• 2003 Adaptive Headlights
• 2005 High-beam Assist
• 2006 Night Vision
• 2007 Variable Light Distribution Technology

The BMW 5 Series has been a leading light in vision systems, especially for night-time driving.

Now BMW introduces a further innovation in intelligent illumination: Variable Light Distribution technology. This varies the shape of the illumination cast by the headlamp, depending on driving conditions. The aim is to enhance safety at various speeds, on different types of roads at night, or in poor weather.

From the launch of the E60 generation 5 Series in 2003, BMW has offered this sublime sedan with the universally acclaimed BMW adaptive headlights system. This ensures the headlights follow the curve of the road, especially useful at night where there are no street lamps.

In late 2005, BMW introduced High-beam Assist to the 5 Series, which took away the need to flick from high beam to dipped beam when travelling in rural areas. High-beam Assist automatically detects the presence of other cars and switches back to dipped beam, then reverting to high beam once the other vehicle has passed, or been passed. The system is controlled via a camera which is integrated into the interior mirror and which monitors brightness and road traffic.

BMW Night Vision appeared in 2006, using Far Infra Red technology to detect heat-emitting objects further up the road than the headlights could reach, providing early warning of pedestrians, or uniquely in Australia, roaming wildlife such as kangaroos, and helping to prevent animal strikes.

Earlier this year, the new cornering light system arrived on the revised 5 Series range, providing pools of light close to the car, enhancing cornering safety.

Now BMW introduces variable light distribution technology for the 5 Series in conjunction with the adaptive headlights package.

Perfect light, intelligently controlled.

In a typical city night-time driving situation at speeds below 50 km/h, the system ensures a broader distribution of light making it easier to recognise objects on the oncoming side of the road.

In freeway mode, the driver’s field of vision is extended by giving the light beam a longer range, and again offering greater illumination on the far side of the road.
Activation of the fog lamps at speeds of up to 70 km/h also generates broader light distribution and brightens up the area close to the car.

At higher speeds, the headlight range is also extended over and above the broader distribution of light.

Cornering Lights.

Cornering Lights are offered as part of the adaptive headlights package. Cornering Lights are activated at speeds between 35 and 60 km/h when the driver operates the direction indicators or turns the steering wheel to a particularly sharp angle.
When taking bends at higher speeds of up to 70 km/h, the cornering light function is activated in narrow curve radiuses, supplementing the illumination from the adaptive headlights system. This provides optimum illumination of the road when manoeuvring or on very twisty roads.

Automatic Headlight Control.

The automatic headlight control function, which comes as standard, renders driving in varying weather conditions even safer. With this function the onboard electronics system checks the prevailing light conditions via two sensors in the windscreen and automatically switches on the low (dipped) beam as soon as this becomes necessary – for example when driving through a tunnel or at dusk. The rain sensor, also featured as standard, is an ideal supplement to the headlight control function. When required, it automatically activates the windscreen wipers and adapts their wipe rate to rainfall intensity.

BMW Night Vision.

BMW Night Vision, available as an option, offers an even higher standard of safety when driving at night. The “heart” of this unique system is a thermal imaging camera able to detect people, animals and objects emitting heat at a distance of up to 300 metres either in or next to the road, then transmitting a high-contrast image to the central Control Display also used by the navigation system. As a result, the driver gains an early warning of a potential danger he may be unable to see even with his headlights on.