Porsche 911 Targa is faster, safer and smarter for 2021
For a model with origins tied to passenger protection, the 911 Targa offers an incredible combination of panache and performance.
That combination of the visceral and practical — the roofless body style was originally marketed as a “safety” cabriolet “with anti-roll bar” — must be quite attractive to Canadians.
In terms of 911 buyers, we make up the world’s second-largest market for Targas, after Germany.
What has the 2021 version got for us? A lot of power — even the base Targa 4’s 3.0litre turbocharged flat-six pumps out 380 horses and accelerates to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.2 seconds. Opt for the 4S version and that same engine pumps out 450 hp and gets to 100 in just 3.6 seconds.
Even though the eightspeed (up one cog from the previous-generation Targa) dual-clutch PDK transmission is standard, the 4S can be had with Porsche’s seven-speed manual gearbox complete with the Sport Chrono package.
As a sop to the all that increased performance, the 4S is also equipped with six-piston front brake calipers and 10 millimetre wider tires all round.
Particularly nifty is the Targa’s Wet Mode, which uses sensors in the wheel wells to determine road conditions and alert the driver that enhanced traction control is needed.
Lastly, all new on the technology front is Porsche InnoDrive, an adaptive cruise control system that can predictively change cruising speeds according to road conditions three kilometres ahead.
And in yet another convenience item, SmartLift can be programmed to electro-hydraulically lift the front end some 40 mm for more ground clearance by remembering the GPS co-ordinates of troublesome garage entries or exaggerated curbs.