Swarovski brings new light to BMW
The new BMW i7 electric car features a headlight that puts every other light in the shade. In partnership with Swarovski, the company has developed a crystal headlight that guarantees an effect like never before.
Tom Binder, Head of Exterior Light Design at BMW, speaks of a step that no one has taken before: “Up to now, you have only seen homogeneous light strips on the road – the crystal headlights are the complete opposite of that. The dazzling, vibrant light image is a world apart from the familiar accurate light graphic. The precision is in the glass material, though, which can be machined much more finely and precisely than plastic.”
This unique project presented new challenges to BMW engineers and Swarovski product developers alike.
Commenting on the new development of the crystal headlights, Peter Widmann, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Swarovski Mobility, said: “This collaboration with BMW, then, was more about mastery of crystal cutting and an alignment of passion between two world-renowned brands.”
The new face of the BMW i7 is defined partly by a luminous kidney contour, the headlights being divided into two positions, one above the other.
The crystals, two pairs each, are located in the upper spotlight along their entire length. Individually controlled LEDs are behind this, creating an irregular, lively glow.
They form the daytime running light and the indicator light.
The high beam and low beam discretely nestle in the lower area.
During the day, they almost look like air intakes and clearly offset the crystals in the upper headlight.
Image: Two pairs of Swarovski crystals are located in the upper spotlight of the BMW i7 along their entire length.
