Porsche 911 Targa 4
Even seminal sports cars, it seems, have poor relations and down the years, that handle has been attached to the Targa versions of the Porsche 911. While the coupes are the classics and the convertibles attract the poseurs, the Targas were always the odd ones out. That was then. In latter years, Porsche has worked at making the Targa a more attractive proposition and in the latest generation car, they may have finally cracked it.
For the first time, the Targa is being offered exclusively with all-wheel drive. Its an interesting decision by Porsche as the all-wheel drive, normally-aspirated 911s have only just started to find favour with 911 cognoscenti. Previously, they had been sniffed at as a diminution of a proper rear wheel drive 911s personality. Perhaps Porsche has tacitly agreed that its pointless aiming the Targa at 911 purists and is instead targeting a breed of customer who may have migrated up from models like the Audi TT Roadster and is looking for something surefooted, open-topped and speedy.
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"Losing the roof neednt mean losing the handling capabilities"
The glass roof gives the interior an airy feel and opens in no fewer than seven seconds to as much as half a metre. The great thing about this is that, unlike with a convertible, the operation can be done on the fly at any road speed. The roof itself is constructed of two-ply tinted glass which weighs 1.9kg less than the Targa roof in the 996 generation 911.
A revised sealing system boosts refinement at speed and a wind deflector minimises annoying turbulence. Theres a lot of glazing above your head and if you just want the air conditioning to do its thing without blowing a gasket, a black internal roller blind provides shade, operated by a rocker switch next to the handbrake. Its easy to forget that, unlike other 911 variants, this car actually features a hatchback which offers 230 litres of space with the rear seats folded, making this the 911 to have if you plan on two-up touring. The tailgate can be released via a door-mounted switch or by the key fob.
Theres even electronic assistance to help close it if you have an armful of gear. These days, the Porsche Targa packs a 3.6-litre engine good for a punchy 325bhp with the 3.8-litre S variant packing 355bhp.
The S version is the one to go for and Porsches sales figures to date appear to back this up with most customers plumping for the more powerful car. Its easy to see why as soon as you turn the key. The distillation of disparate orchestra pieces into a pure Porsche sound is backed up by some fiendishly clever engineering in the shape of Porsches Variocam system - a variable inlet-timing system that gives a more useable spread of torque across the rev range. This increased flexibility is the first thing that seasoned 911 drivers will notice when driving the latest model, making the engine feel as brawny as a decent V8.
When the 911 went water-cooled in 1997, many thought a great engine had been adulterated, but they were missing out. The liquid cooled engines were better than ever and driving them back to back with a 1995 model 911 Carrera 4 just highlights how much more muscular they feel. Expect 60mph to come and go in 4.6 seconds, and Porsche claim exemption from the limited to 155mph brigade by letting the 911 run on to 179mph.
The 3.6-litre model is no slouch, however, jetting to 60mph in just 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 174mph. Quite how effective the wind deflector is at these sorts of ballistic velocities can only be guessed at. The six-speed gearbox is one of the best in the business, although if you really want to go out on a limb away from the 911 mainstream, you could specify the optional Tiptronic S five-speed automatic which features gear changing rocker switches on the steering wheel.
Although it looks ostensibly similar in profile to its predecessor, the 997 generation Targa has lost those turbo-look smeared-on headlamps and also receives different bumpers front and rear plus twin ovoid tailpipes replacing the previous cars smaller round items. Keen spotters will notice improved seats and higher-grade plastics used throughout the cabin. Lucky owners will now benefit from a passenger glove compartment, Turbo-style instruments and the attractive three-spoke steering wheel that previously only resided on Porsches astonishing options list. Some 44m wider at the rear than a two-wheel drive 911 variant, the Targa uses much the same bodyshell as a 911 Carrera 4/4S with the same Visco multi plate clutch system marshalling the traction duties.
This can dole between 5 and 40 per cent of drive to the front axle which means that the Targa, despite its 4wd tag, retains a healthy rear-wheel drive bias at all times. In light of the Targas added desirability, Porsche has fitted the car with its Vehicle Tracking System. A pocket sized card should be carried when the car is in motion. If the car is moved without the card being present or if the car senses itself being lifted or towed, a tracking system is activated and using GPS technology, is able to trace the vehicle.
With prices starting at £70,320 for the Targa 4 and £77,370 for the Targa 4S, Porsche has deliberately positioned this car so that its no longer seen as the poor mans 911. Far from it. Compromise may be a dirty word to some 911 anoraks but Taraga owners are cut from different cloth.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Porsche 911 Targa 4 range
PRICES: £70,320-£77,370 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 20 CO2 [g/km] / EMISSIONS: 270-285g/km
PERFORMANCE: [Targa 4S] 0-60mph 4.6s / Max Speed 179mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Targa 4] (combined) 25mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS, PSM
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4427/1808/1315mm
