Black Edition Porsche Boxster S packs extra power, extra equipment and extra value
320-hp roadster is limited to just 987 units for the world
Following on the heels of the recently-announced 911 Black Edition, Porsche is introducing a new, luxuriously-equipped special edition model to dealerships this spring. The Boxster S Black Edition features a 10-hp power boost and a long list of standard equipment at a very attractive price.
This new mid-engine sports car is only available in solid black and features a monochrome treatment with a black body, black convertible top, and black-painted 19-inch Boxster Spyder design wheels. Contrasting trim pieces from the Boxster S are also painted for a uniform look: the roll-over bars and air intake grilles are painted in black, as are the twin exhaust tailpipes and the model designation on the rear luggage compartment lid. A Black Edition model designation is embossed on the side of the fabric roof.
The monochromatic exterior theme is continued inside, where black is the only available colour, with aluminum and stainless steel used as accents. The brushed door-entry guards feature Black Edition lettering and the standard SportDesign steering wheel features twin aluminum-look spokes with a rim of smooth-finish black leather. Trim strips on the dashboard and around the shift lever or gear selector are painted in black, while the instrument dials are black instead of the usual white. Two final touches are the Porsche emblem is embossed on the headrests and a limited-edition badge on the glove compartment.
Like the 911 Black Edition, the Boxster S Black Edition combines Porsche’s popular option packages to deliver excellent value to customers. The black-painted exterior and interior touches are part of the Design package available on other Boxster models. The Comfort package, also standard, includes bi-xenon headlights with dynamic cornering function, a wind deflector, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor and automatic climate control. Finally, the Infotainment package adds a touch-screen Porsche Communication Management system with navigation, BOSE surround-sound system and satellite radio.
The Black Edition’s chassis builds on the foundation of the Boxster S, which already features superior balance and excellent handling. The lightest 19-inch wheels in the Porsche lineup are fitted with larger tires – 235/35 ZR 19 front and 265/35 ZR 19 rear – a visual and dynamic upgrade from the 18-inch wheels fitted to the regular Boxster S.
A 3.4-litre six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, mounted in front of the rear axle, produces 320 hp – 10 more than in the Boxster S – while also delivering excellent fuel economy, particularly when coupled with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission. Fitted with PDK, the Black Edition will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 274 km/h. An optional Sport Chrono package further reduces acceleration times with a launch control function and provides more-aggressive Sport and Sport Plus shift strategies.
As with the 911 Black Edition, the extra functional and visual upgrades of the Boxster S Black Edition come at a very reasonable price of $74,400. Without accounting for the Black Edition’s enhanced power output, a comparable Boxster S would cost over $3,500 more.