Porsche celebrates 50 years of the 911 Targa

  |   26-08-2015

First GTS model to mark the anniversary More powerful, dynamic and exquisitely styled: The new 911 Targa 4 GTS.

Good news for 911 fans: on the 50th anniversary of the 911 Targa, Porsche is offering the design classic as a GTS model for the first time. The concept of the Targa delivers very safe driving enjoyment with all-wheel drive and a rollover protection bar combined with the fresh air fun of a targa top that can be stowed fully automatically. Contributing to a boost in driving dynamics are the 430 hp (316 kW) GTS engine together with the standard Sport Chrono package, PASM chassis and 20-inch wheels that are one-half inch wider. The Targa 4 GTS reaches a top speed of over 300 km/h (186 mph), and with a PDK transmission it completes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds (0–60 mph in 4.1 seconds). Despite its additional 30 hp (22 kW) of power, its combined fuel consumption – which ranges from 9.2 to 10.0 l/100km, depending on the type of transmission – is exactly the same as for the 911 Targa 4S.

 

This most dynamic Targa can be made out as a GTS model at first glance – from any vie – wing perspective. The front view is defined by the sport design of the front end with an opening for the auxiliary middle radiator and by its smoked bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS). In a side view, the car’s characteristic GTS attributes are the silky gloss black 20-inch 911 Turbo S wheels with central locks, sport design door mirrors and “GTS” signatures on the doors. The “targa” logo on the silver rollover protection bar is also painted in silky gloss black. Black accents at the rear are the glossy trim on the special GTS air inlet screen and the model logo.

 

The Targa has been an established member of the 911 lineup since it made its debut back in 1965. Around one out of eight 911 cars ever sold was a Targa. The market share of the latest generation of this exquisitely styled 911 with its characteristic rollover protection bar is 13 percent – and growing. With the 911 Targa 4 GTS, Porsche is extending its lineup of the modern classic by adding a top model whose extensive package of standard features and price are appealing.

Drivetrain and chassis

More power, enhanced driving dynamics

A special property of the 911 Targa 4 GTS is its enhanced driving dynamics. Its engine, chassis and control systems were optimized with this goal in mind, without detracting from other key Targa characteristics such as safety and comfort. The power-boosted 3.8-liter flat engine is based on the Carrera S engine, and it primarily benefits from an optimized air induction system. Six additional resonance flaps and intake camshafts with a larger valve stroke together with specially machined intake channels ensure that more fresh air reaches the combustion chambers. During acceleration, the driver can summon the full torque – and thereby the full flexibility – of the base engine, and at full load the higher power of the GTS engine. Since the 911 Targa 4 GTS only weighs five kilograms more than the S model, despite its many more features, the weight-to-power ratio with the 430 hp engine was improved to 3.63 kg per hp.

Engine power is transferred to the drivetrain via a standard seven-speed manual transmission; an optional seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK transmission) is also available. Power distribution to the four wheels is handled by Porsche Traction Management (PTM) – an in – telligent all-wheel drive control system. The typical Porsche distribution, which predominantly drives the rear wheels, also guarantees that this latest 911 version will offer maxi mum driving dynamics on a wide variety of road surfaces and in all weather conditions. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) – a chassis system with continuously variable shock absorbers – rounds out the basic modules for excellent driving dynamics.

Control systems

The standard Sport Chrono package

The car’s dynamic GTS DNA is especially noticeable in the Sport Plus mode of the standard Sport Chrono package, which the driver can activate by pressing a button on the center console. This makes significant changes to an entire array of properties. The accelerator pedal is switched to a more direct response characteristic. With the standard manual trans – mission, a plus sign on the display of the shifting assistant asks the driver to shift to the next higher gear shortly before reaching maximum engine rpm. The timing of upshift re – commendations depend on the specific gear, and the shift points were selected for maximum possible acceleration. In conjunction with the optional PDK transmission, Launch Control impressively assists in acceleration from a standstill. The system also activates the “Race Course” PDK shifting strategy with the shortest possible shift times and optimal shift points for maximum acceleration and performance.

