More Than Meets the Eye: Unpacking The Performance Of Porsche's Heaviest 911

How The 911 Targa Differs From The Cabriolet

The unique feature of the Targa is that it can be transformed from a coupe to a convertible. But there is one key difference between a 911 Targa and a traditional convertible. The Targa features a fixed roll bar. Porsche calls it a “safety convertible”. Even with the top down, the rear roof section – from the B-pillar back – stays up. The rear roof section, including the rear windshield, only moves so that the soft top over the front seats can be stored.

Why the extra weight?

Currently, you can choose from three different variants of the Porsche 992 Targa – 4, 4S, and 4 GTS. Porsche has decided to offer the 992 Targa only as an all-wheel-drive model, and from 2024, the Porsche 911 Targa is also available with the new, T-Hybrid powertrain. From what I managed to find, the all-wheel-drive models are 121 pounds (55 kg) heavier than the rear-wheel-drive 911s. The optional, rear-wheel steering adds a bit more mass, though it is likely a negligible difference. Even so, this doesn’t stop the Porsche 911 from punching above its weight.

The most lightweight Porsche 992 is the 911 S/T, which tips the scales at 3,042 pounds (1,380 kg) - a hefty amount less than the 992 Targa 4 GTS’ 3,847 pounds (1,745 kg). Even so, the Porsche 911 Targa remains a lightweight in a world where 4,000-plus-pound performance cars like the Porsche Panamera are a frequent occurrence. Moreover, all of the 911’s direct competitors are heavier, and more than anything, this testifies to Porsche’s clever engineering. Still, there are a few reasons for the 992 Targa’s extra weight.

The retractable Targa top

We already covered what the Targa is about, and how in this form, the 992 can transform from coupe to a (half) convertible. The retractable part features a two-piece magnesium front section that hides in front of the engine bay but behind the rear seats. The 992 Targa’s retractable roof section spans 1.5 square meters. This is one of the main reasons why the 992 Targa weighs 330 pounds more than the 992 Carrera.

The mechanism is identical to the one in the 991 and 992 Cabriolet. It takes just 19 seconds for the Targa roof to go down. You can operate the retractable roof in your 911 at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h).

Additional chassis enhancements

Like the 911 Cabriolet, the Targa models are additionally reinforced in the lower section. Moreover, the B-pillar, which also integrates the safety bar, is stronger than on the other 911s. The 992 Targa incorporates various other systems, including additional sensors, monitoring whether there is enough space to operate the roof.

Why the Targa offers a plusher ride

The 911 Targa has always been the more laid-back Porsche. The Targa is more of a sporty GT than an all-out sports car, which is why all Targa models come with softer suspension. It is still not Bentley Continental-levels of comfort, but certainly not as unnerving as some of the sportier 911 versions.

The Targa 4 GTS also doesn’t get the lowered suspension, available on other 992 GTS models. Porsche targeted a different demographic with the 911 Targa, and considering the car’s extra weight relative to other 911 models, Porsche decided the sportier suspension would ruin the car. Some might even say, this is the "old man’s 911".

Significance And Roots of the Targa Nameplate

Porsche has a thing for naming its cars in interesting ways, resonating with the brand’s rich motorsport heritage. Just like the Carrera name comes from the Carrera Panamericana rally, Targa comes from the Targa Florio race, in Sicily, Italy. In both races, Porsche was a consistent entrant, having 10 wins under its belt, with various models like the 550 Spyder, 718 RSK, 911 RSR, 908, and other iconic Porsche race cars. So, yes, those Targa badges carry some serious weight (pun intended).

The Targa Is The most classically correct Porsche 911

All Porsche 911 models feature that fastback form, but the Targa is the most classic, with its contrasting B-pillar, finished in silver – a trait familiar from the original, 1965 Porsche 911 Targa.It was first introduced in response to forthcoming stricter U.S. safety regulations, that set to ban the sale of convertibles altogether. The now iconic silver hoop of the 911 Targa, not only looks good but also provides structural rigidity in case of a rollover, without taking away the open-air feeling of a convertible.

It is worth noting that the iconic hoop was not present only on the 993 and 996 Targa models. Those cars feature a panoramic roof, which slid backward, under the rear windshield. The 996 Targa also came with a rear windshield that could open, hatchback-style. In the 993 and 996 Targa models, the roof arcs remain in place. Porsche eventually brought back the traditional 911 Targa design with the 991 generation.