ZKW supplies premium headlamps and rear lamps for the BMW XM

The narrow front and rear lights, which were developed by ZKW in Wieselburg, are very unusual. At the front, the dark, high-resolution LED headlamps blend harmoniously into the front of the BMW XM. At the rear of the powerful SUV, BMW relies on all-round, narrow full LED lamps with separate controls.

Alongside the BMW X7, the BMW XM is the first rear lamp project with the BMW Group. We are proud to be able to incorporate our innovative lighting solutions into these premium models, says Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.

This unique project presented ZKW's engineers with major challenges. Due to the low height of the headlamp, a special light guide concept had to be developed. 'The development of the headlamp presented the BMW design team and ZKW with a particular challenge. It had to be as narrow as possible in order to emphasize the unique design of the vehicle,' explains Wolfgang Zeidlhofer, project manager at ZKW.

ZKW developed a split front light with two high-resolution LED modules that integrate headlamps with low beam and high beam as well as daytime running lamps with LED light guides for position lights, direction indicators and sidemarkers (for the US version).

When developing the front and rear lamps for the BMW XM, not only was technical perfection required in very small installation spaces, but also maximum dimensional accuracy and small gaps. The adjustment system for the components in the rear lamps is unique, allowing a particularly small gap to be achieved between the different light functions. However, the small installation space in the bumper for the headlamps also presented the ZKW development team in Wieselburg with a major challenge, which was successfully overcome with a space-saving design. The headlamps of the BMW XM are produced in various international ZKW plants.