Porsche’s Misunderstood Masterpiece: Why The Targa Beats The Purist’s Coupe

Porsche purists dismiss the 911 Targa as a lifestyle choice, but this hybrid-powered, open-top touring car is genuinely one of the best everyday drivers on the market. Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby explore why this rear-engined icon deserves to be taken seriously.

Car Review: Porsche 911 Targa GTS

Jeremy: Diehard Porsche fans bemoan the 911 Targa because it’s not as agile or sharp as the standard Coupe. With the extra weight of a sliding glass roof mechanism and all-wheel drive, it’s often dismissed as a lifestyle choice.

Despite a thrilling 3.6-litre hybrid engine, stonking performance and distinctive 911 looks, the Targa apparently isn’t for purists. The sliding glass roof only works when the car is stationary and it’s even noisier than the soft-top 911 Cabriolet.

No matter. As far as I’m concerned, the rear-engined Targa is one of the best, open-top touring cars on the market. With prices starting at around £154,000, it’s not cheap, but for sheer usability on a daily basis, this Porsche would be my choice every time.

Available in GTS trim only, the latest version is equipped with Porsche’s latest, curved digital driver’s display, a fresh bumper design and some new colours and trim. Mated to a small battery pack, the turbocharged powertrain packs a mighty punch yet remains relaxing to live with in city traffic.

There’s also a huge luggage area under the bonnet, plus space behind the front seats for overflow baggage, making the Targa perfectly suited to long-distance touring. In fact, if you want the experience of a 911 with some extra sky, it really should be your go-to model.

Where to drive a car with its head in the clouds? Pan Treetop Cabins are an award-winning design concept in Scandinavia. A private nature hideaway in the Finnskogen forest region of east Norway, this unique set of three A-frame structures is about as close to the sky as you can reach.

This is nothing like a treehouse you might have built with your father as a child. The futuristic cabins are some eight metres about the ground, supported on narrow metal stilts and reached by an equally impressive, outdoor spiral staircase. While opening the roof on the Targa lets the sunshine in, opening a window in a Pan structure puts you at treetop height, with magnificent views across the forest to the distant valley.

With large gable ends cut from glass, the floorspace covers 40 square metres and can accommodate six people at a squeeze – a family of four would likely be cosy enough. The main bedroom fits in the apex of the roof; a kitchen and sitting room – complete with woodburner – complete the package.

Hidden away in a vast pine forest, Pan was created by Kristian Rostad and Christine Mowinckel. Guests can book an open-air hot tub, or you can stretch out, literally, on a yoga platform beneath the swaying pines. Mountain bikes are available, while Christine can organise a smorgasbord of activities, from sleigh rides to lectures on local culture. We chose a canoe tour and paddle with beavers and salmon.

Jessica: A luxury, open-top car deserves a luxurious, sky-high property. Two hours from Oslo, these gorgeous designer cabins take you back to nature and lift spirits towards the heavens. The two complement each other perfectly – although even an all-wheel Porsche might struggle with the winding forest track to Pan in the winter months.

Finnskogen, or ‘forest of the Finns’, is very close to the Norwegian border with Finland. It’s also a great place to see the Northern Lights in the winter months.

Discover more about the Porsche 911 Targa at Porsche.com.