[suhaas307]

The original 911 Targa was arguably one of the most desirable cars that one could own. It was the perfect blend of open-top motoring and closed-coupe driving. A car that could give you the best of both worlds. It was quite the package..

But it all came crashing down for many a Porsche enthusiast when the 993 (in the mid '90s) came with an all new designed-from-scratch Targa. It had an electrically operated glass roof that seemed like the way forward at that time. But it was a far cry from the achingly beautiful lines of a real Targa.





Porsche stuck to this philosophy for quite some time. The 993, the 996 and the 997 model Targas all had the electric glass-roof.

Until now.



The new 991 type 911 Targa harks back to the original Targa. Complete with roll-bar/hoop, canvas-top (with a hard-top available for winter and less than perfect weather conditions) and of course, the rear windscreen dome in complete glass.

Expect the new Targa to come only with AWD, as the way they've been produced over the years. But that said, you could just expect a surprise from Porsche and we may get to see a 2WD Targa too. You'd never know.







The camouflage is frankly brilliant, and can easily fool the untrained eye. Especially if the car just breezes past you.

If you look closely, you can spot the roll-bar/hoop under the camouflage. You can even see a little reflective strip between the rear-lights and below the retractable spoiler, which indicates that it could be a '4' variant. You can also see the windscreen-wiper mounting on the back. These are all little indicators of what might lurk underneath all that camouflage.

EDIT: Added pictures from 2013 Porsche 911 Targa Prototype Spy Shots

















If you look even closer, you'd notice the slightly wider rear haunches, indicating that the rear-wheels and tyres would be wider and thus, being the four-wheel-drive '4' model.



Here is a rendering of what the 991 Targa could look like.

Looks like Porsche took a leaf from Ruf's book.

NOTE: Now although there is a separate thread on 911s, this new Targa probably warrants a separate thread for itself. This is BIG BIG news. Because Porsche, further they might seem to be moving from their roots, the closer they are getting to them.

Source: Porsche 911 prototype caught sporting real Targa roof

For other pictures: Google image search.

[suhaas307]

The new generation 991 type 911 Targa has been caught topless!














What to expect:

- Glass dome that replaces the rear-windscreen and rear section of the cabin / cockpit + retractable roof-section.

- Engines carried over from the 911 Carrera and Carrera S variants. (3.4 / 3.8 DI flat-6)

- All-Wheel-Drive standard on both, the base Targa and Targa S variants.

- 7-speed manual transmission / 7-speed PDK with paddles (optional extra)

- Priced roughly $10,000 more than the Carrera models.

- Early 2013 Debut - just in time for summer!

Source.

[AyAn!]

Nice post Suhaas. These new design elements, especially the inclusion of the roll-bar/hoop is sure to the give the Targa its own distinct identity that it very much deserves. Now expect it to stand out from the 911 line-up for the right reasons, for a change.Trust Porsche to always pick a leaf from the past. And I simply love the way the Targa rear has evolved with time. The cohesion of that trademark reflective strip with the tail-lamps has always been perfect. Rest assured this will be an interesting Targa. I'm already in love!

[suhaas307]

Our friends at TeamSpeed have managed to catch the new Targa at rather close quarters. Here are some fresh snaps of the most anticipated variant of the 991 caught testing at the 'ring recently.

Source

[suhaas307]

*UPDATE*

There have been recent developments w/r/t the new Targa:

• The car will feature a very trick automatic-roof. However, the actual mechanism hasn't been revealed yet. Based on speculation, the roof will apparently fold back and stow away into the glass-dome area. (Expect rear-seat space to be compromised even further.)

• Looks like the 991 Targa will debut only in 2014 (Summer, possibly @ the Detroit Motor Show). Porsche seemed to have their hands full with the Turbo and 918 Spyder unveiling this quarter.

Source: Jalopnik

[suhaas307]

While scouring the web for IP/patent-related work, I stumbled upon this page that illustrates the new Targa's electric roof-mechanism.

https://www.google.com/patents/US845...ed=0CDcQ6AEwAA

Definitely an interesting read.

[speedy]

Porsche has spoilt it here. I personally feel the rendering which takes the car as close to the original targa of the 70's far superior looking. I being a big fan of the 70's 911 would love to see the same design principal in the 2000's. Dissapointed with the looks of the new targa.

[AyAn!]

A few patent drawings have reportedly revealed the all new 991 Targa in all it's retro themed glory. Harking back to the original Targas, the new car gets a thick roll bar/hoop and a huge wraparound glass section at the rear which decidedly looks straight from the 60s. Sheltering the passengers will be a removable roof section that does justice to the Targa theme.

The model shown here could very well be a Targa 4/4S, judging by the reflective strip running across the rear.

Carscoops via Automoto.fr

[karan561]

Spied again;







Drivers pissed off by the cameras



Image Source

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by AyAn!

The model shown here could very well be a Targa 4/4S, judging by the reflective strip running across the rear.

]

I believe the Targa will be available only in '4' / '4S' guise. Porsche will not offer a 2WD Targa.

[karan561]

Targa is back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq-jqvTGrVM

[karan561]

Leaked pic;



^ Image Source

This could be it

[AyAn!]

Originally Posted by karan561

This could be it

Nope,this is a render. Check out the roll bar/hoop in the patent drawings below. It's noticeably wider and has three distinct slats, just like on the original Targas.

[AyAn!]

Official photographs courtesy Autogespot.

[suhaas307]

What's the word on the roof mechanism? We've always had a fair idea of what the Targa would eventually look like, but I'm more interested in the foldable roof and its operation