Porsche Announces New Limited 911 Carrera Black Editions

The new generation of the Porsche 911 is in the final stages of development, but we still have some time before it dazzles its way to the motorshow catwalks. To keep the momentum rolling until its presentation later this year, Porsche decided to launch yet another limited run version of the current 911 called the Black Edition.

This time, Porsche's new special is based on the entry-level 911 Carrera Coupe and Convertible models boasting a black theme inside and out, and adding numerous extras and features. Production will be limited to just 1,911 examples worldwide with sales to start around April.

Both Black Editions are painted in plain black as standard, with Basalt Black metallic available as an option, while the folding hood of the Cabriolet model is trimmed in black cloth. Other styling highlights include the 19-inch 911 Turbo II forged alloy wheels with a glossy black trim and the black-finished, four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake callipers.

Inside, the driver and passenger are first greeted by the black lettering on the stainless steel door entry guards. The cars also get a black leather interior, a SportDesign steering wheel and a numbered plaque on the glove compartment lid, while the decorative fascia strip, gear lever and air vents are all finished in aluminium-look paint. Finally, the rear center console is painted in the exterior color.

Standard features include a 385W BOSE Surround Sound-System with 13 loudspeakers (twelve in the Cabriolet), satellite navigation, ParkAssist, cruise control, automatic dimming anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors, and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

Power for both body styles comes from the standard Carrera 3.6-liter flat-six cylinder engine, producing 345-horses at 6,500 rpm. Coupled with the six-speed gearbox, this output delivers a top speed of 289km/h (180 mph) in both body versions. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) comes in 4.9 seconds for the Coupe and 5.1 seconds for the Convertible.

Buyers can also opt for Porsche's PDK twin-clutch transmission, in which case, the Coupe accomplishes the sprint in 4.7 seconds and the Cabrio in 4.9 seconds. Those that want to dig further into their pockets can order the optional Sport Chrono Plus package that includes the "Launch Control" function, which shaves 0.2 seconds off the acceleration times of vehicles equipped with PDK.

In the U.S., the MSRP will be $81,300 for the Coupe and $91,300 for the Cabriolet, with Porsche claiming savings of around $6,000 over a similarly equipped 911 Carrera.

In the UK, the 911 Black Edition is priced from £67,270 for the Coupé and £74,958 for the Cabriolet – the same price as the standard 911 Carrera models.

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Nissan 350Z Poses as a Porsche Panamera Convertible...

[Updated gallery] The Tokyo Auto Salon is always a blast featuring all sorts of unique tuning proposals, like this here Porsche wannabe. When our Tokyo show man Phil e-mailed the above photo, we assumed it pictured a Porsche -possibly a Boxster- modified to resemble a Panamera Convertible. We were quickly proven wrong, however, when he sent over an image of the interior and some video footage revealing that the Porsche Panamera tune was actually a...masqueraded Nissan 350Z Roadster. More photos after the jump.

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Porsche Considering Diesel-Powered Cayenne and Panamera Models for the U.S.

Porsche officials are exploring the possibility of adding diesel variants to the company's North American lineup to help meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient cars. On sale in Europe since early 2009, the Cayenne diesel could be one contender for the job and may be followed by the Panamera with a diesel engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

“We are discussing internally if we should introduce the Cayenne diesel in the U.S. this year. Also a Panamera diesel is an option”, said the brand's sales and marketing chief, Bernhard Maier.

Beside the diesel version, Porsche is also currently selling the Cayenne S Hybrid with the two variants accounting for 30 percent of the model’s total sales worldwide.

Bringing the diesel-powered Cayenne to the States, which is the brand’s biggest single market, could give sales a further boost, after global Porsche deliveries rose by 27% to more than 97,000 units in 2010.

“We expect the diesel and hybrid share to grow further in 2011”, Mr. Maier said.

Citing inside company sources, Autonews Europe reported that the new Panamera variants are expected to be introduced before summer in Europe and could make their world debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in early March.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: ANE

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Edo Competition Turns Porsche Panamera Turbo into a 750HP Beast Named...Moby Dick

We can think of quite a few reasons why Edo Competition chose to name its latest creation after the imaginary white whale in Herman Melville's classic 1851 novel, Moby Dick, but we'll let you, our readers, humor us with your answers in the comments section after the break. Back to the German Tuner's Moby Dick on wheels, the white Panamera benefits from a hefty power boost as well as modifications to the exterior and interior.

On the outside, the tuner turned to Mansory for a full bodykit, which includes restyled bumpers, widened wheel arches, lowered side skirts and a new bonnet. However, the aerodynamics package is just the prelude for what lies underneath.

First of all, there’s a lowering module for improved handling, as well as 22-inch wheels that can be painted either to match or to contrast the car's exterior color.

But the real McCoy is found under the bonnet, in the form of an upgraded, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which now produces 750HP, up from stock model's 550HP. Edo Competition says the Moby Dick can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 4 seconds and achieve an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph).

As part of the engine conversion, turbocharged Panamera also comes with an upgraded exhaust system.

For the interior, the tuning firm used a combination of materials including leather, wood, metal and carbon fiber. Don’t like this combo? No problem, as Edo Competition says virtually anything can be tailored to the customer’s taste.

By Csaba Daradics

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