in forward visibility, while the color temperature gives your headlights a modern, upscale look.

Compared to the OSRAM Night Breaker 220, the CBI-NG trades a bit of raw hotspot intensity for a whiter, more uniform beam that stands out visually. If your priority is maximum on-road performance in all weather, the NB220 still has the edge thanks to its warmer tone and more concentrated beam. If you want your lights to look as good as they perform, the CBI-NG is the better fit.

While it sits at the higher end of the HID market in terms of price, it’s not just a “style tax.” You’re paying for OE-grade quality, consistent performance, and a beam that turns heads without compromising safety. For drivers replacing worn-out D2S bulbs who want a premium, modern look with reliable performance, the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense Xenon Next Gen is an easy recommendation.