10 Special and Limited Edition Porsche Models

2016 Porsche 911 Carrera Black Edition ・ Photo by Porsche

Among these ten special and limited edition Porsche models, there are several versions of the 911. That’s because the 911 is an exceptional car. It’s one of an elite category of machines that can gain value as they get older rather than lose it. And when it’s a special or limited edition, it makes the car even more desirable and therefore more valuable. Some people collect Porsches. So if the idea of putting money into stocks and shares seems too boring, or investing in art looks too hit-and-miss, consider one or more of the cars mentioned here. In the unlikely event that they don’t appreciate in value, the amount of driving fun they’ll provide will more than make up for it.

2016 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Design Edition

The contemporary Targa model (not quite as open-topped as a full convertible) has a retro feel to its styling. This edition exploits that feel even more. The paintwork is Etna Blue, a signature hue for the 356 models (forerunner to the 911) of 1960 and ’61. This 420-hp machine also has special sport seats, 20-inch alloy wheels as standard and an array of fine details added by the hand-finishing team on the Porsche Exclusive production line, including a Targa silhouette embossed into the center armrest. Buyers even get a photo album documenting the build process. And this edition is so limited that not even Porsche will divulge the total number of units it will produce. The price is around $187,000.

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2016 Porsche 911 Carrera Black Edition

There have been a couple of Black Editions. The most recent was for 2016, but there might be another at some point. The exterior paintwork offered an alternative to the standard black: Basalt Black metallic. The 19-inch alloy wheels (using the Turbo model’s design) are gloss black and the cabin is swathed in fine black leather. A Bose surround-sound system is also standard. This edition came in coupe or cabriolet (convertible) form. There was also a 2016 Boxster/Cayman version. It really packages together several options that would have cost more if ordering them separately. It doesn’t make the cars any faster, but they sure look cool. And only 1,911 examples were made.

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2016 Porsche Boxster GTS/Cayman GTS

For years, Porsche refused to let these “lesser” mid-engined cars — open-top and tin-top — approach the power or thrill levels of the star turn, the 911. Even though many people might argue that the engine was finally in the right place, instead of where normal people stow their luggage. But the GTS versions bucked that trend with 330 hp (the 2016 911 started with 350 hp) from a 3.4-liter flat-6, plus an adaptive suspension, Alcantara (faux suede) cabin adornments, 20-inch alloy wheels and the Sport Chrono Package (around $1,850 extra and includes a launch control mode in the PDK automated manual transmission) at a relatively reasonable (for a Porsche) all-in price.

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2016 Porsche 911 R

Only 991 units were made (Porsche geeks know that this generation of 911 has a factory code of 991) at roughly $186,000 apiece. The 911 R puts a 500-hp naturally aspirated engine into a lightweight body and slots a 6-speed manual transmission into a rear-wheel-drive layout. It’s a car with immense purist appeal. Following a familiar formula adopted by makers of exotic cars that means paying more for less (including lower levels of sound insulation), one reason why it’s so expensive is that the roof is made of magnesium. This is a light yet super-strong metal, but notoriously difficult to work. And the seats are made with carbon fiber. Oh, to drive it for even an hour.

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2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

The beautifully balanced Cayman mid-engined coupe has always had a fabulous chassis that could cope with more power than Porsche was willing to provide. But someone, somewhere had a change of heart and gave the green light to this — the sharpest, most powerful Cayman yet. Blessed with a flat-6 engine from a 911 Carrera S that develops 385 hp, suspension and brakes derived from the hard-core GT3, and a special aerodynamic treatment, the GT4 becomes a remarkable sports machine. And for track-day heroics, its traction control system can be turned off completely. With the new 718 generation in the showrooms, there’s talk of an updated GT4 with around 430 hp.

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2018 Porsche 911 GT3

Not strictly a special or limited edition, the upcoming GT3 is related to the ultra-rare 911 R, which makes it special enough for most people. This is really a street-legal racer, with 500 hp, rear-wheel drive (incorporating a limited-slip differential), rear-wheel steering for greater agility, carbon-fiber rear wing, and a low-slung/tightly controlled sport suspension. No turbocharging, just a beefy, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat six with a screamingly high redline. Sprinting from standstill to 60 mph happens in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds (with the PDK transmission) and top speed is 198 mph. Porsche has ditched the little rear seats as one of many weight-saving measures. Scheduled for fall 2017, it's yours for $144,650.

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2016 Porsche Panamera Exclusive

There’s a special area in the Zuffenhausen factory called the Exclusive Manufaktur line. It’s where the human touch comes in. For example, 100 units of the long-wheelbase Executive variant of the first-generation Panamera were treated to things like the finest Italian leather, a hand-painted two-tone color scheme, and a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. With the second generation making its debut for 2017, it’s perhaps too early for an Exclusive version. But since the Panamera is Porsche’s flagship luxury car, chances are strong that an upper-tiered version is part of the bigger plan. If a customer is willing to spend the money, Porsche will give any of its vehicles the Exclusive treatment.

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2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition

Endurance racing is a Porsche speciality. The company has won the notoriously demanding Le Mans 24-hour race 18 times. So when it comes out with something like this, it’s time to take notice and save up the $120,000 it takes to buy one. This car has the same 420-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-6 engine as the regular Carrera S, but adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, sport seats upholstered in black leather, carbon fiber interior trim accents, sport suspension, rear-wheel steering, and Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package, among other special additions. About 100 units are heading to the United States, so it is likely to be another one for the collectors.

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2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

The 918 Spyder was an extremely limited-edition Porsche. Only 918 examples of this 875-hp hybrid-powered supercar were made, with 294 earmarked for the United States. Each one cost the best part of a million bucks. The other thing that makes it special, though, is the consequent expertise and knowledge going into production models. The 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, for example. When it launches later in 2017, it will be the fastest, most powerful Panamera ever, thanks to a plug-in drivetrain developing a mighty 680 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque. It has sports car performance (standstill to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, 192 mph top speed), yet can cover 30 miles on battery power.

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2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Considering the Boxster is a convertible and “spyder” means an open-topped car, then this name might seem tautological. But one look tells us it’s clearly different to a regular Boxster. This model was something of a swan song for an outgoing generation (the new 718 style debuted for 2017). But what a way to go. This is the lightest Boxster and it has a 375-hp 3.8-liter flat-6 that usually goes into 911 models (the regular 2016 Boxster scrapes by on 265 hp). Light weight and big power means plenty of fun. It doesn’t have a sound system or air conditioning, but who cares about such decadent creature comforts when there are driving thrills to be had?

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