For the 2021 model year Porsche has released the third body style 992 911, the Targa. The 911 Targa body style is nothing new to Porsche as it has been around since the mid-sixties but it’s the first time that it’s appeared in the 992 generation of Porsche’s iconic sports car. Adding an electric clam style roof, the 2021 Porsche 911 Targa goes from closed to open top in 19 seconds.
So far, just Carrera 4 and 4S models are part of the Targa range, though you can bet on further variants such as the GTS being added down the track. Australian pricing starts at $275,800 plus on-road costs for the Carrera 4 – the 4S is $38,300 more at $314,100.
Just like the other models in the 992 family, the Targa will be powered by the 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine with, in the Targa 4 this will produce 283kW of power and 450Nm of torque. If the optional Sports Chrono Package is ticked, the Targa 4 will get from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds. This is one tenth faster than the previous model.
Stepping up to the Targa 4S gains 48kW, bringing the total output to 331kW/530Nm while improving the sprint to 100km/h to just 3.6 seconds. The top speeds of the Targa models remain largely unchanged from before at 289km/h for the Carrera 4 and 304km/h of the 4S. Both models will feature Porsche’s eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, and as the name suggests, all-wheel drive.
Enthusiasts will rejoice as the 2021 911 Targa 4S can be special ordered with a seven-speed manual gearbox and ordering the manual also selects the Sport Chrono Package.
For the first time in the Porsche 911’s history, adaptive cruise control will be offered as part of a Porsche InnoDrive Package (which won’t be offered here), as well as an enhanced smart lift system to prevent the 911 bottoming out on driveways and speed humps.
The adaptive damping system (PASM in Porsche speak – Porsche Active Suspension Management) is part of the standard equipment list of the 911 Targa models. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), which includes an electronic rear differential lock with fully variable torque distribution, is standard for the Targa 4S but is optional on the lesser Targa 4.
Targa 4 models will have 330mm diameter brake discs front and rear – the 4S has 350mm discs in their place. Carbon ceramic units are optionally available, though will likely be very expensive.
Like the other 992 variants, the Targa models are also equipped with Porsche Wet Mode as standard, which means that the 992 has sensors fitted in the front wheel arches which are capable of detecting water on the road, if water is detected the driver will be notified on the information display in the cockpit to switch to wet mode to have better traction and driving stability.
Will we see the 2020 Porsche 911 Targa on Aussie streets?
Porsche have confirmed that the Porsche 911 Targa range will be offered locally with a reasonable list of standard equipment including LED headlights, lane change assist, a 360-degree parking camera, auto-dimming/folding mirrors, heated 14-way adjustable sports seats with memory functionality, a Bose sound system, digital radio and a 10.9-inch touchscreen with inbuilt satellite navigation.
The 992 generation of 911 Targa will hit Australian showrooms in the third quarter of 2020.
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