Introduction
Porsche returns the classic 911 Targa to its lineup for 2021, a special version of the 911 Carrera with a fabric roof panel over the front seats that lifts and stows beneath the rear window for open-top driving. The 2021 Porsche 911 Targa is offered in standard Targa 4 and more powerful Targa 4S specification. Expect a price premium of at least $12,000.
Exterior Features
Similar to 911 Targas that came before it, the new 2021 version features a metallic roll hoop with “Targa” script lettering at each base where it meets the car’s bodywork.
A fabric roof panel covers the front seats, and powers into a storage location beneath the exclusive wraparound glass rear window, which opens clamshell-style to accept the panel. This process takes 19 seconds, and Porsche says aerodynamic fine-tuning makes for a more comfortable and less turbulent top-down drive.
In Targa 4 guise, the car has 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Upgrade to the Targa 4S and this special 911 is equipped with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
Interior Features
Like the current 911 Carrera, the 911 Targa’s interior forms are inspired by the 1970s-vintage 911, but with an overlay of modern technology. For example, the center tachometer is flanked by digital configurable displays as a part of the new Targa’s Porsche Advanced Cockpit with Direct Touch Control.
As is true of any 911, the 911 Targa will offer a wide range of materials, colors, and other details to allow owners to personalize the car.
Under the Hood
Equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine arranged in the classic Porsche boxer layout, the 2021 911 Targa 4 makes 380 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 332 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,900 rpm and 5,000 rpm. Choose the Targa 4S and the engine blasts out 444 hp at 6,500 rpm and 391 lb.-ft. from 2,300 rpm to 5,000 rpm.
Porsche says 60 mph arrives in just over four seconds with the 911 Targa 4 and the Sport Chrono Package, on the way to a top speed of 180 mph. The 911 Targa 4S gets to 60 mph half a second faster, and tops out at 189 mph.
Every 2021 Porsche 911 Targa has a standard 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The 911 Targa 4S is offered with a new 7-speed manual gearbox, and this option includes the Sport Chrono Package.
A standard electronic rear-differential lock with fully variable torque distribution (Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus) helps to get the power to the ground in the most effective manner, while a standard active suspension with Normal and Sport modes (Porsche Active Suspension Management) manages a proper balance between ride and handling. A Smartlift function raises the 911 Targa higher off the road for urban and suburban driving situations.
To stop the car, standard 4-piston fixed front and rear calipers grasp sizable brake discs. The 911 Targa 4S has red calipers with a 6-piston design in front, along with bigger front and rear discs. As an option, the Targa 4S offers a sophisticated ceramic braking system (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes).
Safety
Among the numerous modern advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that come on the new 911 Targa, Porsche InnoDrive adaptive cruise control goes beyond safety to improve efficiency. It uses real-time navigation data to predict what’s next, looking almost two miles ahead on the route and adjusting vehicle operation accordingly.
Additionally, the 911 Targa features Porsche Wet Mode. This system employs front wheel well sensors that can identify water on the road, and then signals to the driver that use of the powertrain’s Wet Mode is recommended to maximize vehicle stability.
Technology
Porsche equips the 911 Targa with a 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management infotainment system, and it includes Apple CarPlay, navigation, and Porsche Connect Services. A choice between Bose or Burmester premium sound systems is available.
Porsche is the source of the information in this article. It was accurate as of May 18, 2020 but may have changed since that date.
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