Ambient lighting. It makes the cabin of the car feel more like a Dutch brothel than not having them
 
If they’re like the small red lights that were in the overhead console in the mk6 Golf GTD I owned some years ago, they’re positioned so as to illuminate the gear lever and surrounding area so it’s easier to see the gear lever after dark.

Red lighting is more subtle than white, so less distracting when it’s dark.
 
That was what I was assuming you meant when I posted my reply above ?.