I would like to review the 992 Targa 4GTS, which I happened to test drive during the recent Kyushu touring.

992 Targa 4GTS

The Porsche 992 Targa 4GTS is unique among GTS models.

The reason for this is different from other GTS,This is because the PASM sport suspension is not standard, only the regular PASM suspension is available.This is related to the fact that the Targa model has a Targa-specific suspension due to the heavy weight of the Targa roof.

This Targa 4GTS has an Agate Gray exterior color and Bordeaux Red interior. This is very cool,In particular, it is the rear Exclusive Design taillight, with clear lenses.is great. I think the 992 is a 911 that looks especially good with clear tail lenses.

Since the test car is a GTS, the engine is even more powerful than the S. It produces 480 PS of power, maximum output at 6,500 rpm, maximum rpm at 7,500 rpm, maximum torque at 570 Nm, and torque at 2,300 - 5,000 rpm, which is the same torque characteristic as the S.

The difference between the Carrera GTS and the Targa 4GTS is 170 kg. We started our test drive with this in mind.

Test Ride Impressions

Driving performance and feeling

When the engine is started, the starting sound is not so different from that of the Targa 4 or Carrera, and when the PDK shift lever is set to D range and the car is driven in normal mode, the feeling is similar to that of the base model Targa 4 or Carrera Cabriolet. Again, there is no sensory difference.

The suspension is similar to that of the Carrera Cabriolet, and like the regular 992, it is moderately stiff and has a slight knack to it. This could just be my imagination, though,A little stiffer than the Targa 4 I drove before.received.

While picking up the pace on the winding section of the Ibusuki Skyline, I rounded a curve,The head entry is a little milder in 911.It does not have the feel of an agile, gun-turning car, but of course it is fast.

Having driven my own Boxster GTS (981) just before I got into this car, I must admit that I sometimes felt the weight of the Targa, especially the high center of gravity. Compared to the Carrera Cabriolet, it is still a bit mildly nimble. However, it is strange that such a feeling gradually disappears as one continues driving.

As usual, the Targa is characterized by a high degree of stability, especially in the pitch direction, with little sway. This is because the Targa model is a 4WD, and it moves similarly to my Carrera 4GTS.The car turns aggressively with a firm grip on the road surface. The shaking during this process is minimal, and the behavior is clearly different from that of the RR.

When the engine was turned to Sport mode, it was fast enough at 4000 rpm, and the uphill curves of the Ibusuki Skyline were smooth and smooth. The car accelerates rapidly in higher and higher gears, but if you want to enjoy revving the engine, you must consciously control the engine.

High RPM in manual mode

Change to manual mode and try higher engine revs.

Put the car in manual mode and test the engine's high revs. When I step into a lower gear, it is indeed the GTS. This is where the difference from the Carrera's engine lies.RPM extension is sharp as the rpm reaches higher and higher.Moreover, the sound is good. The owner also said that it sounds like a GT3, which is exactly right, and you can enjoy a very racy sound and rev feeling. This is the true essence of the GTS.

Braking performance

One of the major differences I noticed when riding the GTS was the difference in the brakes. The brakes are different, not only in their effectiveness, but also in the way they feel.

It was very rigid,That is the feeling similar to GT3 brakes and PCCB.They are very controllable and can be stepped on with ease. When I looked at the brakes later, they are very huge, 408mm (front) and 380mm (rear), even though they are not PCCBs. They are bigger than the Carrera S, which has 350 mm front and rear. This is a brake that only the GTS is allowed to have, as it is not available as an option on the S.

Drivability at low speeds

Finally, I tested the drivability at low speeds, lightly accelerating at around 2000 rpm and 30-40 km/h, to test the engine response,It still lacks a bit of the responsiveness of the base Carrera, which has extremely little turbo lag.The Carrera's torque characteristic is maximum torque at 1,950 - 5,000 rpm, and because of the smaller diameter turbine, the Carrera is much more body forward at lower speeds. There seems to be a difference even between the GTS and the Carrera.

However, I wondered if it was an improvement over the S. I got the impression that there was less turbo lag than in the S, or more accurately, that the torque output was more gradual than in the S. This is probably true, as Mr. Takuro, who also test drove the S, also said. This was also mentioned by Mr. Takuro, who also test-drove the car, so it is probably true.

Summary of the 992 Targa 4GTS

The Targa 4GTS is a 911 that can be driven with a sense of stability and all-around performance, either at high speeds or in the city with elegance while enjoying its design.

The engine, handling, and braking performance are all perfectly balanced,We feel that Porsche has set its sights firmly on this all-around character.

The test drive at Ibusuki Skyline, the perfect setting, was the perfect opportunity to see what the Targa 4GTS is capable of. Its stability, power, and the fact that each grade of the car has been differentiated and tuned well, gave us a renewed sense of the meticulousness of Porsche's work.

The Targa 4GTS is a very rare car, with even fewer units produced than the GT series, so it is very difficult to obtain, but if you are attracted to this elegant and versatile 911, it is a car you should do whatever it takes to get your hands on.