Porsche 911 Targa

Expert Rating:

What is it?

The Porsche 911 Targa 4S is the one with the really big sunroof. The glass panel takes up all of the roof space over the main cabin and retracts under the rear screen in just seven seconds. It leaves a large opening above the front seats which, with the door windows lowered, turns the Targa into something very close to a full drop-top. When the clouds come, the Targa reverts back to a snug coupé just as quickly as the roof opens.

In S form, the Targa has a 380bhp 3.8-litre 'flat' six-cylinder engine that sees it from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds - or 4.7 seconds if you choose the £2,288 optional PDK gearbox. The PDK twin-clutch 'box has steering wheel-mounted shifters to swap gears, or can be left to its own devices. We prefer the standard manual, but Porsche says a great many buyers will opt for the PDK as they did with the previous Tiptronic transmission. All Targa models come with Porsche's electronically controlled four-wheel drive system for superb traction and stability.

Is it any good?

All Porsche 911s are good to drive, so it's more a question of how does the Targa stack up against the rest of the family. Simply put, this model acquits itself very well. The large glass roof does nothing to undermine the Targa's taut body and superbly well balanced chassis set-up. It allows just the right amount of suspension deflection to provide the sort of all-day comfort few other supercars even come close to, yet there is also a massive amount of grip in corners. The 911's steering is also another area to wonder at, informing the driver of all that is going on without ever becoming fidgety or tiresome. With four-wheel drive to cope with the power, the Targa is sensational across Britain's back roads, as well as dusting every other type of road with accomplished ease.

The Targa roof is quick and welcome to use when the sun comes out. A little wind noise makes itself heard when the roof is open, but the cabin remains free from excessive draughts. Close the roof and the Targa's cabin is hushed and refined. It's also comfortable, spacious and beautifully well made, while the new Porsche Communications Management centre console with touch screen is appropriately classy for a car costing north of £80,000.

We're not wholly convinced by the PDK twin clutch gearbox, which takes a little getting used to the way the steering wheel-mounted shifters work. The gearchanges themselves are smooth and swift, and they certainly make it easy to use the engine's prodigious power to best effect. However, we'd still plump for the manual transmission that brings the driver into closer communication with the car.

Should I call the bank manager?

Yes, you should, and if your bank manager has any sense he will lend you the money without a quibble. Porsche 911s are not immune from depreciation, but they are more resistant than most sportscars and the Porsche is also at the more affordable end of the spectrum for seriously fast cars. The Targa works well in the UK where fresh air fun is popular, but the weather often conspires against it, so the quick-acting roof of the Targa makes it very close to the ideal solution.

Running costs are not cheap in a Porsche, but the Targa manages a combined economy of 26.9mpg, while emissions of 247g/km (251g/km for the PDK gearbox model) are reasonable for a car of this class and performance. You may have to allow for a little extra cash in your negotiations with the bank manager as some of the options for the 911 aren't cheap: the PDK 'box is £2,288, special metallic paint is £1,730 and a sports exhaust to give the engine back its bark costs £1,404.

Summary

Die-hard 911 fans are unlikely to be swayed by the Targa 4S, even with its uprated 380bhp engine. This is a shame, as this Porsche works very well in the UK, delivering all of the handling and performance you'd expect of this model but with the added advantage of easily accessed fresh air. If you can afford the entry price, the 911 Targa 4S is a very fine way to travel.

Alisdair Suttie