Porsche 911 Targa gets 444bhp 18 | 05 | 2020

WITH SUMMER RAPIDLY approaching — well, at least hopefully, a few sunny days — Porsche has lifted the wraps from the latest in its 911 stable; the Targa. Available to order now, with first deliveries scheduled for August, prices start at £98,170 for theTarga 4, and an eye-watering £109,725 for a Targa 4S. (Related: Porsche confirms base 911 prices)

Ok, so the 992-platform 911 Targa certainly isn’t cheap. But hey, if you want one of the best Porsche combos — a four-wheel drive 911 with a big, clever, electronically-stowing glass roof panel — then that’s the price you’ll pay. And it seems many do: 18% of 991 Carrera and Carrera S cars were Targa models.

Oh! And in case you didn’t know, the name ‘Targa’ comes from the famous Targa Florio race, and since the mid-Sixties has been synonymous with the Porsche open-driving concept. (Related: New Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS)

This latest Targa model like the original — the first was launched in 1965 — the G-Series Targa, the 964 version and the previous-generation 991 car, features no C-pillar. Instead, looping from one side of the rear cabin to the other, there’s a large, timelessly-stylish B-pillar. Behind it is a large glasshouse for a rear window; all very Jensen Interceptor-like.

But the highlight is the big removable glass roof panel which, at the push of a button, electronically stows behind the rear seats, undertaken in a beautiful balletic motion, in 19 seconds flat.

Joining the Carrera S and 4S, the non-S Carreras, the Cabriolet, and the Turbo in the 911 range, the Targa is only available with four-wheel drive. Buyers do though have the choice of two engine variants in the UK. (Related: Porsche reveals Taycan interior)

The ‘entry’ level is the 911 Targa 4, which is powered by a turbocharged 380bhp 3.0-litre flat-six capable of hurtling the car from 0–62mph in 4.2 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. It has a top speed of 180mph.

The same engine is slotted into the rear of the Targa 4S, but power has been hiked to 444bhp. The result is the 0–62mph drops to 3.6 seconds, with max increasing to 189mph. An eight-speed PDK automatic gearbox with wheel-mounted paddle shifters is standard on both versions, though buyers of the 4S can opt for a new seven-speed manual gearbox as a no-cost option. (Related: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 gets flat six)

Aesthetically, certainly externally, not much has changed. The new model retains the evolutionary design changes introduced on the latest generation 911. That means an identical pair of LED headlamps and a full-width LED rear light bar, plus the same wide tailgate and active spoiler.

Standard on both versions are staggered alloy wheels. The entry-level Targa 4 gets 19in alloys at the front, with 20in wheels at the rear. The Targa S has 20in at the front and 21in at the rear.

Not surprisingly, the interior of the Targa is essentially unchanged from that of the rest of the 992 range, with the focal point being the 10.9-inch central touchscreen display for infotainment.

The chassis of the Targa gets some clever tech stuff. Not only is there Porsche’s latest “Wet Mode” traction control setting — which adapts the car’s controls for better stability in the rain — but there’s also an electronically controlled rear differential and PASM adaptive dampers as standard. Porsche also highlights the chassis and suspension tuning is bespoke for the Targa.

For the first time, Porsche InnoDrive, which includes adaptive cruise control, is available on the 911 Targa. And sensibly, you also get the enhanced Smartlift function, which enables ground clearance to be programmed, so the front ride height can be raised … thus ensuring you don’t, accidentally, cause any expensive scrapes to the front spoiler.

It’s clearly, already, an effortlessly handsome car. But if all this isn’t enough for you — and if you’re actively considering buying a new 911 Targa — worth bearing in mind there’s a special edition version of the model, featuring personalisation parts from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, which will be revealed in June.

Related: Porsche 911 Speedster to cost £211,599

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Jim McGill