2019 Porsche 911 Targa
In April, we first got to see a number of 992-spec Porsche 911s testing with a Targa top, both on the road and at the Nordschleife. Also, it鈥檚 interesting to point out that the three gills on the vertical (but angled) bit of the roll hoop are there on duty. Also, the hoops seen on all the mules thus far are painted in satin black. Will customers be able to choose the classic brushed aluminum finish? In the front, there鈥檚 nothing new to report. Also, the surrounds of the two grilles in the lower bumper are now slightly narrower with the indicators placed horizontally within two protruding bar-like elements. The grilles themselves feature three strakes while the recessed inlet in the middle also has some ultra-small openings. From the side, the new 911 Targa looks fairly standard - electrical pop-up door handles included. In the back, again, there鈥檚 nothing new. What this means is that you鈥檒l get the same digital screens on the two-tier revised dashboard, the same lowered seats and, throughout, the same typical Porsche quality of all of the materials in sight when you sit in the cabin.
That鈥檚 good news if you like the design of the interior and bad news if you don鈥檛, of course, but a quality interior can never leave one truly disappointed. As you lower yourself in the driver鈥檚 seat, that鈥檚 now 0.2 inches lower than before; you look straight ahead at the typical Porsche steering wheel with its horizontal spokes filled with buttons. From between the leather rim and the spokes you can see the fully digital gauge cluster with the odometer in the middle (the speed is displayed below). Four other gauges are displayed, two to the left and two to the right of the odometer, Porsche trying to keep the traditional appearance of the analog gauge cluster of the past. The lower part of the center console, though, is anything but old-fashioned. Effectively, you can now order the system to locate for you the nearest convenience stores, gas stations, or restaurants, but Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is extra. The 992-generation Porsche 911 rides on the modular mid-engine (MMB) platform and, for the first time, there is no narrow body and widebody 911, all 911s are just as wide, regardless if you buy a Carrera 4 or a GT3.
The 992 is anyway 1.8 inches wider than the 991, and you鈥檒l feel it when driving it. The steering is by rack-and-pinion as you鈥檇 expect while MacPherson struts carry you across the bumps in the front and a multi-link suspension setup is positioned in the back. I鈥檓 talking about the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, flat-six that puts out 444 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque between 2,300-5,000 rpm. 7,300 option) through an eight-speed PDK transmission with flappy paddles (better than the old seven-speed unit, especially at lower speeds and when it comes to fuel economy). Expect the Targa to be a bit heftier than the Coupe and the Cabriolet. For reference, the 991-generation Targa 4S was 88 pounds heavier than the Cabriolet and 242 pounds heavier compared to the Coupe. 2,720 Sport Chrono Pack installed). Meanwhile, the 4S version is actually 0.1 seconds slower with or without the Chrono Pack. Top speed for the Cabriolet ranges between 189 mph and 191 mph. 2,950 sport exhaust, but that will most definitely anger some neighbors if you live in a densely populated area. 143,000 with no options selected.
In total, it had 20 horsepower and 36 torques more than the standard 991 Targa, and it also sat 0.78 inches lower. Let鈥檚 wait and see what we get with the 992 Targa 4 GTS then. 113,200, but that鈥檚 merely an illusion since you鈥檒l never get away with paying so little given the ludicrous prices of almost any option out there. 203,000 (for the Turbo S). In other words, you鈥檒l need really deep pockets if you crave for the ultimate open-air experience that鈥檚 not quite 100% open-air but still open-air enough! Why the C7 and the C7 alone? Well, because, as far as I can tell, it鈥檚 the only other Grand Tourer that can be had with a Targa top. The C7 Coupe, as it鈥檚 been the case with every Corvette generation since the post-facelift C3, features removable roof panels. Unlike Porsche, though, Chevy equips the Corvette with a removable metal hardtop and not a soft top.