Porsche 911 Targa 2014 Review

When Porsche unveiled the Targa variant of its 911 sportscar at the Detroit motor show in January, the crowd stood fascinated by its innovative roof action.

The large domed rear window hinges up and back, leaving an exposed shelf behind the rear seats. Then the roof section above the front seats swings up and over the wide rollover bar on to the shelf, before the glass returns to its position. It happens at the push of a button and takes less than 20 seconds.

VARIANTS

The 911 Targa comes only with all-wheel drive and shares components with 911 Cabriolet 4 models, including the wider rear end. Two flat-six engines from the 911 range are available: a 257kW 3.4-litre in the Targa 4, or a 294kW 3.8-litre in the Targa 4S.

PERFORMANCE
 
As with other all-wheel drive 911s, the system is biased towards the rear wheels under normal conditions but can vary power infinitely between the axles to make the most of available grip. The Targa 4 can hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 282km/h. The 4S is 0.4 seconds quicker to 100km/h and reaches 296km/h. Fuel consumption varies from 8.7 to 10 litres per 100km depending on engine and transmission combination.

PRICE

The two Targa models sit above the equivalent Cabriolet 4 models in the myriad 911 line-up, and below the upcoming GTS variants. With seven-speed manual transmission, the 911 Targa 4 starts at $250,000 and the 4S at $287,200. A seven-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox costs an additional $5950.

LIKES

The seventh-generation Targa successfully revives the styling of the 1965 original after years of Porsche flirting with less appealing sliding glass roof panels. It's an eye-catching design that looks good with the roof either up or down, and nothing can match that opening mechanism for automotive theatre. This also allows it to avoid the ugly rear "hump" that is necessary for stowing the folding fabric roof in Cabriolets. The Targa has similar dynamic qualities to other all-wheel drive 911s and boasts the same creamy engines with their wonderful sound and power delivery.

DISLIKES

The roof mechanism cannot open or close when the car is in motion, which is a key disadvantage when the weather turns sour, and needs space to operate. The cabin can be blustery with the roof open, despite limited exposure to the open air. The rear glass has a wiper but lacks a washer function. The Targa is heavier (by 40kg) and slower to 100km/h (by 0.1 seconds) than the equivalent Cabriolet 4 model. It also misses equipment that should be standard at this level, such as parking sensors and heated seats.