New Porsche 992 Targa Will Be Up For Grabs In August

Porsche has confirmed that the third body style of its latest generation 911 – the 992 Targa – will arrive in August, priced from €128,486 (around $140,150) upwards.

The new Targa features four-wheel drive as standard, though customers can choose between the $140K Targa 4 and the slightly more powerful Targa 4S, the latter of which will be available from €143,956 (around $157K), plus change. Both variants share the same core mechanical elements.

Like its predecessor, the new 992 Targa pays homage to the original 1965 911 Targa 2.0 by foregoing a C-pillar altogether in favour of a retro roll hoop and a wraparound rear window. The moveable section of roof above the front seats can be “comfortably opened and closed in just 19 seconds”, and fits beneath a rising rear glass tonneau, similar to the system used in the 911 Cabriolet.

Like its Coupe and Cabriolet counterparts, the 992 Targa is powered by a 3-litre boxer flat-six, which, in the Targa 4, produces 380bhp – up 15bhp – and 450Nm (332lb ft) of torque. Combined with Porsche’s Sport Chrono package, which notably features Launch Control and “motorsport-derived” shorter gearshifts, the Targa 4 will sprint from 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds, one-tenth faster than the outgoing model.

The Targa 4S meanwhile hits the ton in 3.6 seconds, courtesy of its flat-six punching 444bhp and 530Nm (390lb ft), an improvement of 30bhp and 30Nm (22lb ft). Overall top speed has also been given a dig in the ribs, with the Targa 4 now topping out at 289kph (2kph more than before) and the Targa 4S at 304kph (up 3kph).

Both models come with an eight-speed dual-clutch PDK as standard, though, as is also the case with the new Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, customers can also option a seven-speed manual.

In terms of design, the 992 keeps the same, though subtly tweaked, retro-styling of its predecessor, including the wide tailgate, active spoiler and full-width LED rear light bar, though Porsche does draw attention to the “more pronounced wheel housings” at the front and the original 911-esque recess in the bonnet. The package sits atop new 19in (front) and 20in (rear) alloys on the Targa 4, and 20in (front) and 21in (rear) examples on the Targa 4S.

Further refinements have been made beneath the largely aluminium bodywork, the most notable of which are bigger brakes – carbon examples are also available – and the latest Porsche Wet traction control setup, which detects water on the road surface via sensors fitted in the front wheel housing, and adapts both steering and throttle for better stability.

*Images courtesy of Porsche