In November 2006, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, will be offering dealers two new variants of the eleven series at the same time - the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. Never before seen: for the very first time, the Targa models will be available exclusively with permanent all-wheel drive and a body that is 44 millimeters wider at the rear.

porsche-targa

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: porsche-targa

2007 Porsche Targa

Specifications
  • Horsepower: 355
  • Torque: 295@4600
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

As with their predecessor (the Type 996), the most striking feature of both of these elegant sports cars is the large glass roof and folding rear window. The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar flat-six engine, delivering 239 kW (325 bhp) of power from 3.6 liters. It accelerates the car from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 173 mph. The more powerful S variant features a 3.8-liter engine producing 261 kW (355 bhp). This model sprints to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 178 mph.


Thanks to Porsche’s VarioCam Plus valve control system, the Targa 4 develops maximum torque of 272 lbs-ft at 4,250 revolutions per minute. The equivalent for the S version is 295 lbs-ft at 4,600 rpm. Power transmission is via a six-speed manual gearbox with short, precise shift strokes. Optionally, customers can choose Porsche’s well-known five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, allowing very sporty gear changes using the finger pads mounted on the steering-wheel spokes.


As with the coupe and cabrio versions of the Carrera 4(S), power transmission is by all-wheel drive with a Visco multi-plate clutch, which depending on driving conditions applies between five and 40 percent of the driving power to the front axles at all times. The system thereby ensures well-balanced propulsive power in bends when driving to the limit, and improves traction even on wet or slippery road surfaces.


The outward distinguishing feature of the Targa 4(S) is a large glass roof blending harmoniously with the sports car’s lines and lending it a distinctive personality. A side-mounted polished, anodized aluminum trim strip running the length of the roof frame emphasizes the elegant side outline.


The glass roof is not just a visually appealing highlight, however, but also ensures a light, airy interior. It can be opened in only seven seconds to as much as half a meter, no matter what the speed, by means of two electric motors. The maximum roof opening area is then 0.45 square meters. The roof unit is of two-ply specially tinted glass, which is 1.9 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Wind noises are kept to a low level even at high speed by a newly developed sealing system. A wind deflector minimizes turbulence inside the vehicle, allowing the roof to be opened even at lower temperatures. The semi translucent black cloth roller sunblind provides protection from excessive solar radiation. The glass roof and roller blind are operated by a rocker switch on the central console next to the handbrake lever.


The gas strut-operated, upward-tilting rear windshield makes it easy to load the 230-liter capacity trunk with rear seats in the folded position. The tailgate can either be unlocked by a switch on the driver side doorsill or by the remote control button on the key fob. Closing is facilitated by an electric closing aid.


The basic euro-price for the 911 Targa 4 is 79,000 euros, or 87,900 euros for the 911 Targa 4S. In Germany, the prices are 91,843 euros for the 911 Targa 4 and 102,167 euros for the more powerful S version (including sales tax and country specific requirements).


The new Targa is a very special 911 – a Porsche 911 with a glass roof extending all the way from the windscreen frame to the centreline at the rear, plus high-gloss-polished, eloxy-plated aluminium trim strips extending all the way along the roofline from the A-pillars to the bottom of the C-pillars, both of these features making this special version of the 911 quite unique

and very different.


The roof itself is made up of the sliding module at the front and a separately opening rear window. The sliding section opens up half a metre at the touch of a toggle button in the centre console, gliding elegantly beneath the rear lid.


Lighter glass roof with integrated roll cover


Further enhanced and developed to an even higher standard, the glass sliding roof is made of special glass and is 1.9 kilos or 4.2 lb lighter than on the former model. It efficiently absorbs almost all ultraviolet radiation, but is nevertheless highly transparent and permeable to light. The integrated roll cover is opened and closed by the two-stage toggle switch controlling the glass roof and offers additional protection from bright sunshine or cold temperatures.


