With the recent addition of the 2012 911 Black Edition and the 2012 Boxster S Black edition, some Porsche fans are wondering why? Is Porsche simply trying to sell more cars? Do they really think that consumers will buy any Porsche just because it’s called a limited edition? Sure, creating demand and increasing sales is definitely part of their plan, but it’s not the whole picture. In fact, while there’s nothing wrong with these questions they take the focus off the real points in our opinion;Value and Buzz.
Porsche Highlights Value
When the 911 and Boxster Black editions were introduced last month, both showcased a feature not usually highlighted by Porsche;Value. Each of these black beauties came standard with a number of tricks and toys that would otherwise be optional in their non-limited brethren. More importantly, and to the point, they are produced this way at a price much less than their similarly equipped production versions.
2012 Boxster S Black Edition Value
Porsche includes in the MSRP a Convenience package (Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering function, wind deflector, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor and automatic climate control) and an “infotainment”package featuring a touch-screen PCM system with navigation, BOSE surround sound system and XM Satellite radio (wit the XM NavTraffic). In addition to the comfort items, the black edition comes standard with the lightweight 19″wheels normally found on the Boxster Spyder (painted black of course along with almost every piece of visible trim).
All together, at $65,200, this limited edition of 987 units, saves you $3200 from a similarly equipped Boxster S and does so while adding an additional 10 horsepower (something no option package can offer at any price). With 10 extra horses the Black Edition Boxster S is now on par, power wise, with the Boxster Spyder and the Cayman S (neither of which are limited editions).
2012 911 Black Edition Features and Value
While the 911 Black edition doesn’t add horsepower, and the sticker price puts it more than $3k higher than a bare bones Carrera, it does offer a whole host of options (included in the standard price) that would bloat a non-limited Carrera’s price tag nearly $10,000. By anyone’s math, that’s some serious savings. Besides the triple black treatment (paint, interior and wheels), your stealth Carrera comes with 19″Turbo II wheels, a navigation system, BOSE surround, heated power seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors and the universal audio interface. At just 1911 units worldwide (maybe 25% coming to the US) these will most likely sell out quickly.
Limited Editions Are Not a New Strategy
Remember the 2004 550 Spyder 50th Edition? Limited to a production run of just 1953 examples this special Boxster was release just prior to the introduction of its successor (the 987) a the 2004 Paris Motor Show. What about the Porsche 911 40th Anniversary Edition? Despite the fact that the all new 997 wasn’t too far away, all 1963 units of this spruced up 911 sold out.
With US sales of only 186 Boxsters this January and 436 911 units (representing a 15% decline) Porsche needed to create some additional excitement around these aging models (above and beyond the super hi-end limited releases like the 911 Speedster or 911 GT2 RS). As it’s not a closely guarded secret that the 997 will see a replacement in the form of a 991 (and the Boxster is due for a face lift too) what better way than a limited edition that provides a value for the dollar too. If Porsche buyers are waiting on the sidelines for the latest and greatest, the all black limited editions will probably pull them in early.
You bet! Adding to the already large number of models to choose from, Porsche announced today the availability of a limited edition “Black Edition”. If the name doesn’t give it away, everything about this car is black. Black paint, black wheels, black interior, calipers (yup, they’re black too). Anyway, you get the idea.
Dressed in classic, timeless black, the Porsche 911 Black Edition, a rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera Coupe or Cabriolet powered by a 3.6-litre engine, arrives in dealerships this spring packed with features at a surprisingly reasonable price (this, surprisingly is true). Available only in solid black or basalt black metallic, the Black Edition is limited to 1,911 units worldwide. In the world of financial investments you often hear, “past performance does not guarantee future results.”I’m not so sure that’s true in the world of each and every limited edition Porsche makes available seems to sell out (think Sports Classic, 911 Speedster, GT2 RS, etc.) and do so quickly. I’m thinking the Black Edition will be no different!
Highlights of the 2012 911 Black Edition
Based on 911 Carrera (RWD) models –coupe and cabriolet
Includes extensive standard equipment (19″turbo wheels, comfort package, infotainment package, special interior trim) at value price
Available in solid or metallic black
Limited to production of 1,911 units worldwide
The 911 Black Edition isn’t only distinguished from standard 911 Carrera models by its paint color. The most prominent exterior highlights are the forged 19-inch 911 Turbo II wheels with a two-tone finish that complements the discreet elegance of the exterior color. They provide an unobstructed view of the brakes, with black, four-piston aluminum monobloc calipers. On the engine compartment lid, a chrome “911” badge replaces the standard “Carrera” lettering.
Opening the door reveals stainless-steel door entry guards emblazoned with Black Edition type. Naturally, the interior continues the exterior color scheme. An extended list of standard equipment features a SportDesign steering wheel (including shift paddles for the optional PDK transmission), aluminum-look trim on the dashboard, gear lever and air vents. The rear center console is painted in the exterior color.
The 911 Black Edition comes fitted as standard with Porsche’s popular Comfort and Infotainment option packages. It thus includes rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, heated, power seats, a 13-speaker, 385-watt BOSE® Surround Sound-System with universal audio interface, 13 loudspeakers (12 in the Cabriolet) and Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a GPS navigation module.
