First look: 911 Targa exposed

PORSCHE will expand its stylish 911 range later this year with the introduction of the 911 Targa 4 and 4S.

The Targa’s arrival comes on the eve of the local introduction of the flagship 911 Turbo, to be followed late in the year by the competition-inspired 911 GT3 and in early next year by the 911 GT3 RS.

Both new Targa models feature permanent all-wheel drive and the Carrera 4’s distinctive 44mm wider body at the rear.

As with their predecessor (the Type 996), the most striking feature is the large glass roof and opening rear window.

To emphasis the Targa’s elegant silhouette a side-mounted, polished, anodised aluminium trim strip runs the length of the roof line.

The glass roof panel can be retracted by up to half a metre in just seven seconds, regardless of road speed.

The roof panel is of specially tinted glass and is 1.9kg lighter than its predecessor.

Wind noises are kept low even at high speed by a newly developed sealing system. A wind deflector minimises turbulence inside the car, encouraging open-air motoring even in winter.

Important for Australian summers is a semi translucent black cloth roller sunblind that blocks harmful rays.

The glass roof and roller blind are operated by a rocker switch on the central console next to the handbrake lever.

The gas strut-operated, upward-lifting rear window makes it easy to load the 230-litre capacity rear boot (with rear seats folded).

The rear window can be unlocked by a switch on the driver side doorsill or by the remote control button on the key fob. Closing is assisted by an electric closing aid.

The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar flat-six engine, delivering 239kW and 370 Nm from 3.6-litres, giving the car a zero to 100km/h of 5.3 seconds and top speed of 280km/h.

The more powerful S variant features the 3.8-litre engine develops 261kW and 400 Nm, hitting 100km/h in an even-faster 4.9 seconds en route to a 288 km/h top speed.

Standard transmission is a six-speed manual gearbox with Porsche’s five-speed Tiptronic S automatic available as an option.

As with the Carrera 4 and 4S, power to all four wheels is via a viscous multi-plate clutch, which depending on driving conditions applies between five and 40 per cent of the driving power to the front axles at all times.

The Targa 4 costs $233,600 and Targa 4S $259,900. Deliveries are expected to start around Christmas, a perfect gift from Santa Claus.