Porsche lifts lid on 911 Targa 14 | 01 | 2014
PORSCHE HAS LIFTED the wraps from its new 911 Targa. Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, the new model — available to order from Scottish dealerships today, with first deliveries expected in May — will start at £86,281 for the Targa 4 (see more official photos of the new Porsche 911 Targa). The Targa 4S will be priced from £96,316.
Just like the legendary original 911 Targa model, the new model features a characteristic wide bar in place of the B-pillars aft of the doors, a movable roof section above the driver and passenger, and a wrap-around rear window -- with no C-pillar.
But, unlike the classic models, the roof segment of the new Targa can be opened and closed at the push of a button. When the button is pressed, the fully automatic system stows the roof top behind the rear seats, providing a real spectacle.
The rear-biased Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive fitted as standard is a further typical dynamic Porsche feature, and guarantees that the latest 911 Targa also offers optimum driving dynamics on all road surfaces and in all weather conditions.
The model shares a great deal in common with the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet models; up to the window line, the technology and body of the vehicles is virtually identical.
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The combination of the wide rear body that is typical of all-wheel drive 911 models, the Targa roof bar and the dome-shaped rear window create a low-slung profile that gives the latest 911 an extremely sporting appearance.
The Targa roof system has always been a distinctive hallmark of this 911 model. The new 911 Targa continues this tradition with a particularly innovative roof concept. The roof is made up of two movable parts: a soft top and a glass rear window.
The rear window, which is attached to the convertible top compartment lid, is opened and tilted at the push of a button. At the same time, two flaps open in the Targa bar, releasing the soft top’s kinematics. The convertible top is released, folded into a Z-shape as the roof opens, and stowed away behind the rear seats.
A stowage area running across the car behind the rear seats accommodates the convertible top. Once the top has been stowed, the flaps in the bar close and the rear window moves back in to position once again.
The roof takes around 19 seconds to open or close using the buttons in the centre console – and can be operated only while the vehicle is stationary.
A wind deflector integrated in the cowl panel frame can be erected manually when the top is down. This deflector reduces drafts and buffeting in the interior by a considerable margin, should this be the driver’s preference.
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The rear window, which is made from extremely lightweight laminated safety glass, consists of two layers of thin, partially pre-tensioned glass separated by a film interlayer.
The very fine heating elements on the heated rear window cover almost the entire surface of the glass, ensuring exceptional all-round visibility even in unfavourable weather conditions.
As with the prior model, the new Targa comes in two versions available exclusively with all-wheel drive. A seven-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard. The 911 Targa 4 is powered by a 3.4-litre, 350bhp flat-six engine.
Equipped with the optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) double-clutch transmission and Sport Chrono Package, this model can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.8secs and on to a top speed of 175mph.
Fuel consumption is between 29.7mpg and 32.5mpg, depending on transmission, which corresponds to CO2 emissions between 223 and 204g/km.
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The top model is the 911 Targa 4S, which delivers 400bhp from a displacement of 3.8 litres. This model reaches a top speed of 184mph and, with the PDK and Sport Chrono package options specified, is able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.4s.
Fuel consumption is between 28.2mpg and 30.7mpg, depending on transmission, which corresponds to CO2 between 237 and 214g/km.
These figures place the model on a par with the high standard set by the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet models in terms of engine and road performance, as well as efficiency. Furthermore, both sports cars are certified for compliance with the Euro 6 emissions standard.
Standard equipment on each model includes leather interior, sports seats, automatic climate control, Bi-Xenon headlights, 7in colour touch-screen Porsche Communication Management with satellite navigation, digital radio, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive and a three-year warranty.
The 911 Targa 4S adds 20in alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with rear limited slip differential, in addition to the power advantage of the larger 3.8-litre engine.
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Jim McGill