The Targa, which straddles the coupe and cabriolet body styles in the Porsche 911 range, is an acquired taste, but not only has the variant endured… the Zuffenhausen-based firm has created a special edition of the 911 Targa to celebrate 50 years of Porsche Design.
To be honest, I’ve always been somewhat baffled by the presence of the Targa variant in the line-up of the iconic Porsche 911. After all, if you want open-roof motoring, then the cabriolet does it a lot more, um, comprehensively. If you want your 911 to deliver pin-sharp dynamics, then you obviously need a coupe…
Some history first… In the ‘60s, Ferdinand Porsche wanted an open-top 911, but the concern at the time was that safety legislation in America would result in a total ban on traditional drop-tops. And so, the development of the Targa (named after the famous Targa Florio road race) began as a result of Porsche’s intention to bring a “safety cabriolet” to market. Well, it was an immediate hit and sold strongly well into the ‘80s, when you could even, for a short while, buy a Targa Turbo!
However, from the 993-generation 911 onwards, Porsche strayed from the classic formula and the Targa became little more than a 911 with a glorified panoramic roof. Sales of the variant plummeted, and it was only in recent years that the Targa started to regain its classic design elements (such as the prominent roll hoop, etc.).
Targa sales are healthier these days, with most of its buyers choosing this variant (which in most instances costs almost exactly the same as a full Cabriolet) because of its design. To each their own… At least Porsche has variety in the mix.
Compared with the look of the Cabriolet when its roof is in place, I prefer the look of the Targa with its roof up. Watching the Targa roof in operation, which is akin to a beautifully choreographed mechanical ballet, is rewarding in itself!
What is the 911 Targa Edition 50 Years Porsche Design?
Well, the name is quite a mouthful and should tell you everything you need to know. This special edition is based on the 911 Targa 4 GTS and specced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design. Only 750 were built, and the car made available for the local press launch was #9 (there is a small plaque on the fascia to show each individual car’s number).
As for the exterior finish, you can have any colour you want as long as it is black – well, “plain” black or Jet Black Metallic, to be precise. Why the emphasis on the colour black? Well, black was the colour of the very first Porsche Design product, the Chronograph 1. Platinum (it resembles a brushed light grey hue) is the accent colour and it features on the Targa bar, the Porsche Design decorative film on the doors, the striking 20-inch front- and 21-inch rear wheels, as well as other elements.
Finally, a special “Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition” badge is affixed to the slats of the rear grille.
The black theme continues inside, but the Edition 50 Years Porsche Design’s leather-trimmed cabin is far from a sombre place, mostly due to the very cool (retro-looking) checkered pattern on the seat centres and Slate Grey contrast stitching.
Eighteen-way electrically adjustable Adaptive Sports Plus (with a memory package) seats are standard, as is the Sport Chrono Package, but with a special Porsche Design twist – the clock’s small second hand is red, another trait it shares with the Chronograph 1 from 1972. The headrests are embossed with the Porsche Design 50th Anniversary logo.
Powering this special edition model is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six from the 911 GTS, which produces peak outputs of 353 kW and 570 Nm of torque. It is fitted with Porsche’s superb 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission as standard, or you can have the marque’s weird 7-speed manual. Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is standard fitment, as are the high-performance brakes (they’re the same as those of a 911 Turbo). You also get the sports exhaust system – and it’s a nice touch, seeing as you can drop the roof and then enjoy the wail of the flat-6 even more.
It looks nice, but what’s it like to drive?
Seeing as there are no mechanical changes or power increases compared with the 911 Targa 4 GTS, this special edition delivers a pleasingly familiar driving experience, to say the least! The 992-gen Porsche 911 is a superb driver’s car and the ‘GTS offers a lovely balance of just enough power, precision and “feel”. Due to its complex roof mechanism, the Targa is slightly heavier (by about 70 kg), but you’d have to drive the cars back-to-back to notice a difference in performance. It blasts from 0 to 100 kph in 3.5 sec (only 0.2 slower than a Carrera 4 GTS Coupe) and has a top speed of 307 kph.
For the test-drive route, Porsche chose the sensational Franschhoek Pass, and it was a treat to hear the Edition 50 Years Porsche Design’s raspy exhaust note bounce off the cliff sides, particularly when driving with the roof down. Purists will, of course, lament the Targa’s extra weight, but in all honestly, it’s still a crisp, pure-feeling sportscar with lovely steering and an excellent transmission. I like a gearbox with a mechanical feel and the PDK certainly delivers that (and quick, precise shifts).
As a follically-challenged person, I’m not a fan of open-top motoring, so I kept the roof closed for most of the route. While parked at our lunch venue in Hermanus, the car looked sensuous and menacing and undoubtedly better-proportioned than a Cabriolet. And yes, I must admit that I do like the little bit of design drama that the Targa bar adds to the package.
Summary
Priced at just under R2.95 million (before options), you may wonder whether this special edition, which is only available in two shades of black, warrants the extra R230k outlay over a standard Targa 4 GTS or even a Targa 4S, which is about R500k cheaper (based on November 2022 prices)… I don’t think anyone can logically say “yes, it can”, so who’d buy this?
Well, this is a numbered Porsche, and that’s always a desirable thing in the 911 community. In the end, however, this is not a vehicle that you would buy with your head – your heart will have the final say. This special-edition 911 Targa reminds me of that Porsche “Dreamer” ad, which questions the appeal of a world where everything has to make sense and be practical.
The 911 Targa Edition 50 Years Porsche Design is one for the dreamers, then.
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