Porsche is bringing back a special series of its 911 Carrera and Boxster models last seen in 2012. The only catch is the Black Edition cars are only available in – you guessed it – black. Both cars are also based on the entry-level models of the 911 and Boxster, respectively.
The 911 Carrera Black Edition, available in coupe and convertible forms with rear- or all-wheel drive, comes with a 350-horsepower/287-lb.-ft. 3.4-liter flat six in the back. That output’s translated to the road through 20-inch 911 Turbo wheels.
Up front, there’s a pair of standard Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus LED headlights. The black interior features heated sports seats, a Bose Surround Sound System, phone connectivity, front and rear Park Assist, and a backup camera.
Porsche’s Black Edition Boxster packs a 265-horsepower/206-lb.-ft. 2.7-liter flat six. Logically, its soft top and rollover bars are the color of darkness. In the cockpit, there’s two-zone climate control, heated seats, and the Sound Package Plus, as well as a wind deflector for use during top-down driving. Other Black Edition touches include “20-inch Carrera Classic wheels and … bi-xenon headlights with [the] Porsche Dynamic Light System,” according to Porsche.
The 911 Carrera and Boxster Black Editions come standard with Porsche Communication Management and navigation, automatically dimming rear-view mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, and a Sport Design steering wheel. Both models are available with manual or PDK gearboxes.
All five Black Edition cars will be in U.S. dealerships at the end of July at the following prices:
Boxster Black Edition: $59,100
911 Carrera Black Edition: $88,800
911 Carrera 4 Black Edition: $94,800
911 Carrera Cabriolet Black Edition: $98,500
911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet Black Edition: $104,600
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
