| Week at the wheel | Porsche 911 Targa 4 |
Inside & Out: 
The Targa, a niche 911 if there ever was one. In the seven days we had this 997 Targa in our possession I only saw one other - and it was a 993 model. I've always admired the Targa's lines, the way the sliding glass roof necessitates a slightly different side window profile - that shape highlighted by a neat chrome trim line - and the fact that the trick roof adds a useful hatchback to the mix. And it does look good; fantastic even. With the proliferation of 911s on our roads it's easy to ignore them, but the Targa's visual differences do stand out, ensuring more attention than in a standard Carrera.
The interior follows the rest of the 997 range updates that brings smarter materials and a touch-screen interface on the centre console. The Targa's hatchback really does add practicality, meaning you can drop big bags into the back seats (folded or not) from above easier than you can by squeezing them in through the doors and behind the seats. It's brighter in there too thanks to the glass roof, though it can get a bit squeaky, highlighting the Targa's 911 Cabriolet roots.
Engine & Transmission:
There's little to match the combination of a Porsche flat-six and a manual transmission. In this car it's the smaller 3.6-litre non-S model, which brings an ample 345bhp and 288lb.ft of torque. It's quick enough to have you wondering why you need to spend the extra money on the S, the 3.6-litre also feeling a touch more linear and revving more freely than the bigger capacity engine. The gearshift is as sweet as ever, the fitting of Porsche's Sports Shift short throw gear lever only quickening and sharpening the stick's action through the gate. Get it all right and the Targa will reach 62mph in 5.2 seconds and it can hit 176mph flat out.
Ride & Handling:
That the Targa feels much like its
Carrera 4 relative is no surprise. What is though is the slight shimmying that reveals itself on nasty road surfaces. Being based on the 911 Cabriolet shell it's not as torsionally rigid as its coupé siblings. That means all the glass and rubber rubs against itself resulting in some annoying squeaks and rattles from above your head. The steering is typically sharp and quick, though you never feel as inclined to push the Targa 4 as much as you might a coupé. The suspension, while firm, feels a bit more compliant, making the Targa a slightly more comfortable proposition than other 911s.
It's a car that feels and works better as a long-legged GT, assuming you can put up with the road noise that is. As with the rest of the 911 line-up tyre roar can become intrusive on concrete and rougher road surfaces.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
Specify the Targa 4 to the level that our test car was equipped and you'll need to add around £6,000 to the list price. A big portion of that is lost to the special metallic paint, but another chunk is taken up by the satnav and communication system. The additional £790 the surround Bose sound system costs is money wasted, as the stereo never sounded anything better than average at best, even if the iPod interface worked very well via the touch screen. The £5,000 premium the Targa commands over the standard Carrera 3.6 seems a lot, even if that rear hatchback adds some real versatility.
Overall:
Good looks and that useful hatchback aside the Targa 4 is one of our least favourite 911s. The driver in us would want a coupé, while if we were real sun worshippers then the Cabriolet would be a better choice - especially as sliding the glass panel open reduces the already limited room in the back and significantly lessens the view out the rear window. That it's only offered in four-wheel drive form is an issue for us too, not least because it means a heftier starting price point, but also a greater kerb weight. Not without appeal, but other 911s deliver more.
