Geneva show: Porsche’s black-tie 911
BY TERRY MARTIN | 27th Jan 2011
While an even more exclusive Panamera 4S edition unveiled at this week’s Qatar motor show in Doha (limited to 66 units) will be sold only in the Middle East, Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed that orders are now being taken for the 911 Black Edition.
Australia’s exact allocation is still to be determined, but both coupe and cabriolet variants will be available here, carrying the same sticker price as the entry-level 254kW 3.6-litre flat-six Carrera models upon which they are based: $223,000 for the coupe and $245,300 for the cabrio.
Apart from the black exterior paintwork, which is available in plain black or optional basalt black metallic, the Black Editions feature a number of exclusive colour highlights including black brake callipers and, on the soft-top, a black cloth hood.
Nineteen-inch bi-colour wheels from the 911 Turbo II are also included, along with a grey top-tint in the windscreen and unique badging on the rear engine cover.
The cabin includes a black sports design steering wheel and painted black centre console, plus ‘Black Edition’ door sills and a limited-edition number plaque on the glovebox. Black leather upholstery is also available as an option.
Both editions will be available either with the standard six-speed manual or optional ($6800) seven-speed PDK gearbox.
Meanwhile, the Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition shown in Doha features a unique Carrera white metallic paint – a colour that is also used on areas such as the front air intakes, rear bumper and rear diffuser.
It also uses 20-inch alloy wheels, has a unique white key fob and bespoke door sill inserts with the car’s build number.
The cabin is swathed in red leather upholstery across the seats, dash and door trims, with contrasting black used for the Alcantara headlining, carbon-fibre inserts and steering wheel/gear selector.
In presenting the special Panamera, Porsche global sales and marketing chief Bernhard Maier said the company sold 6842 vehicles last year in the Middle East and Africa – up from 5694 in 2009.
“We are back on the fast track,” he said. “Like no other car manufacturer, Porsche is a symbol for fascinating sportscars and ‘Intelligent Performance’.”Cayenne was the most popular vehicle in the region, accounting for more than 50 per cent of all vehicles sold with just below 3600 units last year. Panamera was next, with sales of around 1900 vehicles being nearly three times as high as in the previous year.
