This is the new 8th-gen (992) Porsche 911 Targa, apparently, the official announcement was brought forward due to yet another disgruntled employee leaking details rather too early for Porsches’ liking. Nevertheless, the early reveal brings light to the darkness of lockdown. We say a big thank you to the disgruntled employee. Anyway, the Porsche Targa nameplate was first introduced in the 1960s-1970s. The 911 Targa is a semi-cabriolet tourer, the model is distinguished by a fixed T-bar. The top of the roof retracts back and slides under the glass canopy. This is where it gets a bit confusing, Targa is Italian for “plate”. Porsche borrowed the name from the Targa Florio event, an endurance race that ran from 1906-1977. 

Honestly, the 8th generation 992 coupe looks way better, personally speaking, I would always go for the fixed roof 911. Having said that, the new 911 Targa looks stunning. Yes, the 911 is a study in design evolution but the subtle changes exhibited on the 992 make it the best-looking 911 ever. That said, the 911 Targa is available in two specs, Targa 4 and Targa 4S.

Roughly translated that means 4-wheel and 4-wheel drive with a bit more fizz i.e. more power. Both variants use the same engine found in the 911 4 and 4S coupe, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder, twin-turbo boxer engine. The 911 Targa 4 delivers 380bhp and 450Nm of torque (331 lb-ft) and the Targa 4S delivers 444bhp and 530Nm of torque (391 lb-ft).

Whichever 911 Targa variant you go for, power is never on short supply. The Targa does the 0-62mph thing in 4.2 seconds, the Targa 4S in 3.6 seconds. The top speed is 179mph and 189mph respectively. Everything you find in a 911 4 and 4S is acquired by the Targa variants. Same interior/equipment and underlying mechanicals.

So you an 8-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. You also get torque vectoring active suspension, rear e-diff, and more besides. The 21inch rear tyres and 20inch front tyres shroud front and rear six-piston and 4-piston brakes. Carbon Ceramic brakes are optional, the upgrade costs around £5k GBP.

Pricing for the 8th-gen Porsche 911 Targa is yet to be announced. The current 7th generation 911 (991) Targa costs £98k in the UK, we expect prices to rise by around £5k.