Spied: 2014 Porsche 911 Targa

The Porsche 911 Targa always provided a great way for Porsche buyers to enjoy the open air motoring experience of a convertible without losing the iconic 911 profile. These targa-topped Porsches once featured removable roof panels that allowed owners to enjoy the great outdoors, instead of using what some might describe as an oversized sunroof. The 2014 Porsche 911 Targa we snapped here appears to ditch the sunroof and return to Porsche’s traditional targa roots.

At first glance, this Porsche we spied looks like a normal 911 Carrera Cabriolet. That’s what our photographer thought too, until he realized it wasn’t a soft top he was seeing, but some very clever camouflage. A closer look reveals a Targa-style roll hoop, and a distinctive glass hatch that harkens back to 911 Targas of the 930 and 964 eras. We suspect the center section is made from aluminum or a lightweight and durable see-through polycarbonate. It doesn’t look like the center section would be storable in the car, so drivers would be advised to check the weather before leaving home – or have a Cayenne chase car carrying your roof. We wouldn’t be surprised if a stowable soft top was an available option.

The 997-era Targa was only available with all-wheel drive, but it’s not clear whether the same will be the case when the 991 Targa debuts. The 2014 911 Targa will likely be powered by the Carrera’s 3.4-liter 350-hp and 287 lb-ft F-6, while a higher-spec 911 Targa S will get the Carrera S’ 3.8-liter 400-hp and 325 lb-ft F-6. The 2014 911 Targa may drop just before summer of next year as a 2014 model.

Thanks to: Motor Trend