Motoring News

Porsche’s Special Cayman S Black Edition Exposed

By Ryan Konko

Posted on May 9, 2011

The black beauty of the Cayman line.

One of the things that Porsche does best besides building great sports cars is building special editions of those sports cars. Currently there are 21 different versions of the 997.2-generation 911 available for purchase from Porsche, and that’s not even counting a few limited-edition cars such as the Sport Classic, 918 Edition Turbo S, and others. Porsche has also expanded the Cayman line with more variants. Now, one has the option to buy an “ordinary” Cayman, the more powerful S model, the purist’s Cayman R, or the new dark side of the family tree – the Cayman S Black Edition.

The new Cayman S Black Edition is on par with the motorsport-inspired Cayman R in terms of power, but sits atop the Cayman line as the most expensive model. Powering the two-seat coupe is a 3.4-liter flat-six engine similar to the one found in the Cayman S model. This time, Porsche has tuned the engine to produce ten more horsepower at 200 RPM higher than the S model, for a total output of 330 hp at 7,400 RPM. Torque remains at 273 lb-ft. at 4,750 RPM, but acceleration has been improved. The sprint to 60 mph takes just 4.9 seconds with the manual, 4.8 seconds with PDK, and a blistering 4.6 seconds for models equipped with PDK and the optional Sport Plus package with launch control. Top speed also inches up to 173 mph for the manual and 172 mph for the dual-clutch variant.

Porsche has also sharpened the handling of the Cayman in the new Black Edition. Black Boxster Spyder wheels come standard on the sinister sports car. These lightweight ten-spoke wheels are one-inch larger in diameter and half an inch wider than the standard Cayman S wheels. The 8.5J x 19 front and 10J x 19 rear wheels are fitted with 235/35 ZR19 front and 265/35 ZR19 rear sport tires for superb grip through the twisties.

But the Cayman S Black Edition isn’t just about better performance; it also comes standard with a number of luxuries. To match the black exterior, Porsche has blackened the center exhaust tailpipes and model designation atop the rear trunklid. Bi-xenon headlights with adaptive cornering come standard along with LED daytime running lights and automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors.

Inside both driver and passenger are greeted by a black-themed interior. Both front seats are covered in partial black leather with the Porsche crest on the headrests, while a Sport Design steering wheel faces the driver. The dashboard trim, gear levers, instrument dials, and cluster are all covered in black. A limited edition number is featured on a glove box plaque, emphasizing exclusivity. Both of the stainless steel entry guards proudly wear “Black Edition” lettering. Porsche also offers a number of additional interior features such as the Sound Package, which allows for the entertainment system to be controlled via Porsche Communication Management (PCM), and mobile phone integration. Coming standard on the Black Edition are Porsche’s Comfort, Infotainment, and Design packages.

The Porsche Cayman S Black Edition will be available in the US starting at $67,500 for the manual and $71,160 for PDK. In Germany, the Black Edition will be priced at € 67,807. In comparison, prices for the base Cayman S start at $62,100 for the manual transmission and $65,520 for the PDK models. Production will be limited to just 500 units.

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition Specifications

Engine:
Displacement: 3.4 liters
Number of Cylinders: Flat-six
Maximum Horsepower: 330 at 7,400 RPM
Maximum Torque: 273 lb-ft at 4,750 RPM

Transmission:
Type: Six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK dual clutch
Drive: Rear-wheel

Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds (manual), 4.8 (PDK), 4.6 (PDK+ Sport Plus)
Acceleration 0-99 mph: 11.2 seconds (manual), 11.0 seconds (PDK), 10.7 (PDK+ Sport Plus)
Top Speed: 173 mph (manual) 172 (PDK)

Wheels and Tires:
Wheels: Black ten-spoke Boxster Spyder
Front Wheels: 8.5J x 19 ET 55
Rear Wheels: 10J x 19 ET 42
Front Tires: 235/35 ZR 19
Rear Tires: 265/35 ZR 19

Exterior:
-Special Black Paint
-Bi-xenon headlamps with dynamic cornering
-LED daytime running lights
-Automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with rain sensor
-Black model designation
-Black tailpipes

Interior:
-Black partial leather seats with Porsche crest
-Stainless steel door entry guards with “Black Edition” lettering
-Sport Design steering wheel
-Black dashboard trim, gear selector, instrument dials, and instrument cluster
-Glove compartment lid with special edition plaque and numbering
-Porsche Comfort package
-Porsche Infotainment package
-Porsche Design package

Pricing:
US: $67,500 (Manual), $71,160 (PDK)
Germany: € 67,807 (Manual)