Porsche 911 prototype caught sporting real Targa roof

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Design/Style

No, that's not a Type 991 Porsche 911 Cabriolet - look closely and you'll see the first true Targa since the model variant disappeared from the Porsche 911 line in 1995. Oh yes, we know Porsche has been selling one in the interim, but to purists, the giant sunroof models of the past 17 years have been Targas in name only.

While we don't exactly know how Porsche plans to package this blast from the past, it's pretty clear from the spy photos that this car has a top with a removable center section that leaves the B-pillar intact. While the convertible disguise doesn't allow us to discern much more, could it be too much to hope that the rear window is also removable?

The other big question is whether this new true Targa will be available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive, or continue the recent Porsche practice of being offered only in the latter configuration.

Speaking of which, our spy shooters have also captured the soon-to-be-introduced 2013 911 Carrera 4 and 4S. You can see from the widebody rear haunches that these are the all-wheel drive 911 models, and the reflective strip that connects the rear taillights of the 4 and 4S is merely covered with tape. While Porsche has yet to officially announce these cars that everyone knows are coming, fuel economy numbers are already posted on the U.S. government's website.

The automatic 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined. Opting for the heavier Cabriolet model will reduce your fuel economy to 20/27 and 22 mpg combined. Seven-speed manual versions lose a single digit from each number in both coupe and convertible trims. The Carrera 4S automatic is rated at 19/26, and 22 mpg combined, while the manual is at 18/26 and 21 combined. The convertible 4S with an automatic is still at 19/26, but drops to 21 mpg combined, while the manual convertible fuel economy is unchanged from the coupe.

Expect to see more official news on the Carrera 4 and 4S very soon, and we'd expect Porsche to make a big stink about the Targa model at one of next season's big auto shows.

Check out all the high-res spy shots of the Targa prototype in this gallery, and the 2013 Carrera 4 in this one.

Porsche 911 prototype caught sporting real Targa roof originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video]

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Porsche, First Drives

Think Your Job Is Stressful? Try Redesigning The 911

The world's most iconic sports car, the Porsche 911, is redefined about every seven years. This is no easy feat, as each new model must not only conform to ever tightening emissions, fuel economy and safety regulations, but must be faster and more competitive in motorsports. The 911 remains one of the most successful racing cars ever built, and for many, it's not just a sports car from Porsche - it is Porsche.

Now, an all-new seventh-generation Porsche 911 Carrera has been unveiled. While the rear-engine replacement lacks serious controversy (the move from an air-cooled flat-six to water-cooled powerplant more than a decade ago was dreadfully traumatic), the new Type 991 presents altered proportions to improve passenger comfort, handling and stability. But don't think for a moment that the 2012 model has gone soft. It is much more dynamic and capable than its predecessor. To substantiate the fact, Porsche divulges that its all-new Carrera S is capable of lapping the Nürburgring's Nordschleife circuit in just 7:40 minutes. Not only is that 14 seconds faster than last year's 997, but it matches the time of the race-ready Type 997 GT3. And that's just the start.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video]

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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