Under the rear lid is the same 3.6-litre flat-six engine fitted to the standard 911 Carrera, producing 345 hp at 6,500 rpm. Coupled with the six-speed gearbox, this output enables the Black Edition to achieve a top track speed of 289 km/h. The Coupé reaches 100 km/h from rest in 4.9 seconds, while the Cabriolet takes 5.1 seconds. Despite the impressive performance figures, fuel consumption remains moderate: Transport Canada’s combined fuel consumption ratings are just 9.4 L/100 km for the Coupe and 9.7 L/100 km for the Cabriolet when fitted with the optional PDK double-clutch transmission.
The 911 Black Edition enjoys all the same technical special equipment options that are offered for the regular Carrera models. First and foremost, the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) allows the Black Edition to execute superior acceleration times and instantaneous gear changes while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption. Responsiveness can be further enhanced by the Sport Chrono Plus package, which adds a launch control function and an ultra-fast racetrack gearshift strategy.
Both sportiness and comfort can be enhanced yet further if so desired. The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system allows drivers to switch between two stiffness settings and provides a 10-mm ride-height reduction for a sportier look. Coupe buyers can go even further with a PASM sports chassis, which features a 20-mm ride height reduction and a mechanical rear differential lock. To further optimize braking performance, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also available.
Porsche Black Edition Pricing
All of the extra features of the 911 Black Edition come at a very reasonable price: In the US pricing starts at $82,250 for the coupe and $92,250 for the cabriolet version. The extras that come standard in the Black edition represent a cost savings of nearly $10,000 over a similarly equipped Carrera. In Canada it’s $92,800 for the Coupe and $104,200 for the cabriolet. As such, they too represent unprecedented value; to equip a standard 911 Carrera with the equivalent option packages as well as the same exterior and interior enhancements would cost over $7,500 more.
First there was the Sports Classic. Then, just last week came the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. Now, today, Porsche introduced the world to the Porsche Carrera Speedster. In the event you aren’t sure of this drop-top’s provenance, you’ll need to think fast as Porsche will limit the production to 356 Speedsters world-wide.
Unique Features of the new Porsche 911 Speedster
Limited-production special model with numerous styling changes
Numerous interior customization touches, including checkerboard seat trim, painted panels
408-hp naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six; PDK gearbox with paddle shifters
Celebrates 25 years of Porsche Exclusive, company’s individualization/special wishes department
Only 356 copies available worldwide. In the U.S., the 911 Carrera Speedster will be available beginning in early 2011, MSRP will be $204,000.
(if you are viewing this post via your email subscription you may need to come to our site to see all the pictures above on the new 2011 Porsche Carrera Speedster)
More Details on the 2011 Porsche Carrera Speedster
Low-slung, sporty and exceptionally rare, Porsche AG’s exclusive new 911 Speedster pays homage to the first Porsche model that bore the name – the 356 Speedster – and matches it with a limited production run of just 356 cars worldwide. The ultra-rare special-edition 911 makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October.
The concept for the new Speedster was developed by Porsche Exclusive, a division devoted to the individual customization of Porsche production cars for customers as well as the creation of limited-run models. In fact, the new 911 Speedster celebrates the 25th anniversary of the department.
Following in the footsteps of the 911 Sport Classic, which was not offered in Canada, the 911 Speedster features almost all optional equipment from the 911 series as standard, along with many unique design features not available on other 911 models. As such, it is the ultimate example of a factory-customized 911, with upgrades to its exterior design, interior trim and performance features.
Markedly different from other 911 models, the Speedster comes exclusively in a two-seater configuration, with a windscreen that is more raked back and also lower by 60 mm. The sporty manual soft top with its flatter contours tucks beneath a new, characteristic double-bubble hard cover, while the rear wheelarches are 44 mm wider. The 911 Speedster also features a unique front apron, specific side skirts and a distinct rear apron. Top up or down, it is distinctive, instantly recognizable and unlike any other 911 model.
A large part of appeal of the 911 Speedster also comes from its meticulously hand-finished interior. Black smooth-finish leather is combined with numerous details to match the exterior of the car. These include decorative designs with chequered-flag patterns in the centre sections of the power-adjustable adaptive sports seats, leather side bolsters in the exterior colour and numerous painted trim pieces, also matched to the exterior colour.
Indeed, the exterior colour, Pure Blue, was developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other black decorative designs. (Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White.)
Under the hood, the 3.8-litre flat-six, fitted with Porsche’s Exclusive Powerkit, delivers 408 hp, 23 hp more than a 911 Carrera S. Yet, in line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance development philosophy, it uses no more fuel on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmits power to the rear axle, which is fitted with a standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also standard.
Exemplary protection for driver and passenger comes standard in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this open-top model, Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which is standard in all convertible Porsche cars.
The new Speedster is only the fourth model to wear the iconic name. In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows, and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the first Speedster based on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature: for the first time, the hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. The last 911 Speedster was available in 1993-1994.
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