It appears that the next generation 1-series (F20) will be the first BMW to feature integrated side view mirror lights. We first suspected this when the F20's latest stage of camouflage
was first spied. Here was the circumstantial evidence:
- BMW test mules often have the orange tape/stripe on its side view mirrors, as camouflage/decoy. However, this decoy tape has always been removed once the heavy camouflage on the car's lights are removed. With the F20, the heavy camouflage on the test mules' lights have already been removed, but the orange decoy tape remains to serve as camouflage.
- The orange mirror tape has perforations (see F20 photo below), which has never been seen on the mirror camouflage previously. All orange decoy tape has been solid.
- Flash photography from the spy photographers reveals some reflective element through the orange tape's perforations, indicating a reflective material (plastic) underneath (see F20 photo below).
These may have been circumstantial evidence previously, but the existence of these lights has now been
confirmed by Scott26 who explains that there is legislation coming which will require that all cars' side turn indicator lights be located in a higher position than the traditional blinkers on side fenders of the car. This will necessitate the use by BMW of larger wing mirrors with integrated turn indicators (such as we have already seen from other manufacturers such as Mercedes and Audi).
We have been unable to find such a EU legislative requirement, but we remain convinced on the lights from our own analysis and based on the latest insider confirmation.