These are the all-new Porsche 911 (991) Targa 4 and Targa 4S models that were officially unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The new vehicles from Porsche is described by the German company as the first to combine the classic Targa concept with cutting edge, innovative roof technology.
Inspired by the original 1965 Porsche 911 Targa, the new models come with the distinctive Targa roof bar, a movable front roof section, and a wraparound rear window. Still, what’s more interesting is that the 991 Targa roof segment can be opened and closed at the push of a button. The fully automatic roof system stows the Targa top behind the rear seats.
As we said, both 911 (991) Targa models are offered only in AWD versions, which means they feature a wider track and body as well as the Porsche Traction Management (PTM), found in all 911 all-wheel-drive models.
For those who don’t know, PTM is an active all-wheel-drive system that helps to ensure the optimal distribution of drive power for optimum traction in most road scenarios, whether on long straights, through tight corners, or on surfaces with different friction coefficients.
Under the hood of the 2014 Porsche 911 (991) Targa 4, there is a 3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine that generates 350 hp. Equipped with the optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono package, the 911 (991) Targa 4 hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 174 mph (175 mph with the manual transmission).
Meanwhile, the 911 (991) Targa 4S is powered by a 3.8-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine that delivers 400 hp and hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.2 seconds when equipped with optional PDK and Sport Chrono package.
Top speed is electronically limited at when equipped with optional PDK and Sport Chrono package. Pricing starts at $101,600 for the 911 (991) Targa 4, while the 911 (991) Targa 4S costs $116,200. Both cars also have a destination charge of $995. Deliveries of the 911 Targa in the U.S. are scheduled to begin this summer.
The new Porsche 911 Targa is literally a fusion of the sportiness of the current 911 generation and the timelessness of the original Targa. By adopting the original concept -- with a fixed Targa bar – the 911 Targa continues its legacy while renewing the tradition by implementing a groundbreaking roof system.
This roof system features two moving parts: a glass rear window and soft top. With a single push of a button, the glass rear window opens to the rear, then tilts and joins the stowage box lid. During this process, the two flaps in the Targa bar also open and deploy the soft top kinematics. Once the soft top is unlatched, it folds to the rear of the vehicle into a Z-shape during deployment, and then stows behind the rear seats.
Then the soft top is integrated into a panel behind the rear seats. The process ends when the flaps in the bar and the rear window close. Once the soft top is properly stowed, a wind deflector -- integrated in the cowl – could now be adjusted manually to reduce draught to the interior.
Using controls on the center console, the roof could be opened or closed in around 19 seconds while the 911 Targa is at standstill. A standard integrated rear ParkAssist keeps track of the area behind the 911 Targa while the roof is being opened or closed, thereby protecting the car from possible damage. Once the sensors detect an obstacle within 40 cm of the car, ParkAssist would give an audible warning to prevent the rear window from colliding with the detected obstacle.