I recommend a 450MM adjustable wrench tucked up next to the E-brake. A flashlight is not going to do much, but cars always need fixin and wrenches are what you use to fix one. I hear larger ones work for workin on bad guys too. Alibi built in to the car.
Defend yourself as if your life depends on it. It may very well depend on it.
First figure how much your life is worth and work the budget around that. Remember while you’re trying to shine that light in his eyes he may be beating your brains out. So while you’re in your car looking for that flashlight to fend off the carjackers. Most cars come equipped with an accelerated or gas pedal, press it instead and the horn. From what I’ve seen over the years until you get over 20 MPH or so you’ll have very little car damage from people.
yh I’m thinking the upcoming FW21 Pro. The rear switch and high output seems like the perfect combination.
C8+ XPL-hi.
Good size for hand. CLubbing. both ends for face/eyes. or blinding with strong direct light.
Long torches good. IN theory.
But you need space to swing and what’s he doing while you doing that.
Dazzle. jab rear end in eyes a coupla times.
Dazzle again. Kick him in balls.
Then run like shit.
Unless you big enuff to snot him proper.
You’re far better off using the torch as a deterrent (shine it around, illuminate suspicious dark corners, use it as your line-of-sight indicator to indicate you’re not staring ahead blindly) before any acts can take place, and being warier inside your car. Don’t give bandits an opportunity and they won’t get you.
Source: Brazilian here.
Flashlight for self defence
There’s a Nightwatch on nealsgadgets 9900 lumens. It’s small and pocket sized. It puts out a BLINDING amount of light. It gets hot fast but for your situation it wouldn’t be on but for a few moments.
With that being said… There is the old saying. “I’d rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6”
Me personally I’d rather break the law and stay alive. Maybe get yourself some pepper spray or bear spray or something.
Luckily, where I live, I can legally carry pepper spray and a knife.
I don't ever want to be forced to use it, but I carry just in case.
Last time I was in the wrong side of town in a BAD parking lot while my clueless friend went off to use a payphone ..I got approached by a junkie wanting to trade drugs for cash . He was all hopped up on something and doing a jive and duck while running thru a menu of get highs.
For some strange reason I had taken my 5th grade crossing guard badge and pinned it inside a floppy oversize wallet that evening and it happened to be on the dash as the thug approached . Without even looking I just slapped it up against the glass for his viewing pleasure and said something like "hommie ain't interested in buying sh** "... He started skating backwards bowing and apologizing and claiming he knew I was the five oh and just wanted to say Hi ..and now BYE !!!
Impersonating a police officer is a brilliant maneuver when faced with a crackhead junkie . If the police ask just tell them how proud you still are to have saved a 9 year old in 1973... I wouldn't show the attacker your orange sash or the big red stop sign .
Convoy M2 XPL HI + the new 5A biscotti driver set to turn on always at 100%
Maglite 6D with led upgrade
If you don’t know how to fight, a flashlight is probably a waste of time.
First lesson ALWAYS be aware of you surroundings.
Next, learn how to fight/ take some classes.
If I were in your shoes I would think about using a cane or walking stick, they are legal (even in the people’s republic of New Jersey 
). Learn how to fight with it. Practice! Practice! Practice!
A flashlight should be used like a hand full of sand in the face just before a strike.
Let’s turn the question around. Would I be scared if someone try to attack me with a flashlight?
Assuming the attacker is a normal person (not a professional fighter for example). I would not be impressed. And if he insists, I would just walk away or call the cops. In case he really get offensive, with the flashlight as weapon. Hum… I think I will laugh and run away. It’s not worth it to send someone to the hospital just b/c he is weilding a flashlight.
So I guess your potential attacker would probably not be deterred by a flashlight.
Sofirn SP70.
Shine it or swing it.
Have I got the perfect light for you. How about the Sofirn SF22!
I know, it's a host but just take a look at those talons! One look at those and he'll be doing a Usain Bolt!
Hank33
Unless that thing shoots bullets, if you attacked me and I have a cane you’ll “be doing a Usain Bolt”.
Is your cane like mine? 
<a href='https://postimg.cc/4nZ4G7dD' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/WpqdM0P1/S5031279.jpg' border='0' alt='S5031279'/></a>
Hi Jambon, I'm thinking that the bright light idea might dazzle someone for a moment ...maybe in a very dark night. But what comes next?
Maybe do some thinking about what you're willing to do if you face an escalating level of threat. Most of the actions you'd be able to take will probably from sitting position in the driver's seat. A baseball bat or a cane would likely be useless to you ...no room to swing in a car. Your car came with something you might want to just keep under the driver's seat ...that being the jack handle. Its an intimidating thing in a determined person's hand and is easy to move quickly with in a small space.
The best option might be to study up on the situations you might face and figure out strategies to avoid confrontation.
A small pepper spray might be worth considering as well ...again, close range stuff./
On a lighter note, maybe someone on the forum could hook you up with a Klingon pain stick. They can solve lot's of problems :-)
cough Wasp Spray cough 
This ^ Find a Jujitsu school near you and learn to protect yourself.
Just the confidence of knowing how to fight will likely keep baddies from messing with you. Most criminals are looking for “soft targets”. Don’t be a soft target.
When you know you can pretty much neutralize any threat, you are at peace. IF you were allowed to carry a firearm, that would be my recommendation but since that seems to be out of the question, learn to fight.