911 with a hinged rear window


Like its predecessor, the new 911 Targa 4(S) is the only version of the 911 to once again feature a separately opening tailgate made of glass. The tailgate is unlocked by remote control from the car key or by pressing a button on the driver's doorsill, swinging up smoothly to an angle of 60o when subsequently pushed slightly by hand. Once open, the tailgate provides

convenient access to the large, 230-litre (8.1 cubic feet) luggage compartment behind the front seats.


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First Targa available in two different variants


The new Targa is entering the market with both current versions of the 911 power unit: The customer has the choice of either the 911 Targa 4 developing maximum output 325 bhp (239 kW) or the 911 Targa 4S with peak power of 355 bhp (261 kW).Top speed is the same as on the 911 Coupé versions of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, with the 911 Targa 4 reaching a top speed of 280 km/h or 174 mph, the 911 Targa 4S an even more impressive 288 km/h or 179 mph.


All-wheel drive for even greater driving dynamics


The new Targa is based for the first time on the Carrera 4 with all-wheel-drive technology. As a result of this sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and the viscous multiple-plate clutch, the front wheels convey a minimum of five per cent of the engine's power at all times and, if required, up to 40 per cent of the drive power to the road. This benefits in particular the car's driving stability in bends, directional stability at very high speeds, and of course driving dynamics on difficult surfaces.


Suspension with or without PASM


Yet another new option on the Targa is the choice of two suspension variants: Proceeding from the steel-spring chassis, Porsche offers the enthusiast PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management optional on the 911 Targa 4 and standard on the 911 Targa 4S. Through this variable damper setting, PASM allows the driver to choose either a sporting but comfortable or a dynamic and truly firm suspension set-up.


Wide chassis dimensions for enhanced comfort and sporting performance all in one Based on the broad stance of the all-wheel-drive suspension, both versions of the Targa offer a comfortable set-up with driving characteristics even more sporting and dynamic than on the former model. Wider track at the rear ensures an even higher potential in terms of lateral

acceleration and, through greater sway support, serves to enhance both driving dynamics and motoring safety.


Body width 44 millimetres or 1.73" wider at the rear than on the rear-wheel-drive versions of the 911 Carrera allows the use of large and muscular wheels: The Targa 4 comes with 295/35 ZR 18 tyres at the rear, the Targa 4S features even larger 305/30 ZR 19 tyres.


Six airbags for all-round protection


Occupants enjoying the new Targa models with all-wheel drive are able to enjoy all the passive safety features likewise fitted as standard in the other current versions of the 911 Carrera. Apart from driver and front passenger frontal airbags, these include, inter alia, the Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) with thorax airbags at the outside of the seat backrests and head airbags in the doors.


Sports Car in Elegant Design


The Porsche 911 Targa 4(S) is now entering its next generation full of elegance, power and performance. The large roof made of tinted glass as well as the new high-gloss-polished aluminium trim strips on the side edges of the roof are the first eye-catcher. Another design feature typical of the Targa is the side windows tapering out to a sharp angle at the rear

and giving the Targa its characteristic, sleek and stretched silhouette. And then of course there are the widely flared wheel arches, with the new Targa for the first time boasting the wider body of the Carrera 4 models broadened at the rear by 44 millimetres or 1.73" and giving this elegant sports car truly impressive and highly dynamic looks.


Two model variants


The Porsche 911 Targa is available with two engine variants: The Targa 4 is powered by a 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer developing maximum output of 325 bhp (239 kW) and accelerating this thoroughbred sports car from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 280 km/h or 174 mph. The 3.8-litre boxer engine in the 911 Targa 4S, in turn, churns out maximum power of 355 bhp (261 kW), accelerating the car from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and sufficient for a top speed of 288 km/h or 179 mph.


Large sliding roof and hinged rear window


The Porsche Targa is characterised in particular by its large glass roof. The complete glass area measures 1.54 square metres in size and is split up into two segments, the sliding roof and the hinged rear window.


The large glass sliding roof is opened and closed by a toggle switch in the centre console, opening up by sliding beneath the rear window to an open area of 0.45 square metres within just seven seconds – approximately twice the roof opening area in the 911 Carrera Coupé with its steel sliding roof.


