Porker is all glass

Okay, so you want an open-topped Porsche, but don't fancy the compromises (ie less security and a loss of structural rigidity) that come with a ragtop. Then this is the car for you.

The new 911 Targa is based on the Carrera 4/Carrera 4S, which means it comes standard with all-wheel-drive hardware, as well as the 44mm wider body that's part of the package in the all-paw models.

But obviously the key selling point of the Targa 4 and Targa 4S is the panoramic glass roof that can be opened to yield an aperture up to half a metre in length. The exercise takes just seven seconds, and what's more, it can be achieved at any speed.

There's no fiddling around with latches or levers as activating a rocker switch next to the handbrake lever ensures two electric motors do the needful.

The roof panel is constructed of two-ply specially tinted glass, which Porsche claims is 1.9kg lighter than the lid of its predecessor. Furthermore, a new sealing system is said to keep wind noise at a minimum.

A wind deflector minimises turbulence inside the vehicle, allowing open-roofed cruising even when the outside temperature is frigid as a mother in-law's kiss. With the roof closed, a semi-translucent black cloth roller sunblind provides shade in hot weather.

The upward-tilting glass tailgate is supported by gas struts, which makes it easy to load the luggage area, says Porsche. Load space measures 230 litres with the rear seats folded.

The Targa 4 is powered by the familiar 239kW 3.6-litre flat-six from the Carrera and Carrera 4, enabling it to bolt to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds and achieve a top whack of just under 280km/h.

The bigger-biceped S variant scores the Carrera S’s 261kW 3.8-litre engine, which means it requires just 4.9 seconds to clock up 100km/h, and its top speed is also a couple of kays quicker than the entry-level Targa.

As per their siblings, the Targa models can be had with a six-speed manual gearbox or optional five-speed Tiptronic, which offers sequential shift capability via steering wheel-mounted buttons.

The AWD system channels between five and 40 per cent of power to the front wheels, which boosts traction in wet or slippery conditions compared with rear-drive 911s.

The Targa 4 and Targa 4S are expected here towards the end of the year, priced marginally above their Cabriolet equivalents.