Porsche 911 (992) Targa

The previous 991-spec 911 Targa proved that it's all about being a throwback machine rather than being a sportscar destined to be parked somewhere in the South of France. We all love the folding mechanism that shows that it's a real targa top sportscar and nothing else and with the arrival of the 992-spec 911 Targa, looks like the evolved version still wants to carry on the footsteps of its predecessor, any way it can.

Priced at 128,486 Euros plus additional costs, the Targa completes the normal 992-spec 911 range with the coupe and cabriolet in sight, and with the other two are enjoying the fruits of their labor because of more powerful versions on the horizon, the Targa feels like it's like being the only son in the family of girls, whatever that means.

While it retains the same folding mechanism from its predecessor, the new 911 Targa is powered by the same 3.0L flat-six turbo engine as the other variants, producing up to 450PS of power output and while mated to an 8-speed PDK, it can go from 0-100kph in less than four seconds and onwards to about 304kph. That's about the same as the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet of course.

While it's bulkier than the Cabriolet, the 911 Targa still packs the sane mild and tangy driving feel of its derivatives, be it a 2WD RR or a 4WD and compared to its previous model, it's performing better than ever because of its dynamics,  direct steering ratio, rear-axle setting, available lift system on the front axle, and adaptive aerodynamics as experienced in other variants, not to mention the annoying ones like the Lane Keeping Assist with traffic sign recognition, Lane Change Assist with visual warning, Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera, ParkAssist, Surround View, and other safety features worth noticing.

Which of the normal 992 911 variants would you want to drive? The coupe? The cabriolet? Or the Targa?

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

Porsche 911 Targa (991)

2015 Porsche 911 Targa

We may already have an open-top 911 but why would Porsche make another one? Oh yeah, this 911 in question is the 911 Targa and even though it's based on the current 991-spec 911, the new model is all about being a throwback machine rather than being a sportscar destined to be parked somewhere in the South of France.

For a quick history lesson, Porsche made a 911 Targa in 1967 for the US market because of the threat that America would ban cabrios due to health and safety concerns but as of now, the USA never actually banned cabrios because they're everywhere but in my mind, they're a rare sight to see someone driving with their roof down.

The last 911 Targa, which is based on the previous-generation 997, used the sliding roof mechanism which is more of a dismay for Targa purists what do you get as a result? Just a normal 997 hardtop coupe with the big sunroof opened. Doesn't say anything but it doesn't resemble the classic Targa masterpiece. For the new 991 Targa, the true meaning of a Targa-top car is back and sticking true to its roots, it uses electric motors to lift the whole rear window and automatically fold the solid roof panels to the boot. Quite a modern twist they've done but being a throwback car with a modern twist, the new 991 Targa is quite a suitor indeed but for a word of advice; that rear screen serves as an airbrake and you can't close or open the complexing roof while on the go. Need to keep a note while you're in there.

Like the normal 991, the 991 Targa comes with two engine types such as the 3.4L boxer-6 engine for the base model which develops 345HP, and the 3.8L flat-six engine for the 4S model which develops over 395HP of power output. They can be mated with either a 7-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed doppelkupplungsgetriebe operated via paddle shifters. Be warned though because, like the normal 991, it comes with electric power steering, it doesn't respond more than what previous 911s do, like what Richard Hammond demonstrated last year just before he and Jeremy Clarkson got banned from entering French roads ever again.

Even though it weighs 40kg more than the 991 Cabriolet, the extra bulk on the 991 Targa doesn't put you off to enjoy its grand touring fulfillment if you're into some sightseeing from one open road to another. That doesn't stop you from taking it on a nice relaxing trip to Saint-Tropez. It's all in the quiet curves with this one but the pricing is not as quiet as it seems because while the 991 Cabriolet 4 costs 110,290 Euros, the Targa 4 model costs 109,338 Euros so it's less than a grand cheaper than the Cabriolet equivalent. So, that one or the 991 Cabriolet? Make your choice...

Available colors; schwarz, weiβ, indischrot, racinggelb, tiefschwarzmetallic, carraraweiβmetallic, rhodiumsilbermetallic, dunkelblaumetallic, achatgraumetallic, mahagonimetallic, saphirblaumetallic, anthrazitbraunmetallic, GT-silbermetallic (limited-time color), and limegoldmetallic (limited-time color).

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG