Porsche->ke1 introduced the 911 Targa back in 1967, four years after the regular 911 went on sale. Unlike the coupe->ke141, the Targa came with a removable roof section, a full rollbar behind the seats, and a fixed rear window. The Targa name is a registered trademark of Porsche AG, but other manufacturers have used the concept as well, including Ferrari->ke252, Dodge->ke28, Bugatti->ke16 or Chevrolet->ke199. Targa body styles continued to be offered with mostly each facelift or redesigned 911, although these versions were less popular than the coupes and the cabriolets. The 991 series received its Targa variant for the 2014 model year, two years since the revamped 911, this time using a brand-new platform, arrived in U.S. dealerships.

As we're moving closer to the 2015 model year, the Germans are working on a revised version of the 911 Targa, which is set to arrive alongside the facelifted, 992 version of the current 911. The update brings many visual changes, as revealed by the latest spy shots we receive from our trusted paparazzi, but modifications are likely to occur under the skin as well.

Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche 911 Targa Facelift.

2016 Porsche 911 Targa

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Porsche 911 Targa
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Spy Shots

September 1st, 2014 - First testing session

Porsche didn't waste time working on the facelifted Targa, and these spy shots come just seven months after the current model was launched at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. What's more, this prototype seems to be pretty close to its final, production form, at least judging by the large number of new design elements. Already seen on the facelifted 911, the restyled bumpers are available on this Targa test vehicle as well, including the active air ducts and the new headlamp graphics. Have a closer look around the back and you'll notice there's a new bonnet grille and taillight clusters, although the latter are still partly obscured by camouflage.

Rumored to go carry the 992 designation instead of the initial 991.2 moniker, the 911 Targa is expected to make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014. As usual, the Targa will borrow its turbocharged, inline-six engine from the regular 911.

Competitors

Jaguar F-Type

Available in three guises in the United States, the Jaguar F-Type is a great alternative to the 911, although the British sports car has its engine mounted at the front and no targa version is offered. The base model is motivated by a supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Moving up the range, there's the F-Type S, which carries the same unit under the hood but output sits at 380 ponies and 339 pound-feet. Lastly, the F-Type R gets its juice from a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 mill, which means customers benefit from 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The range-topping version is also the fastest, needing only four seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph up to a top speed of 186 mph.

All F-Types are well-equipped, but don't really match the 911 in terms of luxury. Pricing starts from $65,000, but the sticker can easily climb into the $100,000 range when the R model is selected and a few options are checked.

Audi R8

The R8 is about to be replaced by a revised version, but for 2015 the sports car remains essentially unchanged. New exterior colors and new interior trims round up the updates for 2015, a year in which the R8 gets to keep its 4.2-liter V-8 engine. The eight-banger now delivers 430 horsepower at 7,900 rpm and 317 pound-feet of torque from 4,500. Power is routed to the wheels through a seven-speed S tronic gearbox or the familiar six-speed manual. When equipped with the former, the R8 will charge from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 186 mph. When paired with the manual, the engine pushes the sports car from naught to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and onto a top speed of 187 mph.

The R8 V8 retails from $115,900 for the 2015 model year. The base price comes with a manual transmission. For an automatic, customers will have to pay at least $124,900 before any other options. The Spyder model is priced from $129,400.