THE ALL-NEW 2002 996 Targa is the first Targa version of the 996-bodied 911 launched in 1997. Depending on the market the car is ready for the dealers from now to the beginning of the new year.

At the original Targa, first shown in 1965 as a concept car, the roof was totally removable and this basic idea followed the not-a-coupe and not-a-cabriolet Porsche for three centuries. But with the introduction of the 993 in the middle of the 90´s the Targa changed from a removable roof to the more practical, but not so characteristically glass roof; the same idea as today’s new model.

More than 1.5 square meters of solid glass gives the new Targa a fully transparent roof opening. By pressing a button the driver can move back the glass roof by up to half a meter, obtaining a maximum roof opening of 0.45 square meters. Like the windscreen the glass roof is made of pre-tensioned, splinter-free laminated security glass. Another automatic feature is the cloth sunblind extending out beneath the glass roof to protect the driver and passengers from driving a greenhouse..

First Drive article coming up:
At Autobahns and at mountain roads around Klagenfurt, Austria, we have all ready made the first ride and drive of the Targa back in town. Flemming Haslund is now at the keyboard of his computer doing the First Drive conclusions on the new Porsche.

Interested in the test report including video: Stay tuned!


FACTS
· Porsche 911 Targa
· Manual and Tiptronic S
· 2-wheel drive (no 4-wheel drive version)
· 6-cylinder boxer engine
· 3596 cc
· 325 bhp at 6800 rpm
· 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) at 4250 rpm

Performance
· 0-100 km/h: 5.2 sec. (5.7 sec. Tiptronic S)
· 0-200 km/h: 24.1 sec. (24.9 sec. Tiptronic S)
· Top speed: 285 km/h (280 km/h Tiptronic S)

Images

Porsche 911 Targa: 1) Wide open; 2) Good looking at 18 in wheels; 3) Practical as a hatchback; 4) Glass creates an open air feeling; 5) Same boxer engine as you will find in 911 Carrera Coupé and Cabriolet.