BMW X7 M50d Dark Shadow Edition launched at Rs 2.02 crore
BMW has launched the X7 Dark Shadow Edition in India. This sinister, mean looking edition of BMW's flagship SUV is priced at a hefty Rs 2.02 crore (ex-showroom), because of its limited production of 500 units and it being brought in via the CBU route. It comes in the M50d guise for the Indian market, which means it gets a three-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine, unlike internationally, where this special edition model is based on the M50i variant.
Exterior and Interior
The BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition, as the name suggests, gets a blacked out theme inside out. The exterior features BMW's Frozen Arctic Grey Metallic paint job, which has been made available for the first time on an SUV. There are black chrome surroundings around the windows, B- and C-pillars and side rear view mirrors, which cuts down some of the in-your-face bling of the standard X7.
The X7 Dark Edition gets M Sport bodywork as standard, with colour contrast additions like gloss black kidney grilles, air vents, tailpipes, roof rails and a set of 22-inch M light V-spoke alloy wheels with a Jet-black matte finish.
Cosmetic changes on the inside include contrasting Blue Nappa over Black Merino leather upholstery and dashboard trimmed in Night Blue Alcantara. Like the standard X7, the Dark Edition gets a choice of a six or seven-seat layout and there's also a huge panoramic glass roof, which brings in more light and makes the cabin feel airy and roomier than it already is. On the digital front, the driver gets a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. A similarly sized infotainment touchscreen sits in the middle of the dashboard and runs on the seventh generation of BMW's operating system. It includes 3D Navigation, gesture control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional features include a heads-up display, massaging front seats and a full plethora of rear seat entertainment options. The X7 Dark Shadow Edition also gets a 16-speaker Harman Kardon Audio system.
Engine
BMW has chosen the X7 M50d variant as a base for the Dark Shadow Edition for India. This version gets a 3-litre straight-six turbo-diesel engine making 394bhp and 760Nm torque, it is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels via an M Sport differential. The X7 M50d Dark Edition does 0-100kmph in 5.4 seconds. Although that is very fast, especially for a 2.5 tonne SUV, the X7 Dark Shadow Edition models available internationally get even more Schnell, as they are based on the M50i variant, which gets a turbocharged 4.4-liter petrol V8 that produces 522bhp and 750Nm torque.
On the safety front, it gets six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Hill Assist function and parking sensors front and back.
Price and rivals
The BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition is priced at Rs 2.02 crore ex-showroom, India. This is Rs 35 lakh more than the top-spec X7 available in India — the X7 M50d which is priced at Rs 1.67 crore. It is also Rs 90 lakh more than its arch rival, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which starts at Rs 1.04 crore for the 450 4Matic variant. Although, the X7 Dark Shadow Edition is fully equipped with all options as standard.
The X7 Dark Shadow Edition was introduced globally last year, and with a limited production planned of just 500 units globally, it remains to be seen how many make their way to our shores. We reckon it will be a rarer sight on our roads than even some exotics from Italy.
