RETURN OF THE TARGA
Porsche has introduced three new Targa variants to the 992-generation lineup. Total 911 presents an in-depth look at the specs and stats behind the new models
The really great thing is that the Targa concept is still around,” so says Dr Franksteffen Walliser, head of 911 production at Porsche. At the digital premiere of the new Targa, Dr Walliser also confessed he thinks the 992 Targa is the most beautiful 911. He might have a point: you could argue that few other models, the Coupe included, can retain the absolute classic look of the very earliest
911 models, here encompassing that iconic roll hoop and wraparound glass screen, yet bringing it so convincingly into the modern age. It’s done in this case thanks to the most ingenious system of kinetics, which somehow manages to unfurl the Targa like a clamshell before tucking that fabric roof neatly out of sight past the 911’s rear seats.
The Targa is a looker alright, accounting for around 15 per cent of overall 911 sales in the model’s 57 years of existence. It’s for this reason Porsche has unveiled not one, not two, but three new Targa models for us to lust after.
First, Porsche dropped the Targa 4 and 4S, essentially fusing the 992’s body and chassis to the roof system carried over from the old 991 – and that’s about it. Disappointed? Don’t be: that innovative roof design is so genius, seeing it in action again on a 911 proves no hardship.
There are slight tweaks in the system’s design, though. Magnesium framing of the fabric roof material means the section over the front two seats is now lighter, as is the glass wraparound screen. Porsche also says the actuators powering the system as that glass screen moves up and out over the rear of the car are stronger too, while the fabric folds into a ‘Z’ and stows out of sight on top of the flat six. However, the quoted time of 19 seconds for the roof to operate is the same as the 991 Targa before it, and you still have to be at a standstill for the roof to work – unlike in its Cabriolet sister, where the roof system is operable up to 50kph. Park Assist sensors, which are standard spec on the Targa, ensures there are no objects interfering with space at the rear of the 911 which could cause damage when that roof mechanism is in operation. If there is, the system simply won’t work, with a warning notifying the driver via a dashboard message.
Speaking of standard spec, the Targa’s is healthy: the new open-topped 911 gets PASM and the innovative ‘Wet Mode’, introduced for the 992
“The Targa Heritage Design Edition reconnects the company to its sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s”
generation, straight out the box. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus is also standard on the 4S (and optional on the 4), with an electronic locking rear differential with fully variable torque distribution.
The Targas get the same 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged flat six as their 992 Carrera brethren, producing
385hp in standard spec and 450hp in ‘S’ guise. The interior, meanwhile, is standard 992 fare – luxurious and exceedingly well built. Manual transmission is available as an option, but on the Targa 4S only. However, it’s at no cost, and comes with Sport
Chrono pack. Manual cars also get a mechanical limited slip differential.
Top speed in both the Targa 4 and Targa 4S have been incrementally improved over their respective predecessors, but it is the sprint from standstill which is most impressive. The 992 Targa 4 knocks a tenth of a second from the 991.2’s 0-100kph time, at 4.2 seconds. The Targa 4S lops off an incredible four-tenths from the 991.2 Targa 4S’s 0-100kph time at 3.6 seconds. These times are with PDK, by the way.
Those sprint times are even more impressive when you consider the 992 Targa is heavier over its predecessor – much heavier. The 992 variant is between 65-90kg heavier than before, but that depends on whether you choose Targa 4 or 4S with either manual or PDK transmission. Either way, this might be the fastest and quickest Targa yet, but it’s also quite comfortably the most portly.
Like all 992 models, the new Targa is widebodied-only, with a much wider front axle and more pronounced front arches over the 991.2 equivalent. In fact, the 992 Targa is essentially the same as the
992 Cabriolet, up to its roof line, with revised spring rates for this heavier, open-topped 911. The fact that PASM comes as standard is a big win for Targa fans – the revised technology has been a revelation for the 992 generation, and we’re hopeful it’ll provide a focused yet supple ride for this beautiful boulevard cruiser, just as it did with its open-topped sister in the Cabriolet.
While the 992 Targa’s footprint is essentially the same as the 991.2 (8.5J-wide wheels at the front and 11.5J rears on 245/35 front and 305/30 rear tyres), the diameter of those back wheels has increased by an inch to 21 inches, in keeping with the 992’s commitment to staggered wheel sizes. The 992 Targa 4’s wheels are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear, on slightly narrower 235/40 and 295/35 tyres. The 992 Targa 4S’s brake discs have also been increased by 20mm at the rear for a 350mm diameter all round. The Targa 4 has 330mm discs all round.
In terms of your choice of colours, a range of vibrant hues are available on the new Targa: take your pick from white, Lava orange, Racing yellow or Python green. The roll bar is also available in either silver or black, depending on the body colour you choose, and the roof can currently be ordered in either black or red.
