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Porsche 911 Targa

It's the unthinkable, but it's happened. Porsche has turned the 911 into a hatchback! Well, not quite like your average Focus or Vectra... but one of the features of the new 911 Targa is a rear-opening glass panel. And in keeping with the radical theme, there's also a full-length glass roof, too.

March 2002

It's the unthinkable, but it's happened. Porsche has turned the 911 into a hatchback! Well, not quite like your average Focus or Vectra... but one of the features of the new 911 Targa is a rear-opening glass panel. And in keeping with the radical theme, there's also a full-length glass roof, too.

This is the second-generation Targa and completes the new-look 911 line-up first driven in Issue 661. Porsche has re-invented its Targa top to go with the revised styling and more powerful engine. The last car was based on the cabrio, but to give this one more rigidity it has been derived from the coupe. Just as well, given the 320bhp on tap from the 3.6-litre flat-six engine.

From the outside, the slightly higher roofline isn't as noticeable as the new rear windows which now finish at a sharp angle rather than a curve. But the major changes are the 1.54-square metre glass top and a bodyshell that is new above the waistline. A steel bar now runs between the A-pillar and the C-pillar to improve torsional stiffness.

The strut makes the car 70kg heavier than the standard 1,345kg coupe, but that's a negligible price to pay for such a masterpiece. Pressing a button has the roof whirring back 50cm in near silence. The resulting open space feels huge, but clever airflow control means your hair stays in place. Neither do you suffer the cabrio drawbacks of poor refinement and visibility.

But even with the lid closed, people can see into the bright, airy cockpit from every direction. To combat this - and sunburn on balding heads - an electric sunblind unfurls from the rear rollbar. However, most buyers will be more interested to note the whole roof can be opened and closed from the keyfob. This also contains a remote release for the hatch, which provides 230 litres of luggage space in addition to the 130 under the bonnet.

On the road, the 911 remains the consummate sports car. Turn-in is positive, steering meaty and rough roads reveal no trace of the body shake which afflicts the cabriolet. The only downside is more wind noise on the motorway and restricted rear visibility when the roof is open. And there's the price - the Targa will cost

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