2012 Porsche 911 Targa 4S and 911 Targa 4 Review

At the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in 1965, Porsche unveiled the first ‘safety cabriolet’ of its kind the Targa. Even then, it was clear that style and dynamics were not mutually exclusive from safety. They are part of the same cohesive whole, a particularly successful one in our opinion. What’s changed since then? Not much, at least as far as the principle is concerned, except perhaps that the Porsche 911 Targa models are now even more comfortable and exhilarating to drive than ever before. Closed or open? The electrically operated glass roof meets your expectations with millimetre precision. The unit is fully integrated into the bodywork, which ensures a high level of body rigidity and the distinctive 911 silhouette is faithfully preserved. The roofline is further accentuated by the continuous aluminium trim strip, which arcs from the A-pillar to the characteristically pointed rear side windows.

The all-wheel-drive technologies in the 2012 Porsche 911 Targa 4S unite traction and safety with agility and dynamic performance. To do this requires a formidable source of power. The 3.6-litre engine in the 911 Targa 4 generates 254 kW (345 hp) at 6,500 rpm, while the 3.8-litre variant in the S model produces 283 kW (385 hp) at the same rpm. The force is immediate. The 911 Targa 4 achieves 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, the 2012 911 Targa 4S in 4.9 seconds. The 911 Targa has captured some wonderful memories since 1965. Now it’s looking forward to creating some new ones with you.


A glass surround without a feeling of confinement. An open roof that still provides shelter. The glass roof of the 911 Targa 4 models gives you freedom of choice, whatever the speed. As soon
as you operate the switch in the centre console, the glass roof lowers and can be retracted to any position that you prefer. The automatically extending wind deflector reduces wind turbulence and noise, enabling you to keep the roof down on long journeys even in damp or cold conditions. The glass roof is made from tinted laminated safety glass. In conjunction with the electrically operated roll-up blind, dual protection against strong sunlight and cold temperatures is achieved.

The glass rear screen is hinged to make it easier to stow luggage in the rear compartment. The screen can be released either from inside the passenger compartment or by use of the key remote. An electric soft closing function facilitates closing. short, the 911 Targa 4 models unite dynamic performance with extraordinary functionality and a timeless design. For us, this is not a contradiction, but the result of a simple principle: Intelligent Performance.

Let us begin by describing the effect. The driving experience in the all-wheel-drive models is characterised by high performance and a direct response. The cause, on the other hand, can be attributed to a series of ingenious technical solutions. At the heart of it all is the engine. The all wheel-drive base models are equipped with a 3.6-litre horizontally opposed cylinder engine offering 254 kW (345 hp), while the 3.8-litre unit in the all-wheeldrive S models develops 283 kW (385 hp) and the uprated 3.8-litre variant in the 911 Targa 4 models produces an even more impressive 300 kW (408 hp). There is then the use of an intelligent lightweight construction and efficiencyenhancing technologies such as DFI and VarioCam Plus.

Direct fuel injection (DFI) is fitted as standard. With millisecond precision, DFI injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber by means of electromagnetically actuated injection valves. The spray and cone angles have been optimised for torque, power output, fuel consumption and emissions, thus ensuring homogeneous distribution of the air/fuel mixture and, consequently, efficient combustion. In the direct injection system, the EMS SDI 3.1 engine management system
adjusts the injection timing individually for each cylinder and the injection quantity for each cylinder bank. This optimises the combustion process and therefore fuel economy. A hot-film air mass meter takes care of the airflow, so that the combustion chambers contain exactly the right mixture at all times.

For faster heating of the catalytic converters after a cold start and for greater torque in the upper load range, dual injection is implemented at engine speeds of up to 3,200 rpm and triple injection up to 2,500 rpm. The required quantity of fuel is distributed to two or three successive injection processes per cycle. DFI improves the internal cooling of the combustion chamber by forming the mixture directly in the cylinder. This has made it possible to increase compression (12.5:1), resulting in more engine power and even greater efficiency. VarioCam Plus is a variable valve timing system on the inlet side which also features two-stage valve lift. This helps to deliver excellent smooth-running performance and comparatively low fuel consumption and emissions, as well as greater power and torque.

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