German Car Zone

Porsche 911 Targa 4S

Rating:

Glass-roofed 911 should be the best of all worlds


"Coupe and Cabriolet rolled into one. That’s what the 911 Targa seems to offer, and there’s no doubt that for some it’s the perfect 911. For the latest version, Porsche has decided to make it exclusively all-wheel drive, whether it’s the regular 321bhp model or the 350bhp S. It also has the Turbo’s wide-body, wide-track stance and its more sophisticated, more responsive transmission, which apportions between 5 and 40 per cent of power to the front wheels.



The see-through roof now has thinner glass but the car still weighs 60kg more than the 4S coupe, and most of it is sat up high. Body-strengthening includes a steel hoop inside the screen surround and tubes extending the length of the roof. Press the button on the centre console lightly and the gauze sunblind retracts, press it fully and – at any speed – the large centre glass panel drops an inch and reverses until it is sitting beneath the rear screen.



It’s pleasant enough with the sun streaming in, and buffeting is notable by its absence, the air inside the cabin remarkably still at 100mph. However, our example was beset by a number of very minor but irritating twitters that may have been down to structural flex. Also, with the roof closed there was appreciable wind noise.

The 4wd Targa isn’t the solidly planted, neutral-handling 911 you might expect. Being less structurally stiff than the coupe, it has commensurately softer springs but to counteract the greater mass it carries higher up it is equipped with beefier anti-roll bars. Consequently, while its rear seems to resist squat quite firmly, the nose bobs over crests and dips and it exhibits that mild, corner-to-corner corkscrewing motion through undulating curves that has long-defined the rear-engined Porsche. You can also find yourself winding on opposite lock out of the tighter corners, the slide and recovery clean if you ride it out on a steady throttle. Press the Sport button and the damping and throttle response are sharpened noticeably.

It’s entertaining, the Targa, but it doesn’t offer the refinement or dynamic poise of the Carrera, nor the exhilarating fresh-air sensations of the Cabriolet. It also costs £5400 more than the equivalent coupe. UK sales of the 996 Targa amounted to a couple of hundred in five years. I can’t see that number rising significantly."

Rating and Specifications


All the usual 911 qualities



Dubious value

Engine:Flat-six, 3824cc, 24v
Max power:350bhp @ 6600rpm
Max torque:295Ib ft @ 4600rpm
0 - 60mph:4.9sec (claimed)
Top Speed:179mph (claimed)
Price:£77,330
On sale:Now

I saw the Targa at en auto show a couple of weeks ago and i was suprised how beautiful it was in real life. It is wide and the glass roof let pleanty of light inside the coupé. I would say it is the most beautiful 911, too bad the price tag is very high.

Sadly, i have not see a 997 Targa IRL yet, but i can't wait. From the various pictures i've seen around the Net i know i love it.

As you said, it's a shame the price tag is so high That's the only downfall in my opinion however would i pay the extra money for the Targa version..? I just might...

P.S. - Love those Turbo alloys fitted to this car

Never really paid attention to the Targa but I must say it looks quite distinct from all the other 911 platforms and this 997 looks quite sophisticated. Even so u get the Carrera S for less money and permanent hardtop.

Thank you for the article. Though I get the same one in my EVO. Did you type out the whole thing or do they have it for free online?

Amazing as the 911 series is, I can't imagine myself spending a lump sum of money for this when I can get an equivalent Aston or Lamborghini.

I didn't have to type it out, thank God

It's on EVO's site

P.S. - Thanks guys

Upon closer examination and testing, the new Targa falls short in two areas, IMO. First, when the roof is open, the sensation of open-air is not nearly as much as might be expected... little more than a slightly larger sunroof.

Second, when fully open, the lower 50% of rear visibility is blocked by the roof panel's motorized shade housing. A very big surprise. It is a significant negative attribute that is essentially inherent in the design.

The Targa is a good idea that unfortunately truly falls short in these areas. After discovering those unexpected limitations, I passed on it, and went with the Cabriolet, and I am soooo glad I did.

I recommend that others check it out carefully when choosing models.

Welcome to the forums TagMan. I appreciate your views on the targa 911 and the comprises which it gives.

Welcome! The Targa is a cool idea, but like Tagman said, its compromises too much: Not open enough for a drop top, not rigid enough for a coupe. If you aren't too particular about these areas its cool, but why not take a coupe, or a drop-top instead?