Premium cars are all about exclusivity and Porsche appears to understand that. How many versions of the 911 can they offer? It seems the German manufacturer knows no limitations and has introduced the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS. For the uninitiated, this is Porsche’s iconic 911 with a retractable roof panel (Targa), all wheel drive (4), and a host of track-oriented features (GTS). The retractable targa roof allows for rollover protection not offered in a conventional convertible and is automatically stowed. It additionally maintains the 911’s silhouette, just as the oringal 911 Targa did back in 1965. Power output is 430 hp. which provides the 911 sufficient thrust to reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and eventually top 186 mph. Porsche boasts that the GTS is no less fuel efficient that the ‘standard’ 911 Targa 4 S. Other features of the GTS include a stopwatch integrated to the instrument panel, four-way adjustable Sport Plus seats, and lightweight Alcantara seat coverings. All of this comes at a price premium of $132,800 which probably means any buyer can have the satisfaction of having the only one in their neighborhood.
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.
The Porsche Boxster has been a sensation since 1997 thanks to a winning formula of mid-engine handling prowess, boxer engine smoothness and timeless good looks. The lowest MSRP among Porsche’s offerings also didn’t hurt. The third generation 2013 model looks to continue all of that while comprehensively altering just about everything. Read more…
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…
Porsche is one of the enduring leaders in motorsports and the German sports-car manufacturer chose to return to this year’s Detroit Auto Show, its first appearance in four years, to debut its most advanced racer yet. Read more…
Who says money can’t buy happiness?
When you’re behind the wheel of a Porsche Boxster, happiness costs about two bucks a gallon. Read more…
I love old Porsches for a couple of reasons.
One, they’re the only Porsches I’ll ever be able to afford without winning the Powerball. And two, they’re so wonderfully raw and mechanically sensual that they feel alive — like a steel extension of your own body. They represent the epitome of what a sports car should be.
Read more…
