Porsche unveils the new 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S
Porsche announced today that the successor to the 996-based Targa will arrive in dealerships this fall.
For the first time ever, the Targa will be exclusively an all-wheel-drive model. The 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S share powertrains with their Carrera 4 siblings, meaning that the Targa 4 gets the 3.6 L 325-horsepower flat six, and that the Targa 4S gets the 355-horsepower 3.8L powerplant. Performance-wise, the Targa 4 runs to 60 in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 174 mph. For the Targa 4S, those numbers are 4.9 seconds and 179 mph. As with other 911s, a six-speed manual is standard equipment, with Tiptronic S available on the list of options.
Visually, the Targa 4 sports the wider bodywork of the Carrera 4/4S and features an aluminum trim strip that follows the roofline, accentuating its familiar shape. This is a nice touch -- essentially a modern version of the "targa bar," which on early models was a brushed aluminum piece. It makes the car identifiable as a Targa from a distance.
The most obvious (and important) visual difference between the Targa and other 911s, however, is the two-ply, tinted glass roof. Seven seconds is all it takes for it to slide back and reveal a 4.8 square foot opening overhead. The roof system also features a semi-translucent powered shade for days when it's simply too warm to sit under the glass alone.
Wind noise and buffeting are kept to a minimum thanks to new seals when the roof is shut and a wind deflector when it's open. The roof itself is a little over 4 pounds lighter than the one featured on the previous model. Want the open-air experience without buying a 911 cabrio? This car should fit the bill nicely.
Pricing for the Targa 4 is set at $85,700 USD, while the Targa 4S will fetch $95,900 USD. They'll be in showrooms this November. Check out more details at the 911 Targa's official site.
(Additional information and photos after the jump)
Source: Porsche
Additional Photos:
Press Release:
July 17 2006
New all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Targa
The Latest Model In The Current 911 Series, The Glass-Top Targa To Be Offered Exclusively With Wide-Body Profile And All-Wheel-Drive
ATLANTA -- July 17, 2006 - Porsche today announced that the new 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S will go on sale in November, 2006. For the first time, the Targa models will be available exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a rear body profile that is 44 millimeters (1.73 in.) wider than the standard 911 Carrera®.
Porsche's Targa concept, originally launched in 1969 and named after the storied Targa Florio race, was the first car of its type to offer all the driving sensations of a convertible without sacrificing the benefits of a solid roof. Then and now, the Targa continues to evoke a distinct cache unlike any other sports car, conveying serious sports car performance with the free-spirited thrill of open-air motoring.
As with the previous Targa model, the most striking feature of the elegant sports car is the large, sliding-glass roof and glass rear hatch, which blend sleekly into the classic 911 lines while providing the Targa with its own unique personality. A polished, anodized aluminum trim strip runs the entire length of the roof frame, emphasizing the 911's classic silhouette.
The glass roof is not just a styling exercise, however, as it also provides for a light, airy interior. Moreover, the electrically operated roof panel can be retracted at all vehicle speeds in only seven seconds, revealing a spacious 4.8 square-foot (0.45 m/sq.) opening. Made of specially tinted two-ply glass, the new Targa's translucent top is 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg) lighter than its predecessor, and wind noise is kept low at higher road speeds by a newly developed sealing system. With the top open, turbulence within the cabin is also reduced by a wind deflector, encouraging open-roof motoring even at lower ambient temperatures. A semi-translucent, black-cloth sunblind provides protection from excessive sunlight, and both the glass roof and roller blind are operated by a rocker switch located on the center console.
Gas struts make it easy to open the upward-tilting rear window, providing access to over 8 cubic-feet (230 liters) of cargo capacity with the rear seats in the folded position. The tailgate can either be unlocked by a switch on the driver's-side doorsill or by the remote control button on the key fob.
The 911 Targa 4 is powered by Porsche's venerable flat-Six Boxer engine, delivering 325 horsepower from 3.6 liters. The Targa 4 will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100 km/h, 5.3 sec.) and reach a top test-track speed of 174 mph (280 km/h). The more powerful Targa 4S variant features a 3.8-liter engine producing 355 horsepower. This model sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds (0-100 km/h, 4.9 sec.), and has a top test-track speed of 179 mph (288 km/h).
Thanks to Porsche's VarioCam® Plus intake-valve control system, the Targa 4 develops maximum torque of 273 lb.-ft. at 4250 rpm. The 3.8-liter mill in the Targa 4S provides 295 lb.-ft. of torque at 4600 rpm. In both of the new Targa models, power is routed via a standard six-speed manual gearbox with short, precise shift throws. Optionally, customers can choose Porsche's well-known five-speed Tiptronic® S automatic transmission, which allows gear changes via rocker switches mounted on the steering-wheel spokes.
As with the Coupe and Cabriolet versions of the Carrera 4 and 4S, power is transmitted to the pavement by a standard all-wheel drive system featuring a viscous, multi-plate clutch. Depending on driving conditions, the all-wheel-drive setup distributes between 5- and 40-percent of the engine's torque to the front wheels. The all-wheel-drive system ensures well-balanced proportioning of power in corners during spirited driving and improves traction on wet or slippery road surfaces.
The Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S go on sale in North America in November. Pricing for the new models in the U.S. and Canada is $85,700 (USD) and $119,100 (CAD) for the Targa 4, and $95,900 (USD) and $133,200 (CAN) for the Targa 4S.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne® sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 300 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 214 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
All photos courtesy of Porsche
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
luxury affair 1:02PM (7/17/2006)
love the targa. the best of both worlds of a convert. and hardtop
http://luxuryaffair.com
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Paul 1:22PM (7/17/2006)
What a joke. The Prius is a better engineered and more reliable car since it's made by Japanese and gets much better fuel mileage to boot.
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Luis Longo 1:32PM (7/17/2006)
Looks too much like previous gen.
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PJ 1:33PM (7/17/2006)
That's right, Paul. Plus, the 911 makes a crappy tow vehicle. Why not get an F-150 instead?
/sarcasm
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DD 1:35PM (7/17/2006)
It's a hatchback!
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Luis Longo 1:37PM (7/17/2006)
Paul, and it only carries on 4 people,
why not get an rv? lol
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G. Snyder 1:45PM (7/17/2006)
Paul - that was the dumbest thing I have ever read. I am embarassed for all of us.
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bill 3:01PM (7/17/2006)
Does anyone else agree that Porsche's are too expensive in the horsepower per dollar ratio? Granted, I know that there will be talk about the handling, reliability, etc. but in terms of horsepower, acceleration, and other measures the Porsche is overpriced.
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fizzandpop 10:31PM (7/17/2006)
God I'm sick of the trolls. And really, if you're judging cars based on horsepower per dollar, you probably buy art by the square foot, clothing by the pound and prescription meds by the trick. Please someone say somthing unretarded. I was wondering why there is no 2WD model for more tail-happy, roof-open fun. Anyone with any intelligent input on that one? Anyone out there with any real experience of the previous gen? Anyone who hasn't strayed over here from engadget? Anyone?
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Mike from Scarborough 5:02AM (7/18/2006)
I've got a boxter S,not the fastest car i've owned but unless you drive one for a while you might not appreciate the ridiculus handeling,braking,comfort and instantanious engine response..Love the Targa,,,looks good.
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Evan 7:57AM (7/18/2006)
wow.
I always loved the targas. This is the Porsche I'd buy if I could ever afford one...
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Jason 9:07AM (7/18/2006)
Does anyone know of anyone with personal experiences with these? The entire roof system is still very intriguing to me since they did it on the previous generation but my local Porsche dealer never got one in stock that I could take a look at.
Myself, I love my 79 Targa. Beautiful shape, and like mentioned above, the joy of open air driving without the fat rear end of a convertible.
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YUE 9:11AM (7/18/2006)
I am really doublt about the safty? too small and too fast...
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Josh 4:30PM (7/20/2006)
#4 That's right, Paul. Plus, the 911 makes a crappy tow vehicle. Why not get an F-150 instead?
HOW ABOUT SAVING ON FUEL AND WHY WOULD YOU TOW WITH THAT
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MiG 6:12PM (7/20/2006)
Josh...lol, dont yo see his "/sarcasm"
Duh...
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craig 12:25PM (7/22/2006)
i have been waiting for this. time to pull the trigger. never liked the small sunroofs of the carrera of the look of the convertible. and i read theres an option to get it up to 184hp. ordering mine for the european delivery. giddyup!!
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Mark 6:45PM (7/22/2006)
All you guys that are bad-mouthing the Targa, I wonder if you can even afford one.
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Nate Caplin 9:16PM (8/03/2006)
I own a 2002 Targa, and I love it, except that the roof rattles a bit when closed at certain outside temperatures (generally in the 45-60 degrees F range). Porsche dealer confirms this is normal and why a lot of people complain about it. I hope that the new glass roof, which Porsche says is now made of some kind of plexi-glass instead of glass glass, has fewer rattles ver bumps.
As far as the comments about why there is no 2WD version, I think offering the Targa as a 4WD-only car is brilliant. I, for one, always thought the Targa was the perfect Porsche, except for the lack of a 4WD and/or S version. I think the Targa appeals most to people in more temperate climates, because we like the idea of an open car, but the weather is rarely nice enough to really take advantage of a convertible. Driving a convertible around with the top up is no fun, dark, and claustrophic. And the coupe, while nice, has a sunroof that is either totally closed (no clear glass) or open to the outside air.
The Targa is the perfect compromise. And if you live someplace that has winter conditions, like I do here in Ohio, 4WD makes the car more practically to use as a daily driver year-round. I now use my Targa in the winter, albeit with a set of smaller diameter wheels shod with winter tires, and it handles remarkably well. But 4WD would remove all doubt about its abilities in the ice and snow, so long as the snow wasn't too deep.
I think the Tarag combines the bext features of both the Cayman and other 911s, namely the hatchback rear glass window that, like the Cayman, makes access to the rear convenient for lugging stuff around, and the two small back seats, which like other 911s, makes it practical to carry around a baby or small child (I do) or stash a computer bag or other items behind the front seat.
Finally, I've gotta say I love the anodized aluminum contour stripe. I like the idea of something more than the glass roof differentiating my car from other 911s. It's classy design, and it kind of reminds me of the aluminum vertical bar on the Audi Le Mans Quattro concent car.
All in all, I think Porsche has really done their homework on this one. It's definitely at the top of my list for my next car.
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