Porsche have blown the lid on a new toy for those wanting a bit of topless action; excuse the crude language but it’s relevant. What really got people swooning at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was Porsche’s latest addition to the 911 family; the Targa.
From the wheels to the waistline, this 911 is virtually identical to the Carrera 4 Cabriolet, but that’s where the similarities end. On top, those with a keen eye for design will have spotted the shiny, cast aluminium roll-over bar in place of the B-pillar which pays homage to the styling of the original 1965 911 Targa. In addition, the Targa is treated to a nifty wraparound rear window which tilts back to swallow the roof panel at the push of a button should you want to go al-fresco.
Sounds very much like a convertible, no? Well not really, the Targa was developed primarily in response to increased safety legislation in America which encouraged Porsche to fix a permanent roll-over bar and rear window to a Cabriolet. When the result was rolled out at the Frankfurt motor show in September 1965, the Targa was dubbed the worlds first ‘safety cabriolet’; who said health and safety can’t be sexy?
Just short of 50 years later, and we see a return to the classic sixties styling coupled with up-to-date performance. Porsche has equipped both the Targa 4 and 4S with permanent four-wheel-drive and a seven speed manual transmission as standard; good news for those who enjoy a sneaky downshift once in a while. The Targa 4 comes with a 3.4-litre powerplant producing 350hp, which will transport you from standing, to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. The 4S on the other hand, will manage it in 4.4 seconds with the help of its 3.8-litre engine, which delivers a hefty 400hp.
Priced at £86,300 for the Targa 4 and £96,300 for the 4S, both come in at slightly less than its equivalent 4 and 4S topless siblings. Despite being frequently labelled as the ‘posers Porsche’, the Targa offers an open driving experience, retro-chic looks and a super slick folding roof, all for significantly less than the Cabriolet models. It looks like choosing between the 911 line-up has just got a whole lot harder.
Rory FH Smith
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