Those of y’all who follow Leith Porsche on Facebook likely saw their photo a few weeks ago of one of the new Porsche 911 Targas. It was one of their most-liked photos on Facebook this year for a simple reason: Targas are awesome.
The curved glass of the Targa’s rear window is becoming popular in consumer electronics these days: new high-resolution OLEV and LED televisions offer curved glass screens to match the eye’s natural curvature and thereby improve the viewing experience. Smartphone makers are said to be exploring curved screens, as well, although we’re not sure of the reasoning there.
Whatever the reason, Porsche’s new Targa drew gasps of wonder when unveiled this year at the North American International Auto Show. For the first time ever, Porsche has engineered a one-button mechanized operation of the glass top. Metal arms raise the glass roof off the car’s body like an offering to the sky. The Targa top above the driver and passenger retracts backward into the car’s body. The suspended glass is then lowered into place, the entire process so ostentatiously and efficiently executed that you can scarce believe it only took 19 seconds to operate.
The result is a Porsche with inimitable appeal. Porsches already draw enough looks on the street, but we haven’t seen a Porsche on the road with a glass top in several years. Although the first Targas date back to the 1960s, this particular iteration draws on sensibilities that remind us of 1980s automotive design. The new Targas use all-wheel drive exclusively, possibly because the added weight of the glass introduces a rear-weight bias. This will prove a boon to drivers and justifies the price tag.
We look forward to seeing a review from Leith Porsche soon, although finding one that hasn’t been sold will likely be an issue! In the meantime, as a vehicle that’s currently in the showroom, we highly recommend you swing by to check it out for yourself.