Best car

Porsche 911 Targa: fast, usable cabriolet

The Porsche 911 Targa is back, and according to expert car reviewer Andrew Frankel, it's better than ever

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Targa

This model from £86,291

For 20 years, the Targa has been the least desirable Porsche 911. But now, with this all-new model, that’s all going to change. Instead of being just a 911 with an unusually big sunroof, the Targa has gone back to what it first was, back in 1965: a car with a completely removable panel above the front seats, making it almost as open to the elements as the 911 Cabriolet, but far better looking than it, or indeed, any other 911 of recent times.

And today, you don’t need to wrestle with the roof because at the touch of a button, and in less than 20 seconds at the side of the road, it folds back, out of sight in a recess beneath that delightful rear screen. You even get the silver band looping across the middle of the car, just like an original Targa.

Performance

  • Engine: 3436cc, 350bhp
  • Transmission: 7-speed manual
  • 7-speed manual : 175mph
  • 0-60mph acceleration: 5.2sec

Costs

  • Claimed economy: 37.7mpg

RAC Drive Verdict

Practicality
2 / 5
Affordability
1 / 5
Safety
4 / 5
Fun
5 / 5