Technology Spotlight: Adaptive LED Headlights in the 6-Series Coupe

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Technology Spotlight: Adaptive LED Headlights in the 6-Series Coupe

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Literally one highlight about the just announced BMW 6-Series Coupe are the Adaptive LED headlights. Available as optional equipment for the 6-Series Coupe, horizontal LED ribs positioned in the centre of the light rings are used as light sources for both low beam and high beam. Squared-off LED angel eyes and LED accent lights in the upper corner complete the visual appearance.

But, the LED headlights aren't just a design feature, they also make for several technical advantages. According to BMW, "their bright white light provides an intense and even illumination of the road ahead. From a colour perspective, the light comes much closer to natural daylight than that created by conventional halogen or xenon headlights, lending even reflective objects far greater contrast."

Here's a comparison photo, to the left an F12 6-series convertible with Xenon headlights, and to the right an F13 6-series coupe with the optional LED headlights. You can see the horizontal LED ribs instead of the Xenon projectors. It also shows the LED turn indicators consisting of eight LED units each whereas the version with Xenon headlights has regular bulbs for turn indicators.

And here's a video showing the Adaptive LED Headlights in action. We can't wait them to become available for more BMW models.

Press Release

High-visibility innovation: Adaptive LED Headlights.

The new BMW 6 Series Coupe is equipped with bi-xenon headlights as standard. An accentuating trim element cuts across the top of the hallmark BMW twin round headlights to produce the intent look familiar from other BMW models. The optional Adaptive LED Headlights provide a fresh take on this established feature. The Adaptive LED Headlights for low beam and high beam contain LED light rings for the parking lights and daytime running lights, which are levelled off at the lower edge and overlapped at their top edge by an accent light – also featuring LEDs. The result is a stunning, distinctively BMW showcase for the innovative light technology below the surface. In addition, they also generate the low beam and high beam light from the two light rings. The light sources here are horizontal LED ribs positioned in the centre of the light rings. The brand’s hallmark twin round headlight look is therefore ex-pressed even more strikingly not only with the daytime running lights switched on, but also when the headlights are activated in the dark.

However, the Adaptive LED Headlights are about more than just looking good; they also ensure the driver can see well. Their bright white light provides an intense and even illumination of the road ahead. From a colour perspective, the light comes much closer to natural daylight than that created by conventional halogen or xenon headlights, lending even reflective objects far greater contrast. The cornering element of the Adaptive LED Headlights is also tailored to the car’s speed, steering angle and yaw rate, allowing the pivot of the headlights to adapt automatically to the line of the corner. Meanwhile, a light source positioned specially in the headlight housing generates the cornering light which, at low speeds, ensures illumination of the road surface in the direction the car is turning. LED technology is also deployed for the direction indicators, each of which consists of eight LED units arranged in a row underneath the light rings. As well as enhancing visibility in the dark, the Adaptive LED Headlights thus also significantly improve the signalling effect of the car’s lights.

[txusa03]

awesome. Good and bad in a way...I love new high tech but it can also mean more chance of something not working properly and can be a headache and expansive to replace

Did anyone see the backup camera behind the roundel!

[InTheNightKitchen]

Hey, Im all for function over form, BUT this the best of both worlds. The headlights are beautiful, sigh but I cant get used to he led strips (fogs or turn sigs). Next vehicle I get that has them I'll probably get something fabricated to cover them or just pull them out.

[InTheNightKitchen]

Originally Posted by txusa03

awesome. Good and bad in a way...I love new high tech but it can also mean more chance of something not working properly and can be a headache and expansive to replace

Did anyone see the backup camera behind the roundel!

Yeah thats real 007 like, looks like it's gonna let off a shot or drop some oil

[Frosty]

...I'm startting to think the headlight is a bit busy looking... almost too ornate.

Have to see it live, the led double halo looks stellar, it seems almost unecessary to clutter up the lens with so many line elements....

~Frost

[itsbrokeagain]

holy cow...those lights are awesome!!!

[Em Trey Drvr]

I don't know why they are claiming to be so innovative...several car companies have been using lights like this for over a year...(Audi, for one)

The overall look of the headlight is amazing though!!!

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by bbkg79

Yeah thats real 007 like, looks like it's gonna let off a shot or drop some oil

don't forget the torch or smoke as well

[Adj5633]

I don't see how this is Audi looking. The fogs and turn signals are led yes. But Audi uses the strips as drl's and they are all curled up around the light housing. They also still use a xenon projector, the new 6er has an actual led "projector" (if you can call it that) for night time head lights. Not to mention it still has the angel eyes we all know and love.

In short I think this looks awesome.

[esqu1re]

Reflector type LED headlights instead of projector. Interesting.

[antzcrashing]

disappointing that after you buy a 90K BMW, you still will have to pay a large premium to get LED headlights. This is the way Audi does it too, so it is not surprising, but still disappointing.

[BillLee]

the backup camera behind the roundel is awesome

[ihyln]

how long until the ricers shoehorn LED lights into their civics and blind us all? lol

[Imola.ZHP]

Awesome, maybe this will trickle down into the 3er on the after F30 generation...

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

Reflector type LED headlights instead of projector. Interesting.

I wonder why they didn't go with projector.

[ElMills]

Originally Posted by txusa03

awesome. Good and bad in a way...I love new high tech but it can also mean more chance of something not working properly and can be a headache and expansive to replace

Did anyone see the backup camera behind the roundel!

More like a headache and expEnsive when someone tries to retrofit this on their 2001 325i. Lol.


Honestly though, these things look amazing, not like the lame ones on the LS600h, those look like circa 2003 Infiniti Q45.

Audi took our iDrive and made MMI, the very least we can do is take inspiration with LEDs and B&O sound

[nlpamg]

looks pretty cool. I love the placement of the backup camera!

[DM1]

Originally Posted by ihyln

how long until the ricers shoehorn LED lights into their civics and blind us all? lol

Hahaha so true!

I think those headlights are just awesome, Audi might use LED's also but the application of the technology is different. You see the A8 and new A6 headlights with lots of LED's that make for the lighting needs, but you don't see an adaptive LED reflector projector or whatever it can be called, and I think this looks even better.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by Adj5633

I don't see how this is Audi looking. The fogs and turn signals are led yes. But Audi uses the strips as drl's and they are all curled up around the light housing. They also still use a xenon projector, the new 6er has an actual led "projector" (if you can call it that) for night time head lights. Not to mention it still has the angel eyes we all know and love.

In short I think this looks awesome.

Except for the fact that the new A8 offers optional FULL LED headlamps, where the xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights are standard.

And it's been on sale since summer. And the soon-to-be-released, all new A7 and A6 will have them as an option as well. And I believe the R8 now offers them, too.

[Em Trey Drvr]

Originally Posted by DM1

Hahaha so true!

I think those headlights are just awesome, Audi might use LED's also but the application of the technology is different. You see the A8 and new A6 headlights with lots of LED's that make for the lighting needs, but you don't see an adaptive LED reflector projector or whatever it can be called, and I think this looks even better.

R8...been an option on it for over a year...

[bavarian19]

nice

[GreyCoupe]

They are cool, but as others have stated, should be an integral part of BMW's halo coupe/convertible...