Porsche releases Black Edition sports cars

Porsche Cars Australia has announced new Black Edition versions of the Boxster and 911 as part of a 2016 Model Year line-up that also brings price increases and extra standard features for other models.

Available exclusively with a black exterior, Porsche says the new Boxster Black Edition offers $15,000 of extra standard equipment over the entry-level Boxster on which it's based.

Additional specifications include 20-inch Carrera Classic alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), black painted rollover bar, auto-dimming rear-view and side mirrors, sport design steering wheel, embossed Porsche crest on the head restraints and door guards with ‘Black Edition’ logo.

The Boxster Black Edition manual is priced at $110,800 plus on-road costs -- $5700 more than the entry-level MY16 Boxster, which at $105,100 is $2300 pricier than the MY15 Boxster ($102,800).

The Boxster Black Edition automatic is priced from $116,190 -- $6100 more than the MY16 Boxster PDK, which at $110,090 is also $2300 dearer than the model it replaces.

Porsche has also hikes the price of the MY16 Boxster S, to $131,500 for the manual and $136,490 for the auto (both up $2600), as well as the MY16 Boxster GTS – to $148,600 manual and $154,890 – both up $3100.

However, the MY16 Boxster and Boxster S both come with more standard equipment, including a multi-function steering wheel
14-way electric sports seats and Front Park Assist – the latter being the only upgrade for the MY16 Boxster GTS.

Similar spec upgrades apply to the MY16 Cayman and Cayman S, both of which score a multi-function steering wheel, heated seats and Front Park Assist. The latter two features have also been added to the MY16 Cayman GTS, but there are no price hikes for any Cayman models.

Meantime, the new 911 Black Edition is available in both Coupe and Cabriolet body styles and with two drivetrains – rear-drive C2 and all-wheel drive C4.

Porsche claims all 911 Black Editions come with an additional $25,000 of extra standard features over the Carrera models, including a full-leather interior, 20-inch 911 Turbo alloy wheels, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+), front/rear Park Assist including reversing camera, embossed Porsche crest on the front head restraints and door guards with ‘Black Edition’ logo.

Prices start at $209,500 for the 911 C2 Coupe Black Edition, which represents a $900 premium over the base 911, but all other 911 Black Edition variants are actually cheaper than the models on which they're based.

That includes the 911 Carrera Black Edition Cabriolet (from $226,100 -- $3800 less than the base 911 Cab), the 911 Carrera 4 Black Edition Coupe (from $223,300 -- $1000 less) and the 911 Carrera 4 Black Edition Cabriolet, which at $240,000 plus ORCs is $4400 less than the standard C4 Cab.

There are no price changes for any other MY16 911 variants and all Black Edition specials will be available for delivery from September – around the same time Porsche is expected to reveal significantly upgraded versions of both the 911 and Boxster/Cayman in Europe.

Last year Porsche sold 366 examples of the 911 in Australia, making 2014 its best sales year since 2007, while 211 versions of the Boxster were sold in 2014 – the roadster’s second best sales year since 2007.

Meantime, Porsche has also announced MY16 upgrades the Panamera S, 4S, GTS and S E-Hybrid, all of which receive LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+) and Digital Radio (DAB+), while the MY16 Panamera Turbo and Turbo S score PDLS+ and DAB+ -- all for no extra charge.

The MY16 Macan S and Macan S Diesel also gain Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, but now cost $88,000 (up $3100) and a $89,700 (up $3000) respectively, while the Macan Turbo now costs $126,200 – up $3800.

Finally, MY16 Cayenne prices announced by Porsche today shows the pricing for the newly facelifted base Cayenne Diesel rises by $1400 to $106,100, while the Cayenne is now $108,000, the Cayenne S is $41,600 (up $1700), the Cayenne S Diesel is $144,800 (up $1600), the Cayenne S E-Hybrid is $140,800 (up $1600), the Cayenne GTS is $154,600, the Cayenne Turbo is $233,300 (up $2500) and the Cayenne Turbo S costs $284,700.