Porsche 911 prototype caught sporting real Targa roof
Posted Jun 6th 2012 3:00PM
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No, that's not a Type 991 Porsche 911 Cabriolet – look closely and you'll see the first true Targa since the model variant disappeared from the Porsche 911 line in 1995. Oh yes, we know Porsche has been selling one in the interim, but to purists, the giant sunroof models of the past 17 years have been Targas in name only.
While we don't exactly know how Porsche plans to package this blast from the past, it's pretty clear from the spy photos that this car has a top with a removable center section that leaves the B-pillar intact. While the convertible disguise doesn't allow us to discern much more, could it be too much to hope that the rear window is also removable?
The other big question is whether this new true Targa will be available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive, or continue the recent Porsche practice of being offered only in the latter configuration.
Speaking of which, our spy shooters have also captured the soon-to-be-introduced 2013 911 Carrera 4 and 4S. You can see from the widebody rear haunches that these are the all-wheel drive 911 models, and the reflective strip that connects the rear taillights of the 4 and 4S is merely covered with tape. While Porsche has yet to officially announce these cars that everyone knows are coming, fuel economy numbers are already posted on the U.S. government's website.
The automatic 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is EPA-rated at 11.8L/100km (20 mpg) city, 8.4L/100km (28 mpg) highway, and 10.2L/100km (23 mpg) combined. Opting for the heavier Cabriolet model will reduce your fuel economy to 11.8L/8.7L (20/27 mpg) and 10.7L/100km (22 mpg) combined. Seven-speed manual versions lose a single digit from each number in both coupe and convertible trims. The Carrera 4S automatic is rated at 12.4L/9L (19/26 mpg), and 10.7L/100km (22 mpg) combined, while the manual is at 13L/9L (18/26 mpg) and 11.2L/100km (21 mpg) combined. The convertible 4S with an automatic is still at 12.4L/9L (19/26 mpg), but drops to 11.2L/100km (21 mpg) combined, while the manual convertible fuel economy is unchanged from the coupe.
Expect to see more official news on the Carrera 4 and 4S very soon, and we'd expect Porsche to make a big stink about the Targa model at one of next season's big auto shows.
Click here to check out all the high-res spy shots of the Targa prototype in this gallery.
Related GalleryPorsche Targa Spy Shots