And the price for all of this? The 992 Targa 4S is priced from £109,725 plus options, the Targa 4 starting at £98,170. That means the 992 Targa 4S is fully ten grand more than the 991.2 equivalent from launch just four years ago. This is in line with much of the 992 range though, which has climbed in price over the 991-generation before it. Porsche is actively taking orders now for the 992 Targa 4 and Targa 4S, with deliveries scheduled from August, meaning your Targa will be a 2021 Model Year 911, with new options available including InnoDrive and Smartlift.
Usually, this double-whammy of new models would suitably satiate us in the short term as the
992 generation continues to blossom. However, we’ve been treated to more, because a week after Zuffenhausen unveiled its Targa 4 and 4S, Porsche Exclusive chose the iconic Targa model to reveal a special edition, under an initiative that paves the way for further such models down the line on other 911 variants. The
992 Targa Heritage Design Edition is the first of four projects from Porsche’s Heritage Design strategy, which the company says was conceived “because we still have customers fascinated by design features of the past.” These special editions will be rolled out over the next four years, with the second instalment set to arrive approximately 18 months from now.
Each special edition will be limited in numbers and feature design elements inspired by different eras. Porsche says the Targa Heritage Design Edition reconnects the company to its sports cars of the
1950s and 1960s, evidenced by its Cherry red metallic paintwork, which the company says is a modernday take on a colour seen on 356s of the time (other standard colours are available). Punctuating that Cherry red hue is a new Heritage Design livery: first seen on the 991 Speedster, it’s been adapted here for the 992 Targa, with a ‘spear’ livery streaking back from the 992’s headlights, as per those seen on race 356s some 60 years ago. On the side of the 911, a lollipop design with customisable racing number can be seen (according to the customer’s preference), set above a period side graphic. There’s gold lettering on the Targa’s roll bar and at the rear, and a special decklid badge – something Porsche says will feature on every Heritage Design model – pays homage to the badge given to customers whose 356s passed the 100,000km mark during the 1950s. Speaking of badges, the Porsche crest stationed on the trunk and on the steering wheel is the ‘old’ style found on A-F series 911s, complete with a more gothic ‘PORSCHE’ font and orange instead of red stripes.
The Heritage Design Edition Targa features the same engine, gearbox and chassis as the new Targa 4S, though the brake calipers here are black, again
in homage to the appearance of calipers of the time. Those brakes sit within a forged alloy wheel with a design that will be considered iconic to Porsche fans: not merely mimicking the design of the legendary Fuchs wheel, these 20- and 21-inch, five-spoked wheels are indeed made by Fuchs.
Inside, you’ll find a two-tone Bordeaux red over beige interior, which features an extensive use of leather as standard – notice the leather around the steering column and chrono clock, for example. Numbering on the 992’s dials have been turned to green, as per 356s and 911s of the 1960s, while Porsche has also sought to revive iconic materials used on its sports cars of the period. The company says every Heritage Design car will feature a retro cloth, the Targa here treated to seat centres made of corduroy. “Our testing of this modern-day corduroy material was extensive,” says Ivo van Hulten, one of the designers at Exclusive responsible for the car. “We had to ensure it is fireproof, durable, and doesn’t fade in sunshine. We had to test all of this, which was done on our 992 prototype cars,” he tells us. Have a look on the inside of the Targa’s roll bar and you’ll also find perforated Alcantara, another excellent if subtle nod to the roof lining of pre-impact bumper 911s. Under the car’s front bonnet, the luggage compartment is trimmed in high-quality leather too. This might be detrimental to practicality, but Porsche is expecting this Heritage Design Targa to appeal more to collectors.
Collectors like limited numbers, and this first Heritage Design Edition project is limited to 992 units worldwide. Porsche says it’s expecting 50 per cent of the cars to go to North America, 30 per cent to Europe, and the rest elsewhere. The price for this slice of Exclusive motoring is £136,000 in the UK. At some £25,000 on from the 992 Targa 4S, it’s a lot of money for what is essentially some new visual and haptic trinkets, but Porsche is confident the car’s concept will prove itself as an instant classic, and favourable to enthusiasts whose passion for the company’s history is as large as their wallets.
The Heritage Design Edition initiative sets out a new era at Porsche Exclusive: we’re pleased Porsche is happy to look back on its rich history for design inspiration of modern cars, and it seems its staff are equally buoyed by the Heritage Design initiative. “It’s fun to look back on so many iconic designs of past years and bring them back to life,” says Alexander Fabig, also responsible for this special 992’s design. Fabig tells us the special Heritage Design liveries will soon be made available across the entire 911 lineup, though we don’t yet have a date as to when this might be. Similarly, some individual design aspects of the Heritage Design Edition Targa will be available as an option on all 911s.
Designed and built at Werk I, itself a building on Porscheplatz steeped in company history, the 992 Heritage Design Edition Targa is a first foray for Porsche into bringing a succession of modern-day sports cars closer to the machines of its glorious past. We’re excited to see what future concepts the department will roll out in the coming years, particularly as we approach the ten-year anniversary of Sport Classic as well as the 50-year milestone of the 911 Rennsport…