Autoblog

So far, BMW's deliveries of 7 Series models are up 26% versus a year ago. Much of that is likely due to the freshening the car underwent last year, making the controversial Chris Bangle design a bit more pleasing to the eye. Always looking for a way to keep things interesting, BMW has now introduced a new Exclusive Edition package that will be available for European 7 Series models starting in the fall. (It may well be available in North America, too. BMW has not posted an announcement directed at that market yet.)

The Exclusive Editions introduce two new paint colors -- Carbon Black and Stratus Grey, two new interior schemes --Ecru and Gold Brown, and new uneven-width 19" wheels. The paint and interior colors can me mixed and matched to create four individual Exclusive Edition combos. The new exterior finishes reflect light differently depending on the amount of sunlight and angle of viewing. The new interiors are swathed in soft Merino leather. A two-tone steering wheel, piano black or dark ash wood trim, and anthracite or alcantara (V12 models) headliners complete the package.

Pricing for the Exclusive Edition package is only slightly higher than what one would pay for standard metallic paint, 19" wheels, and Club Leather interior, so it should find its way onto a fair number of cars.

(Additional info, photos after the jump)

[Source: BMW via LuxuryLaunches]

Stratus Grey w/ Ecru:





Carbon Black w/ Gold Brown:




Press Release:

Exclusive Editions for the BMW 7 Series. Customer Deliveries up 26 per cent in the First Half of 2006 - Most Successful 7 Series of All Times.

14.07.06

Munich. Approximately one year after the market launch of the BMW 7 Series model update, this exclusive model series is continuing its highly successful career in an even more competitive luxury performance saloon segment: In the first half of 2006, 26 per cent more 7 Series were delivered to customers than in the same period last year, making the current model the most successful 7 Series in the history of BMW. After 4 ½ years in the market, customer deliveries of BMW's luxury performance saloon amount to almost 235,000 units.


The BMW 7 Series - the trendsetter in the luxury performance class.

What makes the unique success story of the 7 Series even more positive and exhilarating for the BMW Group is that the 7 Series set significant new trends from the start when launched in 2001. Numerous product features of the 7 Series, in particular the car's control philosophy and various elements of its design language, are now to be found in many luxury performance automobiles. Five years ago these features were regarded as very progressive and were the subject, at least in part, of controversial public discussions. Today, on the other hand, they are accepted in full as natural strengths and assets. This alone underlines the pioneering achievement of the BMW 7 Series, with the strategic product decisions taken by BMW at the time having proved to be highly successful.


Special Edition Exclusive 7 Series coming in autumn even more appealing than ever before.

To enhance the unique appeal of the 7 Series to an even higher level, BMW is offering four Edition models as of autumn 2006, featuring exclusive combinations of paintwork and upholstery, new 19-inch light-alloy wheels, and particularly luxurious interior features.

These four Edition models are as follows:

Special Edition Exclusive Carbon Black/Gold Brown
Special Edition Exclusive Stratus Grey/Ecru
Special Edition Exclusive Carbon Black/Ecru
Special Edition Exclusive Stratus Grey/Gold Brown


Two exclusive paintwork options for a classic and elegant look.

From outside the four Edition models can be distinguished at first sight by the two exclusive Carbon Black Metallic and Stratus Grey Metallic Edition paintwork options offering unique brilliance of colour and creating different shining effects depending on the angle of observation and light falling on to the car. In all cases, the special paintwork gives the 7 Series a classic and elegant appearance.

In addition to this unique paintwork, the Edition models come with new 19-inch light-alloy wheels in star-spoke 231 design. Also available separately, these wheels measuring 9J x 19 at the front and 10J x 19 at the rear come on different-sized tyres front and rear with the dimensions 245/45 R 19 and, respectively 275/40 R19.


Enhanced range of leather upholstery in top-quality Merino leather.

Inside, the Edition models boast an enhanced range of leather upholstery in Merino leather available in both Gold Brown and Ecru. Merino leather is largely natural, thick cowhide, a particularly mild and soothing tanning process serving to highlight the natural character of the leather and retain its open pores. This keeps the surface of the leather soft and supple at all times.

Merino leather is not subjected to any kind of additional surface treatment, such as the application of colour layers or any kind of artificial graining. But precisely this makes it essential to use the highest quality of raw material, only skins with a perfect, untouched surface being good enough for production purposes. Merino leather upholstery gives the complete interior of the car a very natural and particularly exclusive ambience.


Interior with top-class materials plus high-quality, colour-matched details.

The exclusive character of the Edition models is clearly underlined within the car by a wide range of additional details. As an example, these special models come with a leather sports steering wheel matched to the colour of the upholstery and complete with a twin-tone steering wheel rim. The foot mats in velours come with leather piping in the colour of the upholstery chosen. And interior trim in Piano Paint black and Ash Grain dark is specifically matched to the colour world of the interior.

A further highlight of the four Special Edition Exclusive models is the roof lining in Anthracite forming a harmonious contrast to the car's upholstery. On the two top-of-the-range 12-cylinder 760i and 760Li models, the roof lining is even made of top-quality Alcantara.

The four Edition versions will be available as of autumn for all models in the 7 Series. The very low and therefore attractive price premium in the German market is between Euro 7,100.- and 10,420.- incl VAT, depending on the Edition version and the model itself. The purchaser of a BMW 730d, for example, already deciding in favour of "standard" metallic paint, 19-inch wheels with different-sized tyres and Full leather Club upholstery, would pay an extra price of just Euro 1,500.- incl VAT for the Special Edition Exclusive model in Stratus Grey/Ecru.

All photos courtesy of BMW