So, Porsche finally revealed what we all knew was coming -- the 2014 911 Targa -- at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show->ke222. In years past, we have seen the targa top undergo some changes on the 911->ke282, including the original manual top to the polarizing sliding top in the 1990s and 2000s, so some folks, myself included, had additional questions about
Sure, we can watch all the videos in the world, but they do not show all the nerdy details about the top that I, a self-proclaimed auto nerd, want to know. Well, being the inquisitive person that I am, I reached out to Porsche for a little extra clarity on this topic. And they were happy to oblige with a long list of previously unreleased details on the new targa roof.
Click past the jump to read what we learned about the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa's removable top.
What's it Made Of?
This was really our biggest question: "What is the targa top made of?" The videos and images made the top almost look as if it were made from a cheap plastic or canvas, so this was a huge concern for a car that costs more than $100k. Well, we can all sleep easily, as the Porsche rep let us know that this made from "high-quality fabric" that is stretched over a magnesium frame.
How quiet is it inside?
A common issue with convertible tops, particularly fabric tops, is the noise level with the top up and top down. Under the convertible top is a sound-insulating panel that helps keep road noise to a minimum. This insulator also has a thermal effect to also keep the cabin better insulated from the elements. So, when the "polar vortex" hits us again, you don't have to worry about heat escaping from the top. With the top down, there is a manual wind deflector that can help keep top-down noise to a minimum.
How Safe is it?
A big issue with convertible tops is the safety of them, and Porsche went to great lengths to keep the 911 Targa as safe as possible. Under the targa bar is rollover protection to keep you safe in case you flip your 911. Also keeping things safe is the laminated safety glass on the expansive rear window. Finally, Porsche installed a fine heating element on the nearly the entire rear window to afford the driver great rearward visibility in snowy and icy conditions.
How Does it Open?
We've all seen the videos on how the targa roof opens on the 2014 911 Targa, but the videos only showed us so much. According to the Porsche rep, once you press the open/close button on the center console to open up the top, the rear glass tilts upward, while the two flaps on the targa bar that secure the soft top's kinematics open up to release the top from the car. Then the top folds behind the rear seats in a "Z" shape and the rear window tilts back down. This entire process takes about 19 seconds to complete -- not too bad for how complex this process really is.