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Porsche 911 Targa 2020

Presented on May 18, 2020, the Type 992 Porsche 911 Targa brought back the Targa roof concept with a fully automated mechanism. The launch range consisted of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S, both powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six and equipped with all-wheel drive. The Targa 4 produces 379 horsepower, while the Targa 4S develops 443 horsepower. Its fixed central roll bar, wraparound rear glass and retractable fabric roof give it a distinct identity between the 911 coupe and Cabriolet. The roof panel folds behind the rear seats, preserving the characteristic Targa profile while providing open-air driving. In the United States, the car unveiled in 2020 was announced as a 2021 model-year vehicle.

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History

The Targa name dates back to the Porsche 911 introduced during the mid-1960s. Its original formula combined a removable roof section, a safety roll bar and a wraparound rear window. Porsche initially positioned it between a coupe and a convertible, but the concept soon became a distinct 911 body style. The 993, 996 and 997 generations later used electrically operated glass roofs and moved away from the prominent external bar associated with the earliest Targas. Porsche returned to the classic bar with the 991 Targa, introduced in 2014, while also adding an automated system that could store the roof panel behind the rear seats. Unveiled on May 18, 2020, the Type 992 Targa carried that layout into the eighth-generation 911 family. It therefore preserved the original Targa balance between open-air driving and coupe-like refinement, while using a more sophisticated roof mechanism and the design language of the new 992.

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Anecdotes

The Type 992 Targa was launched in unusual circumstances: Porsche revealed it digitally on May 18, 2020, at a time when international automotive events were heavily disrupted. The name “Targa” refers to the Targa Florio, the famous Sicilian road race. On the 992, the roof can open or close automatically in roughly 19 seconds, according to Car and Driver’s road test. The central bar is finished in silver as standard, while a black finish was available as an option.

Production

The 2020 Type 992 911 Targa was not presented by Porsche as a limited-production series. Its launch covered two regular variants, the Targa 4 and Targa 4S, positioned alongside the coupe and Cabriolet in the new 911 family. The official material reviewed describes the powertrains, roof system and equipment but does not provide a dedicated production total for either Targa version. A specific build figure should therefore not be assigned without a separate factory or statistical source. In the United States, Porsche announced that the car would reach dealers near the end of 2020 as a 2021 model-year vehicle.

Press reception

Early road tests generally focused on the 911 Targa’s unusual compromise. Car and Driver highlighted the visual appeal and theatrical operation of the retractable roof, while also noting greater weight and less structural stiffness than a coupe. Auto Express praised the Targa 4S for its ride comfort, precise steering and versatility, particularly with the roof closed. Reviewers also pointed out that the Targa is not intended to replace the coupe on a track or the Cabriolet for completely open-air driving. Its appeal lies instead in combining everyday refinement, high performance and a distinctive partial-open roof experience.

Evolution

Compared with the 991 Targa, the Type 992 retains the central bar and wraparound rear glass but refines the roof system. Two magnesium elements keep the fabric panel taut, while the upper structure folds electrically behind the rear seats. The Targa 4 gained nine horsepower over its predecessor, reaching 379 horsepower. Its body follows the broader proportions and detailing of the 992 generation, including more pronounced front wheel arches and a full-width rear light strip. The Targa 4S adds larger wheels, wider tires and more substantial brakes. Both versions also benefit from standard Porsche Active Suspension Management and the wet-weather driving mode introduced across the contemporary 911 range.

Variants

The Porsche 911 Targa introduced in 2020 was offered in two initial forms: Targa 4 and Targa 4S. The Targa 4 uses the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged boxer engine in its 379-horsepower specification and comes with an eight-speed PDK transmission. The Targa 4S raises output to 443 horsepower and could be ordered with either the PDK or a seven-speed manual gearbox. The manual version included the Sport Chrono package as standard. Both variants use Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive. The 4S also receives larger hardware, including 20-inch front wheels, 21-inch rear wheels and red brake calipers. The Targa 4 uses smaller standard wheel and tire dimensions and a less powerful brake configuration.

References

Understanding the name

At Porsche, each part of the name carries information: family, power level, energy. Several of those rules changed along the way.

Decode a Porsche name