The New Porsche 911 Targa

By Brent vd Schyff

The new Targa and the third iteration in the new 911 Sportscar offering - Porsche dropped their new creation for the world to see following the coupe and the cabriolet.

Two variants are on offer at the get-go, being the Targa 4 and the 4S. Both cars are fitted with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and the all-wheel-drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) as standard to ensure you don’t land up in a ditch each time your foot gets heavy.

For those retired millionaires with the young wives who thrive on the local açaí bowls and skinny lattes, you’ll be happy to find that the new Targa comes with enhanced smartlift function where ground clearance can be programmed to be raised for everyday driving.

The Performance

It is powered by a six-cylinder, three-litre boxer engine with twin turbochargers: the 911 Targa 4 now delivers 283 kW (385 PS; 911 Targa 4: Combined fuel consumption 9.8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 223 g/km) and, in combination with the optional Sport Chrono package, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds – one tenth faster than before. The engine in the 911 Targa 4S boasts 331 kW (450 PS; 911 Targa 4S: Combined fuel consumption 10.3 - 9.9 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 235 - 227 g/km) and reaches the 100 km/h mark in just 3.6 seconds under the same conditions – four tenths faster than its predecessor. Top speed of the 911 Targa 4 is 289 km/h (up two km/h), while the 4S peaks at 304 km/h (up three km/h).

History of the Targa

In 1963, the original 911 went topless but due to safety standards in the US, the 911 would only pass if it reinforced the structural integrity of the car by installing a roll hoop. In many instances, this would have ruined the design accents of any car but Porsche saw it differently and instead ensured that a safety element became part of the design language. The Targa is named in celebration of Porsche's victories at the Targa Floria Road Race which in 1970 was the oldest road race in the world.

Even though the Targa draws polarising views from the car community one has to marvel at the party trick that is the glass cockpit removal. It’s the sports car that’s appealing to the modern-day contemporary art enthusiast and art should either distrub or comfort, and if that’s the yardstick here then Porsche gets it right. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s one of the last consistent examples functional design.