Photo: CarPix
For the 991.2 mid-cycle update, the Porsche 911 Targa GTS will lose its 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. Boo and hiss, I know, but the German sports car has to go forward. What you lose in displacement and aural pleasure you gain in performance and efficiency, though, coming courtesy of a turbo motor.
Slated to debut before 2016 is out, the 2017 Porsche 911 Targa GTS will be outfitted with the 9A2 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer with at least 20 horsepower and 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) more than the atmospheric engine could churn out. With the PDK dual-clutch transmission and the Sport Chrono package, the gain in output should translate to a quicker run to 62 mph (100 km/h).
As far as styling is concerned, the 2017 Porsche 911 Targa GTS caught by our spy photographers boasts a different front bumper with GT3-inspired air intakes, two centrally-mounted exhaust pipes, and a more aggressive rear diffuser. A detail that intrigued us is that the Zuffenhausen machine offers a satin black Targa roll bar instead of the brushed aluminum bar of the pre-facelifted model, a first for the Targa since the 964 Targa from 1990. Better still, this test mule has a rear windscreen wiper, another first for the Targa.
The center-lock wheels appear to be lifted off the Turbo S, and if I’m not mistaken, they’ll be offered as an optional extra. All in all, the Carrera 4 widebody combined with the Targa touch and Turbo S wheels is a great recipe for specialness. Even in pre-production prototype form, the 991.2 Targa GTS feels like a really special Porsche. Hopefully, the sound will be a bit more satisfying than that of the Carrera and Carrera S.
For those who don’t need the added assurance of all-wheel-drive and the added comfort of the PDK transmission, a seven-speed manual and rear-wheel-drive are just what the doctor ordered. If, however, you can't get enough of the naturally aspirated rumble of yesteryear, the GT3 and R are the 911s for you.
As far as styling is concerned, the 2017 Porsche 911 Targa GTS caught by our spy photographers boasts a different front bumper with GT3-inspired air intakes, two centrally-mounted exhaust pipes, and a more aggressive rear diffuser. A detail that intrigued us is that the Zuffenhausen machine offers a satin black Targa roll bar instead of the brushed aluminum bar of the pre-facelifted model, a first for the Targa since the 964 Targa from 1990. Better still, this test mule has a rear windscreen wiper, another first for the Targa.
The center-lock wheels appear to be lifted off the Turbo S, and if I’m not mistaken, they’ll be offered as an optional extra. All in all, the Carrera 4 widebody combined with the Targa touch and Turbo S wheels is a great recipe for specialness. Even in pre-production prototype form, the 991.2 Targa GTS feels like a really special Porsche. Hopefully, the sound will be a bit more satisfying than that of the Carrera and Carrera S.
For those who don’t need the added assurance of all-wheel-drive and the added comfort of the PDK transmission, a seven-speed manual and rear-wheel-drive are just what the doctor ordered. If, however, you can't get enough of the naturally aspirated rumble of yesteryear, the GT3 and R are the 911s for you.
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