Porsche 911 Targa 4S quick spin

THE DETAILS

Porsche 911 Targa 4S

From $293,150 plus on-road costs

Vitals 3.8-litre six-cylinder petrol, 294kW, 440Nm, 7-speed dual-clutch auto, 9.2L/100km, AWD

What is it?

The latest addition to the extended 911 family. The Targa was a classic in the 1960-70s but in recent years it strayed from its roots. Unlike the last three generations this 991-generation model returns to the original style Targa roof, removing the middle section completely rather than just a glorified sunroof of recent 911 Targas.

What does it say about me?

That you enjoy a stylish classic. The return to the traditional aluminium Targa bar gives this latest model a link to the past. But the Targa is really about making a fashion statement because it doesn't offer any performance or practicality benefits over the coupe. 

What colours does it come in?

There are 14 Porsche colours to choose from but in keeping with the modern trend of customisation for $9490 you can choose whatever hue you want.

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

Diana Rigg. Like the star of The Avengers (the TV cult classic, not the movie) and Game of Thrones, the 911 Targa was a style icon in the 1960s that is still going strong today.

Why would I buy it?

Because it does everything you expect from a Porsche 911. It's easy to drive every day and yet utterly brilliant to drive fast. And it looks good doing it.

Why wouldn't you buy it?

Because with the roof stowed the wind noise detracts from the experience, rather than enhancing it. It's fine for cruising around town if you just want to let everyone get a clear view of you driving your Porsche. While there is less turbulence in the cabin than the cabriolet models, the T-bar makes it noisy at speeds over 70km/h and above 80km/h it becomes hard to hear anything else – even the glorious flat-six engine.

Will it let me down?

Porsche have been building the 911 for more than 50 years, so it is pretty good at bolting them together. If there is a supercar you can drive every day, the 911 is it.

Will it get me noticed?

While 911s may be a pretty common sight after 50 years, there's something about the Targa style that turns heads, even after all these years.

Any gadgets I can brag about?

The folding roof is a very clever mechanism. The rear part of the cabin moves rearwards to allow the centre section of roof to slot neatly above the engine and behind the back seats. It is smart packaging because with the roof up it means there is extra storage space available for additional luggage. And if that's not cool enough you can show off by removing the roof when you're outside the car by pressing a button on the key fob.

How's the cabin ambience?

Sporty but sophisticated. The current generation of Porsches have managed to capture the classic style of the 911 (the circular dials still look cool) but with a modern touch. The centre console tapers down between the driver and passenger to create a sense that you are cocooned in the cabin.

Is it practical?

Surprisingly so. I spent a weekend taking my two kids – who fit happily in the back seats – to swimming lessons, shops and a drive in the countryside without any trouble. The front boot even managed to swallow a shopping trolley full of goods.

Does it go?

Dial up the Sports Plus mode and the engine launches the 911 Targa like a rocket. Our test car was the 4S model, which brings Porsche's all-wheel drive system to the party along with wider bodywork, so it had no trouble transmitting the power to the road through the big Pirelli tyres.

Does it like corners?

Is Tony Abbott unpopular at the ABC? Putting the engine in the back may be 'wrong' but after 50 years of work Porsche's engineers have managed to make it feel very, very right. The 911 offers up so much grip and feedback to the driver it is at home on a challenging set of bends or even a racetrack.

What about bumps?

It's a sports car so the ride is firm but it never feels harsh. Over really rough roads the ride can get busy and hits larger bumps firmly but there is always good control.

What about service stations?

The claimed average for the 4S is an impressive 9.2-litres per 100km. That feels achievable with the right conditions and patience but in our time in the car - which involved some spirited windy road driving, urban commuting as well as highway cruising - we saw a return in the mid teens.

Would you buy one?

The 911 Targa looks great – the designers should get top marks – but I'd prefer a traditional coupe for a pure driving experience.

What else should I consider?

Well the obvious alternative if you want open-air motoring is the 911 Cabriolet. The 911 Cabriolet 4S costs $4300 less than the Targa and gives you a classic convertible feel.

Of course you could opt for the Porsche Boxster which offers Porsche driving thrills and top-down motoring for at least $141,700 less.

The Spin

"Over the course of a lifetime, we gather a lot of memories, some of which play out in our minds like films."

The Translation

We'll say anything to justify 19 variants of one model.