Porsche 911 Targa - Road Test - European Car

Porsche's new 911 Targa is completely different from previous Targas, but it emerges from the same idea. From the outset of 911 development-you know, during the Kennedy administration-Porsche undertook the task of developing an open-roof version, one that would maintain a hardtop's roll-over and weather protection. At the 1965 Frankfurt Auto Show, the company showed its solution: the original Targa. This compelling model went into production in '67.

With its permanently fixed rollbar and removable hard-panel top, the Targa became a design classic. More importantly, it has also inspired imitators (Chevrolet Corvette, Honda del Sol, Acura NSX-T, Ferrari 308GTSi) and its own replacement: the '83 911 Cabriolet, whose body was based on the Targa but with a fully retractable fabric top. The original Targa design remained in production through the end of '93, long after the Cabrio had eclipsed it as the most popular open 911.

The new Targa is Porsche's mid-'90s answer to the same challenge it set for itself in the early '60s: develop an open-roof 911 that maintains the hardtop's roll-over and weather protection. Applying three decades of improvements in electronics, glass making, and structural engineering, the result isn't just an updated Targa, but a whole new creature.

This is one trick roof. Connected with steel pillars to a 911 Carrera Cabriolet's body shell, its general appearance mimics the lines of the hard-top 911. In fact, the rear quarter windows, backlight, and giant glass lid are all new and built for Porsche by sunroof maker Webasto.

The magic is triggered by one toggle of a rocker switch on the center console, prompting retraction of a soft vinyl sunshade into its burrow in the windshield header. A second rocker switch in the familiar 911 cockpit activates the servomotor, which pivots a short glass wind-deflection panel at the windshield header skyward for ventilation. Another push on that second switch sends the big tinted glass panel-which comprises most of the roof-sliding back beneath the fixed rear window to whatever partially or fully open position the driver desires.

With the roof fully retracted, there's almost no wind buffeting and the driver's rearward vision passes through two pieces of glass. It's all so entertaining that NBC could cancel "Friends," replace it with a continuous-loop tape of the Targa's top opening and closing, and likely pick up three ratings points. Plus, the world would be a better place.

As nifty as the roof is, it isn't perfect. Closed, there's more wind noise than one gets with the steel-roof coupe. When it's open, the reflections in the layered rear window can be wacky, particularly at night. The eerie light show becomes especially disconcerting when traveling under street lamps, but it's likely only on warm summer nights that you'll have the top back. On cold, clear nights, the fishbowl view of the stars through the closed roof is breathtaking and unattainable in any other car. And on a rainy day, the aquarium effect is mesmerizing.

Like every 911, roof or no roof, the Targa's structure is impeccably finished and at least as solid as any other production car's. Put a 911 up on a service rack, and it's apparent where that strength originates. The entire structure of the tiny car consists of rigid box sections and perfect welds. What makes a car that's fully 20 inches shorter than an Olds Achieva worth $70,000? How it's built.

The Targa's tiny exterior size means a tiny interior. Although dubbed 2+2, there's essentially no rear seat in any 911. Factor in the restricted shoulder room and the narrow German seats, and it's a tight fit for anyone with a wide American hiney. Surprisingly, however, the 911 is still comfortable enough to drive every day, and the doors are mounted high enough that they don't whack most curbs when they're opened. Compared to many other sports cars, the 911 Targa is a paragon of everyday useability.