BMW first introduced these unique headlights on the E39 5 Series in 2001 with the headlight and tail light redesign for the BMW 5 Series. These were powered by fiber optics pointing through a filament light bulb. For that time, the original concept for what they called Corona Rings are used as daytime running lights was revolutionary, but this original design is very dim, especially by today's standard when comparing with the new Audi or Mercedes' daytime running lights.

Soon after this revolutionary new design, fiber optic and cold cathode fluorescent lighting (also known as CCFL) were invented in 2004 for BMW E36 3 Series, before 2001 BMW E39 5 Series and BMW E46 3 Series, which did not come with the rings.

Beginning in 2003 with the 7 Series, BMW has begun including angel eyes on all of their models rolling out from the factory including including the BMW E65 7 Series, E60 5 Series, E53 X5, E70 X5, E71 X6, E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series and E82/E87 1 Series. These are fiber optic systems that are powered by either a filament bulb and later H8 halogen bulb.

For all the newer model BMW with stock halo rings, the newer and brighter high power LED lights have been adapted to replace the stock filament bulbs or H8 halogen bulbs to make the BMW Angel Eyes in a HID matching Xenon White color and brighter at night time