2018 Porsche 911 Targa

The Porsche Targa 4 is available in two trims: the 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S. The Targa 4S has a much more powerful engine that produces around 50HP more than the Targa 4.

Trims	911 Targa 4	911 Targa 4S
MSRP	$110,300	$124,300
Features	3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine producing 272 kW (370 hp) and 450 Nm	3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine producing 309 kW (420 hp) and 500 Nm
	19-inchCarrerawheels	20-inchCarreraS wheels
	Four-piston aluminum Monobloc fixed brake calipers in black front and rear	Six-piston aluminum Monobloc fixed brake calipers in red at front and four-piston units at rear
	PorscheActive Suspension Management (PASM)	PorscheActive Suspension Management (PASM)
		PorscheTorque Vectoring (PTV)

The Targa 4S costs around $14,000 more than the Targa 4. However, you have a much more powerful engine, larger brakes, 20-inch wheels and a few other Porsche’s technologies such as Porsche Torque Vectoring.

Despite a classic look, the Porsche 911 manages modern fuel-economy ratings. – Carconnection

The Targa 4 has a city mileage of 19 mpg and a highway mileage of 28 mpg. Considering the fact that this car is a 6 cylinder as opposed to its rivals, the 911 Targa offers the best mileage among its rivals. But this is a sports car, nobody buys a sports car overlooking mileage.

Model	Porsche 911 Targa 4	Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT Roadster	Audi R8 Spyder
MPG (city)	19	20	16	14
MPG (highway)	28	29	21	22
MPG (combined)	22	23	18	17

From the size of the engine, it is obvious that the R8 is the least fuel-efficient car and then comes the AMG-GT Roadster. But the engines on these cars produce a hell lot of power which makes it justifiable for the low mpg figures.

In most sports cars you feel like you’re sitting on the floor, looking up at the world. Not in the 911. In the Porsche you sit upright, in a very natural driving position, with excellent visibility in all directions. – Kelley Blue Book

The Targa 4 has a seating capacity of 4. The interior is the same as the one in the 911 Carreras with the familiar Infotainment system and control layouts.

Model	Porsche 911 Targa 4	Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT Roadster	Audi R8 Spyder
Passenger capacity	4	4	2	2
Passenger Volume (ft. cube)	70.0	N/A	86	50
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)   (In.)	N/A	N/A	39.5/55.6/45.2	38.5/55.1/40.9

In terms of cabin space, it is the AMG-GT Roadster that beats all others. It is comfortable and offers a lot of space on the interior. The Audi R8 & Carrera also offers sufficient cabin space. However, both the Merc and Audi are two-seaters. This is where the Targa and the Carrera scores as both of them are 4 seaters.

Seating and Comfort

The seats are comfortable and provide support even during performance driving. The seats are equipped with electric height, backrest and aft adjustment as standard.

The optional sports seats provide a much wider range of power adjustments. Sports seats plus are also available as an option. These seats are available in leather and also features 18 way electrically adjusting functions.

Infotainment System

The Targa 4 comes with 8 speaker audio system with a power of 150 watts. The system is integrated into the Porsche Communication Management System. There is an optional Bose Surround System or Burmester Surround System on offer.

The Bose Surround system comes with 10 speakers and a power output of 555 watts including a 100-watt active subwoofer. The Burmester Audio features 12 loudspeakers with a total power output of 821 watts. It also has a 300-watt subwoofer with a class D amplifier.

Interior Features

• Slide/Tilt Sunroof
• Climate Control
• Speed Limit Indicator
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Park Assist
• Sound Plus Package ( 8 Speakers )
• 10 Speaker Bose Surround Sound (Optional )
• 12 Speakers + 1 Active Subwoofer Burmester Surround (Optional )
• New Porsche Communication Management
• Connect Plus

Cargo volume

The Porsche Targa 4 has a cargo capacity of 4.4 cubic feet. This is a comparatively small boot.

Model	Porsche 911 Targa 4	Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT Roadster	Audi R8 Spyder
Volume (cube ft.)	4.4	5.1	10.1	8.0

The Targa has a very small boot compared to its rivals. The AMG-GT Roadster has the largest boot with a capacity of 10.1 cubic feet. The Audi R8 Spyder is just behind the AMG with a cargo space of 8 cubic feet.

Whereas the two earlier generations of Targas were little more than 911 Carreras with large glass sunroofs, the 991-series Targa nails the look and feel of the original—it sports a cloth top and the iconic targa bar and teardrop-shaped rear glass. – Motortrend

Dimension and Weight

The 911 Targa 4 weighs 3462 lbs. and has a ground clearance of 4.3 inches. The car is 177.1 inches long, 72.9 inches wide and has an overall height of 50.7 inches. A lot has been done to reduce the weight of the car. This includes the usage of an excessive amount of Aluminum, Steel, and Magnesium for the car.

Model	Porsche 911 Targa 4	Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet	Mercedes-Benz AMG-GT Roadster	Audi R8 Spyder
Curb weight(lbs.)	3462	3307	3682	3737
Length(in)	177.1	177.1	179.0	174.3
Width(in)	72.9	71.2	76.3	46.4
Height(in)	50.7	50.9	49.6	48.8
Ground clearance(in)	4.3	4.3	4.9	4.3
Wheelbase(in)	96.5	96.5	103.5	104.3
Track width(in) F/R	60.7/61.3	60.7/59.8	66.1/65.0	64.5/63.0

The 911 Carrera Cabriolet is the lightest car in the segment. With a curb weight of 3307 lbs., the Carrera is a 155 lbs. lighter than the Targa 4. The AMG-GT Roadster and Audi R8 Spyder are much heavier than the Targa 4 with weights of 3682 lbs. and 3737 lbs. respectively. The AMG-GT Roadster is the longest car in the segment with a length of 179.0 inches and has the highest ground clearance of 4.9 inches.

The 2018 Porsche 911 Targa 4 comes equipped with a lot of safety features. The car has airbags and Porsche Side Impact Protection. It has rollover protection and has Porsche Dynamic Light System. The car offers Carbon Composite brakes as an option for those who need a much shorter braking distance.

The car also has adaptive cruise control and lane change assist. The 911 Targa 4 has not been rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS yet.

Safety Features

• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Auto-Leveling Headlights
• Lane Departure Warning

Porsche Targa 4 vs Porsche Carrera Cabriolet

The Targa 4 and Carrera Cabriolet is from the same manufacturer and has the same engine on both. The $7000 less expensive Carrera is a RWD car whereas the Targa 4 is AWD. Both the cars have a seating capacity of 4 and both the cars are 911s.

Porsche Targa 4 vs Mercedes AMG-GT Roadster

The AMG-GT Roadster is available at the price of Targa 4S. The AMG is much more powerful, has a larger engine and offers more cabin space though it is a two-seater.

Porsche Targa 4 vs Audi R8 Spyder

The Targa 4 is nowhere near the Audi R8. The much expensive R8 beats the Targa 4 at almost everything from engine size, power, handling, cabin space and what not. The R8 Spyder is one hell of a car and the Targa 4 is nowhere near to be compared to that massive V10 beast.

The Targa 4 is a 911, it has the heritage and driving dynamics of a Porsche 911. It features an all-wheel drive and a more powerful motor on the Targa 4S variant. The car is fun to drive and has a lot of Porsche’s character to it.

Though the Targa 4S is priced as same as the AMG-GT Roadster, it is nowhere near to the performance that the modern cars like the AMG or R8 have to offer. So, if you want sheer performance, go for the AMG or R8. On the other hand, if you want a car that has 4 seats, has a heritage and is also good on road and track, then the 2018 911 Targa is the car for you.