The damping characteristics of the PASM and dynamic engine mounts – which are also part of the standard Sport Chrono package – are switched to stiffer and sportier settings. Hard engine mounts significantly reduce lag in power impulses due to the mass inertia of the engine and minimize outward forces at the rear body, such as when driving through S curves.

This leads to more uniform and higher levels of drive power to the rear wheels with greater traction, and thus to better acceleration when exiting a curve. The rear differential lock augments this effect with modified switching thresholds. In the Targa with a manual transmission, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) utilizes a mechanical rear differential lock; in vehicles with PDK the even higher-performance PTV Plus is used, which features an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock. In both versions, the system improves agility and steering precision by specific brake interventions at the rear wheel on the inside of the curve.

The all-wheel drive PTM is preconditioned for faster reactions, and the PSM stability control system intervenes at a higher threshold to enable greater agility and driving dynamics. Finally, the sport exhaust system generates acoustic feedback. The specially tuned interplay of the engine and control of the exhaust flaps makes the 911 Targa 4 GTS sound even more passionate during shifting and in throttling and coastdown situations.

Options for even better driving dynamics

Options are available for enhancing the driving dynamics of the 911 Targa 4 GTS even more. Porsche offers the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) system as an option. PDCC is a system for active roll compensation; when driving through curves it detects the amount of lateral vehicle roll and nearly fully compensates for it right at its onset. Four actively ad – justable hydraulic cylinders, which are located on each of the suspension struts, are used for this purpose. The system enables enhanced agility over all speed ranges, and optimized turn-in and stable load transfer characteristics.

Features

Sophisticated interior with black Alcantara

GTS DNA also defines the interior of the 911 Targa 4 GTS. Integrated at the center of the instrument panel is the stopwatch of the Sport Chrono package. The four-way adjustable Sport Plus front seats – with their black GTS logos on the head restraints – provide additional lateral support and long-distance cruising comfort for the driver and passenger. The dominant interior material is black Alcantara. This high-quality material, which only weighs half as much as leather, is used for the center panels of the sport seats and as trim for the steering wheel rim, gear shift and parking brake levers, door handles and the covers and extensions of the door storage compartments. Also designed in sporty black are the dials in the instrument cluster which sport the GTS logo, the anodized aluminum trim strips and the roof liner. The standard aluminum door sill plates feature the “Targa 4 GTS” model name in black.

GTS-specific special features

Porsche offers the GTS interior package as a special option; it includes full leather upholstery, in which all decorative stitching and embroidering – including the Porsche logo – is either carmine red or rhodium silver. In addition, the dial of the tachometer is carmine red or rhodium silver. The borders of the safety belts are dyed in the same colour as well. The sport seats are upholstered in black leather, and their center panels are made of Alcantara as are the door trim panels and the lower instrument panel sections. The trim strips are made of carbon.

On the exterior, there is an alternative to bi-xenon headlights: an all-LED lighting system which can now be ordered with a smoked look. The model logo at the rear can be replaced by a black “911″ as an option.

Targa product lineup: modern classic cars

In introducing the new 911 Targa 4 GTS, Porsche is extending its range of exquisitely styled 911 versions to three models together with the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. They combine the classic targa idea with state-of-the-art roof convenience. Like the legendary original Targa, the current generation has the characteristic wide rollover protection bar instead of B-pillars, a movable roof section above the front seats and a wrap-around rear window without C-pillars. Unlike in the classic cars, the roof segment opens and closes at the press of a button. Here, the fully-automatic roof system stows the panel bow top out-of- sight behind the rear seats in a spectacular way. When the vehicle is parked, the roof can be opened or closed within around 19 seconds by pressing one of the control buttons on the center console.

 

TAGS

most viewed articles