The Porsche 911 is probably the most versatile sports car ever made. It’s not only considered one of the most usable on a daily basis, but there’s also a version of the rear-engine Porsche for everyone. From the base Carrera to the very exclusive GT2 RS, which is yet to appear for the 992 generation, there are more than a dozen versions, without counting limited editions like the Speedster or Anniversary editions. With this in mind, the GTS version of the 992 generation is now on sale and it also comes in Targa body style. Here's what you need to know.

Exterior

Design-wise, we can see the usual Porsche 911 treatment. Like the 911 Carrera GTS we talked about a little over a week ago, the exterior has experienced some subtle changes, to make it slightly more distinctive and aggressive than the less-powerful 911 Targa versions. The front fascia, in particular, has a slightly sportier look, with more distinctive individual vents.

On the side, the Targa GTS looks identical to the others, except for the new sportier wheels with a center lock. At the back, we see a familiar sight from the lesser 911 models. The only notable differences are the clear taillights and the number plate location, which now belongs on the rear bumper, instead of the diffuser.

We have to talk about the Targa’s most distinctive feature – the fully automated folding roof. It has an innovative design that allows it to fold in just 19 seconds. As this is a Targa, only the section over the front seats retracts. The rear roof section features the signature Targa bar, first seen on the 1965 Porsche 911 Targa. The upper section is nicely finished with a wraparound back window.

Interior

The Targa 4 GTS is still 911, which is why you get the same simplistic, highly-finished, and driver-centric interior we’ve come to know from the other versions of the Porsche 911. The only notable difference is in the red tachometer and Sport Chrono package. You also get some red stitching and GTS accents on the headrests and door sills.

The Targa body style assumes that the 911 will not be extensively used on race tracks. As such, you don't get the option of bucket seats, like on the Carrera GTS. Instead, you have two different seat options, which depending on how much you want to spend can be four, 14, or 18-way adjustable. Unlike the Carrera GTS, the Targa 4 GTS comes with rear seats.

Drivetrain

The 911 GTS has always been a solid middle ground. This extends to the engine, which is the familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six, first introduced on the 991.2. However, power has increased from 450 to 480 horsepower, while torque has gone up from 406 pound-feet (550 Nm) to 420 pound-feet (570 Nm). The Targa comes with an all-wheel-drive, hence the "4" in the name. As such, performance is impressive, with the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time being 3.3 seconds and the top speed - 190 mph (306 km/h).

Porsche 911 Targa GTS specifications

Prices

The 911 Targa GTS has a starting price of $156,800, which is $20,100 over the Carrera GTS starting price. With this in mind, the Targa 4 GTS is much closer to the GT3's starting price of $161,100 than the base 911 Carrera's $101,200.

Competition

Jaguar F-Type Roadster

Just like the classic Jaguar E-Type, its modern-day successor – the F-Type – comes both as a coupe and as a soft-top convertible. In the P450 trim, the 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 pumps out 450 horsepower (331 kW) at 6,000 RPM and 428 pound-feet (580 Nm) at 2,500 RPM, which is enough to propel the cat to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 178 mph (286 km/h). Power is sent to the rear through an eight-speed ZF automatic. With the Jaguar, you don’t get a Targa version, but you still get a very nice interior, which combines a great driving position with old-school British luxury. Despite the power and torque figures, the Jaguar is a bit less eager to go, compared to the 911. That said, it’s also less expensive. In Europe, the British V-8 convertible starts at €102,520 or the equivalent of $120,822. However, the P450 version is not available in the US.

Read our full review on the Jaguar F-Type Roadster

Chevrolet Corvette

As capable as it is, the 911 Targa GTS will have fierce competition, in the form of the Corvette C8 Convertible. Unless you are a Porsche fanatic, you cannot argue with the bang for buck the mid-engine Corvette offers. Like the 911, the C8 Corvette Convertible has a Targa roof. However, it’s not automated, which means you have to take it off and then put it back on manually. On the other hand, the $68,495 starting price for the American convertible will be reason enough for many to go for it. Yes, it may not have the same finish as its German rival, but that mid-mounted 6.2-liter V-8 cranks out 495 horsepower (369 kW) and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm). Power goes to the rear through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. All this is enough for a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of around 3.0 seconds and a top speed of around 192 mph (310 km/h).

Read our full review on the Chevrolet Corvette

Conclusion

The GTS version has established itself as the sweet spot between comfort and performance. With the Targa 4 GTS, Porsche has expanded its GTS lineup. Although the Targa has been one of the more controversial variants of the 911, there’s no denying that the Targa 4 GTS represents a perfect blend of comfort and performance, with the iconic body style, we first saw in 1965. The Porsche 911 is one of the few cars that manage to embody both the old and the new. The GTS treatment was originally reserved for the last model year of Porsche 911, but with the increased interest, they’ve included it into the regular lineup. Infusing the 911 Targa with a bit of zest - something that started with the 991 - could mean that more people will turn their attention to the quirky, but iconic body style.