2014 Porsche 911 Targa: Right on Target
The Targa has returned.
Unveiled last month in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, the Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S combine the classic 1960s Targa design with innovative roof technology and today’s luxury sports car performance.
In the tradition of the original 1965 Targa, the new models feature the distinctive Targa roof bar, a movable front roof section and a wraparound rear window. More conveniently, however, this roof segment can be opened and closed by button, and the automatic roof system easily stows the top behind the rear seats.
“The combination of the wide body, the Targa bar and the wraparound rear window results in an extremely sporty and low-slung profile,” says Porsche Cars North America Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., for the Stuttgart, Germany-based company, this year celebrating 63 years.
Powered by a horizontally opposed 3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine with 350 horses, the 911 Targa 4 accelerates zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds when equipped with the Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono package, and it’s capable of a top track speed of 174 mph, 175 mph with the manual transmission. The MSRP is $101,600.
The PDK features manual and automatic modes. “PDK offers extremely fast gear changes with no interruption in the flow of power, improved acceleration over the manual gearbox, very short response times, reduced fuel consumption and a distinct increase in comfort,” the company says.
The more powerful 911 Targa 4S delivers 400 horsepower from its 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds when equipped with optional PDK and Sport Chrono package.
The 911 Targa 4S can attain 183 mph when equipped with a manual transmission and 182 mph with PDK. The MSRP is $116,200.
Both the Targa 4 and Targa 4S have a destination charge of $995, and U.S. deliveries will begin this summer.
An AWD version is also available for the cars, featuring the wider rear track and body and the same Porsche Traction Management (PTM) found in all 911 all-wheel-drive models.
“It 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,” the company says.
At the Detroit show, the all-new Cayenne Platinum Edition and Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition were also seen. Both are based on the Cayenne and Cayenne Diesel variants. These editions offer many of the most-requested options as standard features.
Special paint sets these cars apart: Platinum Silver Metallic, with an exclusive two-tone standard interior in Black/Luxor Beige.
The Cayenne Platinum Edition, with its 3.6-liter V-6, delivers 300 horses, 295 lb./ft. of torque and zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The base MSRP is $63,300.
And, the 3.0-liter V-6 turbo diesel engine in the Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition has 240 horses and allows the car to attain 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Its base MSRP is $66,900.
A $995 destination charge applies to both cars.
Also displayed in Detroit were the Porsche Macan S and Macan Turbo, which had premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show late last year.
The Macan is Porsche’s first sports car in the fast-growing compact SUV segment. Powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 with 340 horses, the Macan S accelerates zero to 60 mph in five seconds.
The Macan Turbo’s 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 produces 400 horsepower and allows the car to jump from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Arriving at U.S. dealerships in late spring, the 2015 Porsche Macan models are set at $49,900 for the Macan S and $72,300 for the Macan Turbo.
Porsche Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S, Cayenne and Macan, www.porsche.com