Tata Motors is no stranger to introducing cosmetic editions of its cars and SUVs, and the latest of those snazzier-looking variants are called the Red Dark Editions, with Tata debuting the styling treatment on the Tata Nexon, the Tata Harrier and the Tata Safari. The Red Dark Editions add visual oomph to the designs of these SUVs with cosmetic tweaks as well as updated interiors that are different both visually as well as in terms of features.
The Red Dark Editions are a step up on the Dark Edition series introduced by Tata not too long ago. We first saw these Red Dark models at the Auto Expo 2023, with the Harrier and Safari on display. The Harrier and Safari both get Oberon black paint schemes for the exterior, with a front grille finished in piano black that is amped up by Zircon red accents. Both the SUVs get 18-inch charcoal black alloy wheels with red brake callipers and the Red Dark Edition models get the #Dark logo on the fenders. Tata had not announced plans for a Nexon Red Dark Edition, but the popular SUV now gets more stylish in the blacked-out persona, thanks to an Oberon black paint scheme, red inserts in the grille, 16-inch Blackstone alloy wheels and the de rigueur #Dark badging.
The Red Dark Editions also endow the Harrier and the Safari with more creature comforts in the cabin, and the best example of that is the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the Harrier and Safari also get 10 ADAS features. In terms of the design, the seats are now quilted and finished in red with piano black accents across the country. Also new is a 7-inch digital instrument cluster on both the Harrier and Safari, with the latter getting more features such as a 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat with ‘boss mode’ controls on it for the rear passengers. Even the sunroof now gets ambient lighting. The dashboard is now black in colour, and the Nexon too gets a similar update. The Safari Red Dark Edition is offered in both the 6-seat and 7-seat variants.
Mechanically, the SUVs remain unchanged and just like before, the Harrier and Safari continue to be powered by a 2-litre FCA-sourced diesel engine that produces 168bhp of power and 350Nm of torque and it can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed auto box. The Nexon Red Dark Edition is available in both petrol and diesel guises, being powered by 1.2-litre turbo-petrol that produces 118bhp and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel that is good for 113bhp. These engines are compliant with the BS6 Phase II emission norms that will come into force this April, and these engines are RDE and E20-compliant as well. As of now the Nexon EV is offered in the ‘regular’ Dark Edition avatar and it is yet to be confirmed whether it will get the Red Dark treatment.
Prices for the Red Dark Edition versions of the Nexon start at Rs 12.35 lakh for the petrol variant and prices for the diesel start at Rs 13.70 lakh. The Harrier Red Dark is priced at 21.77 lakh while the Red Dark Safari is priced at Rs 22.61 lakh for the 7-seat variant while the 6-seat variant is priced at Rs 22.71 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).