Porsche has unveiled the 911 Black Edition, ahead of its launch in April.

Available as a coupe or convertible, the Black Edition features a unique appearance with a plain black exterior (basalt black metallic is optional), black brake calipers, and 19-inch 911 Turbo II bi-color wheels.

Inside, the cabin is nicely equipped with partial leather seats, a sport steering wheel, aluminum look trim, a painted center console, and Black Edition door entry guards. Other goodies include a BOSE audio system, Porsche Communication Management (with navigation), parking assistant, cruise control, automatic dimming mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers.

Power comes from a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter flat-six engine with 345 PS (254 kW / 341 hp) and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft) of torque. Paired to a six-speed manual transmission, the coupe accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds while the convertible does the same task in 5.1 seconds. Regardless of body style, the top speed is 289 km/h (180 mph).

Production is limited to 1,911 units and German pricing starts at €85,538 for the coupe / €96,843 for the convertible.



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It's no secret that Porsche has big sales ambitions. Just how it plans on getting there, however, is another matter entirely. On the back of such diversified products as the Panamera and Cayenne, it's clear that extending its product range will be integral to its growth plans, and recently appointed Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller has given a few clues as to what's in store down the product pipeline.

First up could be a Targa version of the Cayman that could stand to bridge the gap between the existing Cayman coupe and its open-top counterpart, the Boxster, with removable (or sliding) roof panels. But that's hardly the extent of it.

In speaking with Automotive News, Mueller hinted at plans to introduce a sub-Boxster four-cylinder sports car based on the Boxster's platform but with the possible use of Volkswagen Golf components to keep costs down.

Beyond that, Porsche has big plans for the Panamera, including possible derivatives (like a coupe or convertible as rumored) as well as spin-offs for other Volkswagen divisions including Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini. One thing's for sure, Porsche's not about to sit back and rely on just one continuing product line any longer.

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While it's a well known fact that Audi and VW share chasis, the new Up model will remain strictly Volkswagen. It was being considered below the A1, but Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was quoted as saying he simply could not picture slotting another small car into the line-up underneath the new A1. Audi however, will go ahead with plans for a compact SUV to fit in beneath the Q3. The vehicle likely to be called Q1 is apparently under consideration.

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Porsche has unveiled two very different versions of the enticing 918 project. First came the 918 Spyder at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and then the German automaker took the wraps off the 918 RSR in Detroit. While the former was Porsche's vision for a roadgoing hybrid roadster, the latter took the form of a fixed-roof racing coupe. The question on everyone's minds, though, is what form the eventual production version will take.

According to reports, while the racing version will retain the fixed roof and upwards-hinged doors of the RSR concept, the roadgoing version will offer the wind-in-your-hair experience of the Spyder. Autocar states that the production model will feature a removable roof panel, much like the Carrera GT. Confirmation reportedly comes from Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche's outgoing VP for product development who is switching to head up Bentley and Bugatti, not to mention taking the reigns at Volkswagen Group's motorsports division.

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