Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the authorised distributor of Porsche, has launched the 991’s reiteration of the iconic Targa-bodied variant of the 7th-gen 911 family at its all-new RM16 million flagship showroom located in Sungai Besi.
Targa, for those who aren’t in the know, literally means ‘convertible’, and this particular 911 Targa 4S is lighter thanks to extensive use of magnesium, steel and aluminium, whereas the soft top is made of high quality fabric. This model shares its underpinnings as the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Porsche 911 Targa 4S |
| Engine | 3.8L flat-six |
| Transmission | 7 speed PDK or 7 speed manual |
| Max Power | 400 hp @ 7,400rpm |
| Max Torque | 440 Nm @ 5,700rpm |
| 0-100 km/h; Top Speed | 4.6 seconds; 294 km/h |
| Price | TBA |
EXTERIOR
The Targa design has indeed gone back in time to reflect the heritage of its older siblings. The transformation happens in under 20 seconds, where the glass rear windscreen opens up to the back and slides out. It tucks away into a small boot space. Then, two flaps on the Targa bar open and release the fabric soft top. The soft top is unlatched, and folds to the back into a Z-formation behind the rear seats. Finally, the flaps in the bar and the rear window close. Another advange of a Targa bodied 911 is that the targa bar acts as a rigidity tool in keeping the chassis stiffer for a sportier feel.
This particular all-wheel-drive model is wider than its 2WD sister by 44mm to be precise, making the Targa 4S more recognisable thus setting itself apart from its siblings. Other telling features include a pillarless windscreen and a trim-special LED light strip running across the tailgate connecting both tail lamps. The Targa sits on a set of 20-inch wheels – 305/30 ZR20 at the back and 245/35 ZR20 at the front. This particular wheel design may be familiar to some, that’s because it is taken right off the 911 Turbo.
INTERIOR
The interior is bathed in a gorgeous two-tone shade of beige and natural black leather colours. The interior of the Targa 4S can be personalised according to individual tastes, and they come in various shades of hide. For further customisations, owners can choose between mahogany wood, carbon fibre or brushed aluminium finishes and as you would expect of the Stuttgart-based carmaker, they go into excruciating detail with regards to the fit and finish quality of the interior.
Two different audio systems are offered for the discerning audiophile. A 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, powered by a 445-Watt eight-channel amplifier with an active sub-woofer built into the body of the car. The other optional audio system is an 821-Watt, 12 individually controlled speakers that are paired to a 300-Watt dedicated digital amplifier by Burmester High-End Surround Sound System. A mildly different version of this audio system is also found the Bugatti Veyron.
PERFORMANCE
This sleek sportscar is powered by what could possibly be the last ever naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six engine, following several unconfirmed reports indicating the implementation of forced induction. However, the engine that sits in the Targa 4S is an ode to tradition, pumping out 400 hp at 7,400 rpm and puts down 440 Nm of twist at 5,700 rpm onto the road.
This quad-cam, all-aluminium engine directs the power over to either a seven-cog PDK dual-clutch or a seven speeder stick shift which is then distributed by an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that’s kept in check by the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system.
For further efficiency, this revvy direct-injection lump comes with an energy-recoup system to provide power for the Start/Stop feature. But once you’re done being environmentally conscious, the Targa 4S come with a button that alters the acoustic characteristic of the exhausts, making a louder, throatier symphony of the flat-six engine while optimising performance. The quad-tail pipes is a visual indicator of that fact.
SAFETY
The new Targa 4S puts a rather large emphasis on safety with systems such as Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) that throws six airbags into the mix. The Targa bar provides additional rigidity to the already tort chassis design that is borrowed from the cabriolet family. These safety features and a host of other electronic driver-aid programs such as the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system make the 911 Targa 4S a contender to the title of being one of the safest convertible sports cars in the world.
Adding to that is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) – Porsche’s adaptive lighting system that improves visibility and safety by adapting and can adjust itself according to weather conditions. This system is also equipped with an active cornering and speed-sensitive systems which allow the headlight to reshape the light cone and follow you around a bend.
WHAT ELSE?
Fuel efficiency may not be at the top of priority check-list of potential buyers, however Porsche has stated that this slick Targa model is rated to consume from 10.0 to 9.2 l per 100km, depending on the transmission type. To that extend, this particular model has been certified to be Euro6 standard compliant. Helping its case is the electro-mechanical power steering. It lowers fuel consumption by at least 0.1 l/100 km as compared with the hydraulic power steering fitted in its predecessor.
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