| Enthusiasts will recognise in today’s Porsche 911 Targa stylish design cues from the legendary 1965 original, such as the characteristic wide bar in place of the B-pillars aft of the doors, a movable roof section above the front seats and a wraparound rear window – with no C-pillar. On the latest version, the fully-automatic system stows the roof top behind the rear seats in 19 seconds, providing a choreographed kinematic spectacle in the process. |
For sixty years, the distinguishing feature of the Porsche 911 Targa has been its innovative roof system that combines the sleek appearance of a coupé with the appeal of open-topped motoring when desired. This pairing of timeless style and everyday ease of use – partnered with the long-standing 911 qualities of an emotive, rear-mounted flat-six ‘boxer’ engine delivering characteristic performance – has seen the Targa build a passionate following among Porsche enthusiasts and car fans.
And this appeal resonated with the writers at the Sunday Times, who presented the Porsche 911 Targa with its Legend Car of the Year at the News UK Motor Awards in London last night. Motoring Editor, Nick Rufford, commented: “There are ordinary convertibles and then there is the Porsche Targa. It’s lasted 60 years and it deserves to carry on for 60 more. No other car so beautifully combines the handling of a coupé and the feel of a cabriolet. If there’s still such a thing as the joy of the open road, then this car defines it.”
Inspired by motorsport: innovative performance T-Hybrid
The 911 Targa is available as a 4S and 4 GTS model. In the GTS specification, Porsche engineers used knowledge gained from motor racing as the basis for the design of its T-Hybrid system.
The lightweight and powerful T-Hybrid system has a newly developed electric exhaust gas turbocharger. An integrated electric motor, placed between the compressor and turbine wheel, instantaneously brings the turbocharger up to speed. This immediately builds up boost pressure. The electric motor in the exhaust gas turbocharger also functions as a generator. It generates up to 11 kW (15 PS) of electric power. This energy is extracted from the exhaust gas flow. The wastegate-free electric turbocharger allows the use of only one turbocharger instead of the previous two, which ensures a more dynamic and responsive power delivery.
The powertrain also includes a permanent magnet synchronous motor integrated into the new, more powerful eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK). Even at idle speed, it supports the boxer engine with extra drive torque of up to 150 Nm and provides a power boost of up to 40 kW. In total, the system output is 541 PS (398 kW) and 610 Nm. Both electric motors are coupled to a lightweight and compact high-voltage battery. It corresponds in size and weight to a conventional 12-volt starter battery, but stores up to 1.9 kWh of energy (gross) and operates at a voltage of 400 V.
The 911 Targa body style is available exclusively with all-wheel drive, expanding its dynamic capabilities and boosting traction in poor weather.
The model for a new class of sports car since 1965
Unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Show in 1965, the first 911 Targa 2.0 was a trailblazer for a whole new type of car. Originally marketed as a “safety cabriolet with anti-roll bar” – primarily in response to increased safety legislation in America – the Targa, with its detachable roof, soon established itself as an independent concept and indeed became a style icon.
Right to the present day, Porsche has continued to combine two worlds in the 911 Targa: open-top driving in a cabriolet paired with the sleek convenience of a coupé. The name ‘Targa’ comes from the famous Targa Florio race and since the mid-sixties has been synonymous with the Porsche open driving concept.
Production of the vehicle began towards the end of 1966 with the market launch of the 911 Targa taking place in 1967. This roof concept was enhanced from one 911 generation to the next. During this time, the Targa acquired the status of a stand-alone model in the Porsche range, becoming the choice for one in ten 911 buyers.
For the 1996 model year, Porsche presented a fully revised version of the 911 Targa (‘Type 993’). The entire roof was made of glass, with an electric sliding glass cover above the driver and front seat passenger that could be lowered and retracted beneath the hinged rear glass window.
Precisely 20 years after the last 911 Targa with the classic roll-over bar style (based on the ‘Type 964’) was discontinued, the ‘Type 991’ 911 generation in 2014 was the first to introduce the innovative, integrated folding powered roof mechanism. Now, the latest ‘Type 992‘ further refines this concept to bring the 911 Targa story right up to date.
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