Step forward aficionados of Stuttgart-built sports cars: your skills are required to confirm that this is in fact the all-new Porsche 911 Targa.
Based on the eighth-generation 911 – known internally as the 992-type – the latest iteration of the part-coupe, part soft-top has arrived just over a year after its Coupe and Cabriolet siblings. And, like those, the new Targa looks very like its predecessor.
This is very deliberate strategy as 911 customers want the world to know they’ve bought a 911, after all.
Not that the 911 Targa’s the only open-topped sports car in the upper echelons of the market – there’s stiff completion in the forms of the Audi R8 Spyder, Ferrari’s forthcoming F8 Spider and McLaren 720S Spider, although not one of them has the Porsche’s rear-engined configuration or a pair of child-sized rear seats for a degree of practicality.
Which version of the 911 Targa are available?
From launch, the only versions of the newest member of the 911 family are the Targa 4 and Targa 4S. With standard four-wheel drive, they largely correspond with the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models of the Coupe and Cabriolet ranges.
However, unlike its stablemates, the Targa is unlikely to become available in many other versions in coming years. Yes, there may well be a rortier GTS model, but don’t expect any entry-level rear-wheel drive examples or hairy chested Turbo S derivatives either.
As with the other 992-type 911s, the Targa has newly minted bodywork and fresh features such as the electric pop-out door handles and full-width LED light bar signature across the rear.
How fast is the new 911 Targa?
Engine-wise the Targas are identical to the Carrera 4 models, with both fitted with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine. Its six cylinders are horizontally opposed (often referred to as a Boxer engine), which essentially means it’s a V-configuration engine with a 180-degree arc between the cylinder banks.
Given the extra weight of the 911 Targa’s complex electric roof mechanism, although it remains fast, it’s slightly slower than the equivalent models in the Cabriolet line-up.
With 385hp available – and when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the Targa 4 will scorch from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 180mph. And eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is your only option.
Under the latest, more rigorous WLTP efficiency tests, the Targa 4 returns a claimed 25.9-26.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 239-247g/km.
Quicker still is the Targa 4S – with 450hp on tap, its top speed jumps to 189mph, while he 0-62mph time drops to 3.6 seconds. In addition to the PDK automatic, a seven-speed manual transmission is also available for the same price.
Naturally, that extra speed comes with an efficiency price to pay. 25.4-27.2mpg is the claimed average, with CO2 emissions quoted at 236-253g/km.
What else do we know about the new 911 Targa?
No surprises here that the Targa adopts the same technologies that feature elsewhere in the latest 911 ranges, including a 10.9-inch multimedia touchscreen and a Wet mode for driving in damp conditions, and InnoDrive, which includes adaptive cruise control.
Where is most obviously differs is with its roof. There’s a revised, fully electric fabric section over the front seats, which folds away behind the rear seats, while the back is characterised by that glorious wraparound rear screen. The whole opening or closing operation takes 19 seconds – seven longer than with the regular Cabriolet, but there’s more street theatre going on with the Targa.
How does the 2020 Porsche 911 Targa cost?
Although it’s available to order immediately, you’ll be waiting until August 2020 before it’s on your driveway at the earliest. Needless to say, it’s not inexpensive:
- 911 Targa 4 PDK automatic – £98,170
- 911 Targa 4S manual or PDK automatic – £109,725
Those prices are before you start browsing the (expensive) options list, naturally.
Parkers will be among the first to drive the German marque’s rejuvenated sports car, so check back with us soon for the full Porsche 911 Targa review.
Further reading
>> The electric sports car? We review Porsche’s Taycan
>> Need a Porsche that’s more practical? Read our Cayenne review
>> Find out how much your car is worth with a Parkers valuation
