Automotive Trends

      Porsche does model variants better than anybody so we’re not surprised to see the Targa body style return to the 911 lineup. We were a bit surprised to see just how they’ve decided to implement the stowable roof panel which lets the wind rustle your toupee. Compared to the last Targa which had the panel slide down parallel to the back glass this is a bit more complex. First a truly retro-style metallic-finish B-Pillar has returned and remains fixed, however, the entire rear hatch and curved glass articulates up allowing the roof panel over the front seats to detach and swivel down to stow under the rear hatch. It looks dauntingly complex but clearly the engineers figured it out because the whole thing disappears in about 25 seconds. The model will be available this summer starting at $101k but you’ll have to be ok with all wheel drive because every Targa will come thus equipped.

      Germany’s iconic sports car manufacturer chose to unveil the cabriolet edition of its newly released 911 in the most unexpected of venues. The state of Michigan has historically been such a small market for Porsche that they abstained from displaying a single car at the show for a couple of years. Combine that slim sales volume with a city that normally experiences single digit temperatures several months out of the year and the unveiling of a bright red Porsche 911 Cabriolet at Detroit’s Cobo hall is as unexpected as Detroit’s warm weather this week. Read more…