There are many aspects that make the 911->ke282 a successful sports car. The timeless design, the incredible performance, the fabulous PDK transmission, and the luxurious interior are only a few of the 911's much appreciated features. However, Porsche->ke1 also enhanced its sports car's appeal by allowing buyers to further customize the vehicle by means of an array of features provided by Porsche Exclusive. Recently, this comprehensive catalog has become available for just about any model in Porsche current lineup, giving birth to several special-edition->ke2041 models, one of which is the Black Edition.

Launched earlier in 2015 for the 911 Carrera and the Boxster, the package dresses nearly every element of the exterior in black while adding a number of standard features to the vehicle's already comprehensive list. There is a catch though. The Black Edition is only available for the entry-level 911->ke1920 and Boxster,->ke570 meaning you'll have to take it Porsche Exclusive if you want a more powerful engine with the black bodywork. For 2016, Porsche has expanded the Black Edition family to also include the Cayman.->ke5 Like the Boxster Black Edition, the customized Cayman will sit between the base model and the Cayman S in the lineup.

Keep reading to find out what makes the Cayman Black Edition special.

Exterior

The Cayman Black Edition gets the exact same extra features as the Boxster Black Edition, starting with the deep-black color covering its sheet metal from bumper to bumper. Then there's the two-tone, 20-inch Carrera Classic wheels, and the distinctive bi-Xenon headlamps with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and blacked-out housings.

But unlike the Boxster, the Cayman also received a pair of auto-dimming side mirrors and an optional Jet Black Metallic paint for those looking for more sheen on their sports cars.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior of the Cayman Black Edition is as black as they get, with very few features to brighten up the place, such as the chrome accents on the A/C vents, lower dashboard section, steering wheel, door panels, center console and gear shifter. The door sills also feature "Black Edition" lettering set on a chrome background, while the black floor mats have white "Porsche" lettering.

The standard two-zone climate control and heated seats, usually available as the Convenience Package option on the entry-level Cayman, provide a higher level of comfort for the driver and passenger. The Porsche Communication Management system with navigation, the Sound Package Plus, and Park Assist for front and rear are also included as standard features. The Sound Package Plus comprises a separate, 235-watt amplifier, seven amplifier channels, and nine speakers.

Drivetrain

Under the rear lid, the Cayman Black Edition is an entry-level Cayman powered by the 2.7-liter flat-six engine rated at 275 horsepower and 213 pound-feet of torque. The engine mates to either a six-speed manual with dual-mass flywheel and self-adjusting clutch or Porsche's lightning-fast PDK automatic.

When selected with the manual, the Black Edition charges from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and toward a top speed of 165 mph. When equipped with the PDK, the 0-to-60 mph sprints drops to 5.3 ticks, while top speed comes in at 164 mph. In Sport Plus mode, the Cayman will hit 60 mph in as quick as 5.1 seconds.

Fuel consumption is also identical to the standard model. The manual version returns 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the PDK version is rated at 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Drivetrain Specifications

Safety

Standard passive safety features include an array of airbags for both the driver and passengers, side-guard door beams, seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The sports car is also equipped with pad wear sensors on every brake pad, ABS, and electric parking brake.

Prices

The Cayman Black Edition retails from $59,200 with the manual transmission. Add in the PDK and the sticker jumps to $62,400. Though it's $6,600 more expensive than the base Cayman, the Black Edition package is actually quite the bargain. The Classic Carrera wheels, PDLS, Convenience Package, Sound Package Plus, and the Park Assist cost $11,600 when added as separate options to the Cayman. Using Porsche's online configurator, I added all these features to the base Cayman and came up with a $65,195 sticker, including shipping, which is exactly $5,000 more than the Black Edition with the same equipment as standard. All told, you get $11,600 worth of optional features (not including the bespoke door sills) for $6,600.

Competition

Alfa Romeo 4C

With the 4C having finally arrived on U.S. soil, the Cayman has plenty of things to worry about. Arguably sexier than its German counterpart, the Italian coupe is also pretty fast, despite being powered by a significantly smaller engine. Displacing only 1.75 liters, the four-banger cranks out 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Although it lags behind the Cayman in terms of horsepower, it is the torquier of the two, having an extra 45 pound-feet of the Porsche. And because it's lighter, it's also significantly faster, needing just 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. Its fuel economy is also superior at 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Making things that much better is that it's not much more expensive than a base Cayman, retailing from $54,000. Compared to the Black Edition, the 4C is actually $5,200 cheaper.

Find out more about the Alfa Romeo 4C here.

Audi TT

There are even more affordable options out there, but only as long as you're willing to switch to a front-engined layout and a less involving driving experience. Set to arrive on U.S. soil in 2016, the third-generation TT generates 230 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque in its base gasoline trim. Although it may sound incredible, the TT can be as quick as the Cayman if equipped with the S Tronic automatic transmission, which helps the coupe sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The manual version is slower at six seconds flat, but Audi offers a more powerful 2.0-liter engine with 310 horses and 280 pound-feet that's good for a 4.7-second sprint. Pricing starts at only $42,900, making the TT quite the bargain compared to the Cayman.

Read more about the Audi TT here.

Conclusion

Added as a standalone trim in the Cayman lineup, the Black Edition is nothing more than a better equipped base model that will save you no fewer than $5,000. That's quite a bargain, even for a $60,000 Porsche, but you'll benefit from this offer only as long as you don't mind the black paint (either the standard paint or the optional Jet Black Metallic). So basically you can have it in any color as long as it's black.

The upside here, as far as I'm concerned, is that the Cayman looks gorgeous in black, but I'm sure there are plenty of enthusiasts out there that don't agree with me. The question is, are you willing to go with a black exterior and interior to save $5,000 on those options?