Headlights on the facelift spy pic - BMW M3 (E46 M3) Message Board & Forum

This German press release today can be the answer to the strange headlights in the pic below.

/RS2

BMW press release translated via Google

Light from the future: BMW pixel light a completely new, point-exact light distribution makes possible the revolutionary pixel headlight. "For us pixel light is the third stage of the BMW light technology after the Bi-xenon-module and the adaptive curve light. Thus we create a headlight, that not only intelligently, but also freely programmable", like that Dr. Martin Enders, leader illuminating engineering is the BMW Group. The basic principle of the pixel light emitter is the same, which with a normal Videobeamer application finds: Contrary to a conventional headlight, with which a large two dimensional element bundles and in the desired direction steers the incident light, the pixel light headlight on DMD basis works (digital Micromirror Device). On a DMD chip thereby 480,000 tiny micro mirrors are attached, which take over the role of the conventional reflector. The light of the emitter is diverted from these mini mirrors and led on the road. Each individual micro reflector, which corresponds to a pixel (pixel) in each case, can be individually controlled and moved over computer circuits. As for example the glare-free permanent high beam permits completely new functions, with which the range is faded out around the eye line of an accomodating road user. Also carriageway markings can be illuminated particularly intensively or navigation and warning references to the road be projected. In a first step the pixel light headlight will supplement the conventional light systems as alloying element. The normal front lights provide then for the lateral outline lighting, the pixel light emitter take over the role of a Spots, which illuminates certain ranges depending upon need strengthened. Over this intermediate step pixel light will become then a later time the exclusive front lighting - with all application possibilities, the travelling comfort and security will crucially improve.