Porsche 911 in the black

We've already been bombarded by the 911 Sport Classic, 911  GTS and 911 Speedster, but Porsche isn't done with its special-edition bonanza just yet.

Witness the 911 Black Edition -- pictured alongside and due to make its public debut March's Geneva motor show -- which embraces the old Henry Ford nugget: "You can have it in any colour, as long as it's black".

As its basis, the Black Edition uses the bogger 911 Carrera and its USP is that it costs exactly the same, despite being loaded with extra goodies. There's also the cachet that comes with owning a limited-edition model as the company plans to limit production to 1911 units.

In keeping with its moniker, the 911 Black Edition comes in plain black paintwork as standard, but basalt black metallic is available as an option. Naturally, the Cabrio's cloth top is also black.

However, contrast comes via the 19-inch Turbo II two-tone wheels, which are standard issue in the Black Edition. The hoops provide an unobstructed view of the brakes, naturally with black, four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed callipers.

Other clues to its identity come via "Black Edition" lettering on the stainless steel doorsills and a badge on the glove compartment lid. Of course, the basic black theme extends to the partial leather seats and instrument cluster, but highlights are provided by the decorative moulding (coated in aluminium look paint) on the dashboard, gear lever and air vents.

Standard kit in the Black Edition includes a 13-speaker (12 in the Cabrio) Bose Surround Sound-System, which includes an active subwoofer and centre speaker, as well as a seven-channel digital amplifier with a total output of 385 Watts.

Also standard are Porsche Communication Management (PCM), GPS navigation module, parking assistant, cruise control, automatic anti-dazzle mirrors and a rain sensor.

As per the standard 911 Carrera, motive power comes from a 3.6-litre flat six that punches out 254kW for a 0-100km/h split of 4.9sec in the Coupe and 5.1sec in the Cabriolet (with the manual gearbox). Specifying the PDK dual-clutch gearbox knocks off two-tenths for both body styles.

Even sharper performance can be had via the optional Sport Chrono Plus package, which incorporates the Launch Control function for a further two-tenth saving to 100 kays. Also optional are Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) with ceramic disc brakes.

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