The roof module of the 911 Targa 4 is made up of two layers of special tinted glass 1.9 kilos or 4.2 lb lighter than on the former model. The sliding roof comes as standard with a roll cover extending when closed over the entire sliding roof area, opening and closing as required either together with the glass roof or by itself at the touch of the two-stage toggle switch

in the centre console.


Both the glass roof and the rear window come in tinted glass protecting the occupants from UV radiation and heat even in bright summer sun. As on the former model, the tailgate opens separately via a button on the driver's door cutout or by remote control from the car key, and is supported when closing by an electrical closing aid.


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All-wheel drive now also for the Targa


Based on its new body configuration carried over from the 911 Carrera 4, the Targa for the first time comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. Central power division is ensured by a viscous multiple-plate clutch permanently feeding variable power between five and 40 per cent of the engine's full output to the front wheels, depending on driving conditions and the road

surface.


This gives both versions of the Targa well-balanced drive power and traction in bends all the way to the extreme limit, very good directional stability up to top speed, and enhanced driving dynamics at all times.


Refined and sporting suspension


Both the 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S come with a suspension set-up combining superior comfort with equally superior sportiness. PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management optionally available on the 911 Targa 4 and standard on the 911 Targa 4S offers a sporting but comfortable damper set-up in the Normal mode and switches over to a dynamic and firm set-up once the driver presses the Sports button. In both positions the suspension adjusts consistently to the driver's style of motoring and road conditions, thus varying its control and operation maps within fractions of a second.


The 911 Targa 4 comes with 8J x 18 wheels running on 235/40 ZR 18 tyres at the front, the 911 Targa 4S features 8J x 19 wheels and 235/35 ZR 19 tyres. The rear wheels offer an even larger contact area, running on 295/35 ZR 18 tyres in the case of the Targa 4 and 305/30 ZR 19 tyres on the Targa 4S.


Ceramic brake discs and Sports Chrono Package Plus as an option


Both the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S come with aluminium monobloc fixed calliper brakes with four pistons each as well as cross-drilled, inner-vented brake discs on all four wheels. As an option, both cars are available with PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes featuring composite ceramic discs approximately 50 per cent lighter than comparable brake

discs made of grey-cast iron. The advantage is quick, substantial and consistent deceleration as well as abrasion reduced to a minimum.


Like the other models in the range, the Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 4S are also available as an option with Porsche's Sports Chrono Package Plus for the particularly sporting driver, offering an extra-dynamic set-up of various functions. To activate the program, all the driver has to do is press the sports button in the centre console, giving engine management, PSM

Porsche Stability Management, PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management, and the Tiptronic S automatic transmission an even more sporting and dynamic set-up.


Extra-safe passenger cell


The inner roof structure in the 911 Targa 4(S) ensures superior safety and stability at all times. As on the 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 30-millimetre (1.18") thick tubes made of ultra-strong steel reinforce the A-pillars. Welded directly on to further tubes extending along the edge of the roof and resting on the body of the car via the B-pillars and at the bottom of the C-pillars, these special tubes ensure very good protection of the occupants even in a rollover. Like all Porsche sports cars, the Targa comes as standard inside with Porsche's comprehensive airbag system featuring a total of no less than six airbags for maximum safety.


Sophisticated equipment and individual options


In terms of both equipment and ergonomics, both versions of the new Targa are largely identical to their sister models in the 911 model series. Reflecting the elegant shape of the roof in the 911 Targa, however, Porsche's designers have created new roof linings. The windscreen frame, for example, comes with modified sun visors adapted to the shape of the roof.

Both the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S are available with a wide range of leather upholstery and trim comprising both the seat centrepieces, the side supports, and the headrests on the front seats.


Further standard features are automatic air conditioning as well as PCM Porsche Communication Management complete with an integrated radio, CD-player, and nine loudspeakers. And last but not least, Porsche offers a wide range of options for customising the car, such as the BOSE Surround Sound System, the Porsche ParkAssistant, or the electronic logbook.