Porsche 911 Targa 4 S: Review

Why the 911 Targa was one of the more surprising cars of 2014

2014 was the year the Porsche world order got somewhat muddled. We like to know where we stand with these things and, traditionally, for your 911 purist the only extremes of the range worthy of the badge are a plain vanilla manual Carrera 2 coupe or, if funds permit, some manner of GT3. 'Carrera 4', 'Tiptronic', 'Cabriolet', 'Aerokit' 'PDK' even ... all words likely to prompt a look of disdain from your typical 911 snob. Targa would, traditionally, reside on that list also.

'Big sunroof' 993, 996 and 997 Targas out of shot...

But as the 991 range has matured and expanded odd things have happened. 'Base' Carreras are lovely things but in size and performance terms seemingly in a precarious place. The upper reaches of the performance envelope remain a special place to be but the loss of more innocent pleasures like the compact, B-road friendly size and determinedly eccentric ergonomics have done more to neuter the base 911 than seven-speed manuals or electric steering. Throw in a growing portfolio of charismatic rivals like the lairy F-Type or sophisticated Mercedes-AMG GT and all of a sudden the 911 is having to work for its supper like never before.

Half rice...
Odd then that the one that gave us the most surprise and delight in the last 12 months was the version that, quite clearly, stands at the opposite end of the spectrum from the 911s we've traditionally been attracted to. The Targa is, after all, heavier, slower, four-wheel drive only and based around the twin gimmicks of retro novelty and the kerbside theatre of an elaborate folding roof. It is, unashamedly, more about style than content.

Bit more involved than popping out a panel

But as the enjoyment of fast cars becomes ever more vexed is a 911 built as much for pose value as performance perhaps the solution?

It's certainly got the visual impact and wow factor. Referencing the original 1965 Targa's silver roll hoop look while adopting a high tech solution to the faff of manhandling roof panels would appear a masterstroke. It's certainly given the Targa a more distinct voice in the ever growing 911 range, especially when compared with the big sunroof look adopted by Targas in the post-964 era.

...half chips
And, as the Cabriolet has proved, the 991's shape has proved more accommodating of removal of the roof than perhaps any other open top 911. Structural integrity is often used as a stick to beat cabrio versions of popular coupes but, without that reverse C-pillar, Targa and Cabrio 911s have always looked like big bootied versions of the more muscular and purposeful coupes. Which is ironic, given the well stocked rear seems to have fallen into favour in recent times.

Driving experience not compromised one bit

Staying on topic though...

You may have surmised from the above admission for thinking the Targa is now a bit of alright that it's merely adequate to drive. True enough, by the numbers it remains arguably the least driver focused 911 in the range, the PDK 4 S Targa as tested 90kg heavier than an equivalent 4 S Carrera and more than £8,000 more expensive to boot. Indeed, you could have a C4 GTS PDK and £122 in your pocket (nearly enough for your embossed Porsche crests on the headrests...) for the £98,801 starting price of this car. A PDK 4 S Cabriolet is a small amount - £647 to be exact - more and 20kg lighter. And of all the 4 S variants the Targa is the slowest by as much as half a second to benchmarks like 0-62mph, 0-100mph and Porsche's own measure of 'elasticity' - in-gear acceleration from 50-75mph in fifth in a manual equipped car. If such things keep you awake at night it's also slightly thirstier and worse on CO2, though only marginally.

Inspiration to use original's influence is inspired

I like big butts
Against that added bulk the normally aspirated S engine does have its work cut out too, 400hp less of a concern than the fact there's 'just' 324lb ft of torque and it doesn't arrive until the rev counter passes 5,600rpm. By modern standards that's decidedly peaky but, in keeping with the general theme, it's less about the numbers than the sensations.

The S motor spins up with eagerness you'd have expected of a GT3 of a generation or two back and if it lacks punch in the guts acceleration it more than makes up for it with the howl as the lungs open around 4,000rpm. Just kicked in, ja, and all that. You need to rev it out then but PDK makes dropping a few cogs literally a twitch of a finger away and as hardships go we've had to endure worse. If you're feeling flush there's always the 430hp Powerkit option too, a snip (cough) at £9,387.

No longer the ugly duckling of the 911 range

Purists may also bemoan the perceived mollycoddling of the four-wheel drive chassis but, again, Porsche has probably correctly identified that this fits with the Targa's all-rounder role. You can have it as a manual if you wish but we'd be surprised if many leave showrooms without the PDK box ticked.

Package holiday
And, of course, it all works beautifully as a package. Much has been said about the 991's electric steering but, of its type, it remains among the better ones and simulated or not the twanginess around the dead ahead gives you the sense of something to lean against. And although it doesn't get the four-wheel steering of the Turbo or GT3 that traditional 911 understeer is gone, the structure stiff and wobble free and torque vectoring four-wheel drive system utterly dependable. Standard on the S, with PDK you get PTV Plus with a full electronic control over a variable locking rear diff. Indeed, on a greasy road it'll even settle into subtle and delightful four-wheel drifts that feel entirely natural and confidence inspiring, hammering home the daily usability point.

Standard 4WD means it works even in this

Dropping the roof does take a while - and some space - but the pose value is off the scale. And suitably embellished the 991 interior has never looked better. The buffeting Matt encountered on the launch is still there but, other than that, the sense of compromise in previous Targas is gone, replaced by delight in how this novelty act has been delivered with such class. Simply, it's just a nice car. Not the fastest or most hardcore Porsche ever. But one that's lovely to be around. The feelgood factor has even started to trickle down to earlier Targas too, 'roll hoop' versions like the 964 and older enjoying something of a resurgence on the used market in the reflected glory.

So there we are. 2014 may be remembered for many things; for those of us fixated by rear-engined Porsches it'll be remembered as the year the Targa turned cool. Hope yet for the Turbo S Cabriolet? One step at a time...

991 Targa roof in action

PORSCHE 911 TARGA 4 S
Engine: 3,800cc flat-six
Power (hp): 400@7,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 324@5,600rpm
0-62mph: 4.8 sec (4.6 with PDK, 4.4 with PDK and Sport Chrono)
Top speed: 184mph (183mph)
MPG: 28.2 (30.7) NEDC combined
CO2: 237g/km (214)
Kerbweight: 1,555kg (1,575) DIN empty
Price: £96,413 (£98,801)