Singapore Sling: Driving the new Porsche 911 Targa

Driving around Singapore was a breeze, thanks to the open top mechanical Targa roof.

When I first saw the original Porsche 911 Targa in the late 1970s I immediately fell in love with the bended rear windshield, aluminum roll bar and the distinctive foldable fabric roof, which one can remove and tuck away for an open top driving experience.  Fast forward to this year, last week to be exact, and this writer was handed the keys to the new generation 911 Targa in Singapore for a whole day test drive around the island. Considering it was a right hand drive country, that small detail in the end did not really matter.

As Porsche expands its current generation of the 911, dubbed as the 991 series, the new 911 Targa now joins the coupé and convertible in its the product line-up. Currently, the Targa comes only in the Targa 4 and Targa 4 S variants which mean it comes only in the all-wheel drive platform. This features the Porsche PTM all-wheel drive system that transfers proportionately more power to the rear wheels. This system guarantees maximum driving performance on a variety of road surfaces and in all weather conditions.

Since 1965, with the introduction of the 911 model, the Targa has been a part of the 911 family comprising about 13% of all Porsche 911s ever produced. But the classic “Targa” bar was last seen about 20 years ago, in the 964 series. In 1996, while Porsche still continued the 911 Targa name (in the 993 series) the Targa lost its classic flat rollbar and instead had an entire roof designed as a continuous glass panel. The front glass sunroof can be lowered and stowed under the folding glass rear window. This design continued with the 996 and 997 series until 20 years later Porsche started again to revive the classic Targa look.

The total production run for the 911 as of date is estimated to be about 853,000 units since production started about 50 years ago.  Last year, as Porsche celebrated its 50^th birthday of the 911, more than 30,200 Porsche 911 cars were sold globally.

Thanks to its ingenious roof system the soft top tucks away in 19 seconds.

By combining the classic and distinctive aluminum rollbar and an ingenious and highly advanced motorized roof, the new Targa offers the convenience and drivability of the new 911 and classic retro look of the original Targa. The new 911 Targa model retained its wide bar, replacing the B pillars of its coupe sibling and a wrap-around rear window without any C pillars.  With the flick of a button, a fully automatic roof system tucks in the soft top in a mechanical and origami-like fashion without the hassle of manually removing the foldable soft top like in the older classic Targas.

The rear edge of the soft top terminates at the fixed Targa bar. The bar has an inner steel anti-roll bar and outer elements made of painted diecast aluminum. The three gills (slits) on the bar and the “targa” badges, one on each side, pay tribute to the original 1965 Targa.

While the two variants of the new Targa come in the same all-wheel drive platform, it comes in two engines choices. The 911 Targa 4 has the 3.4-litre flat-six engine with a power output of 350 hp and can be fitted with the Porsche PDK dual-clutch transmission and Sport Chrono package.  It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 282 kph with a manual transmission.

The high model variant which is the 911 Targa 4S develops 400 hp from a slightly bigger 3.8-litre engine. With a top speed of 296 kph, it sprints to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds when equipped with the PDK and the Sport Chrono package.

Cabin comfort and safety

Porsche revived its Targa script logo and 3 slit design to pay homage to the original Targa 911

Porsche spared no expense in designing the new Targa. The roof shell uses magnesium bows that stretch its fabric hood very tightly. This is the same technology used in the panel bow roof of the 911 Carrera Cabriolet. It also uses additional insulation under the soft top that provides thermal protection and reduces driving noise when the roof is up.
The 911 Targa body is based on the structure of the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, providing additional weight savings because of its aluminum and steel construction combined with excellent structural rigidity. Just like the first generation Targa, the fixed Targa bar provides exceptionally good protection if the unlikely event the car should roll over. Porsche also uses the now-standard Porsche Side Impact Protection System with six full-size airbags that provides additional all-round protection to the driver and front passenger. This makes the 911 Targa one of the safest convertible sports cars in the world.

Driving impressions

Even at rest the 911 Targa4 looks fast

Even at first glance, the new 911 Targa visibly wider than the previous generation 997 but despite this added width, it is as nimble as the previous generation 911’s.  When driving on open roads, turning up the sport exhaust system at the press of a button allows the exhaust system to be de-throttled, merging its two exhaust lines giving it an even more throatier sound and improved performance.
The new fully variable all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management as standard gave this writer the confidence and agility in some of the twisty backroads of Singapore thanks to its sure-footed traction. Just like in the coupe and cabriolet, all the new generation 911 Porsches have an electro-mechanical power steering that offers a good road feel and precise steering as well.

For more information please contact Porsche Center Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit its showroom located at 201 EDSA Mandaluyong City.