The new Porsche 911 Targa may have a spectacular roof (which can only be opened or closed while stationary), but one would have to really love it to ignore the fact that it makes the car 195 kg (430 lbs) heavier than the coupe and a lot more expensive.
Taking this into account, EVO’s Tiff Needell took the Porsche 911 Targa 4S for a drive to see how the extra weight affects driving performance. With 394hp (400PS) produced by the 3.8-liter boxer engine and all-wheel drive, the 911 Targa 4S is obviously a fast car.
Needell says that the added weight can’t be felt on regular country roads, but the trouble is the driver will always know the car could have gone quicker. For instance, the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.8 seconds of the 911 Targa 4S with a manual 7-speed gearbox is equal to the 911 Carrera’s, the base rear-wheel-drive coupe model which has 350PS (345 hp).
Needell also criticizes the Porsche 911 Targa for being only offered with four-wheel-drive, which he reckons adds unnecessary weight to the car.
Drive past the break to watch his review.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO