Porsche 911 Targa 4

The Age

Saturday August 2, 2008

Ian Porter

PORSCHE is setting a cracking pace with the introduction of its 911 range, releasing a new model almost every month in what the company says are the fastest updates its had for the worlds most recognisable sports car.

First was the Carrera and

Carrera S in coupe and cabriolet forms, then three weeks later came the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Carreras. This time its the Targa, which comes as the Targa 4 with the new 3.6-litre flat six and as the Targa 4S with the new 3.8-litre engine.

Both have a revised AWD system with a new electronically controlled clutch, not the old viscous unit, to apportion power and traction in exactly the right share between the front and rear wheels. Before it gets there, of course, the torque has to pass through Porsches new seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, which replaces the old Tiptronic torque converter. Or you can choose a six-speed manual.

As with the other models, the Targa range delivers more power and less pollution. The 3.6 has 6% more power and the 3.8 an extra 8%.

But fuel consumption is down by at least 11.2% and emissions by 13.6%. -- IAN PORTER

© 2008 The Age

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