- Free-revving flat six-cylinder engines sing sweetly
- Impressive dynamics
- Well-weighted steering provides excellent feel
- Responsive brakes
- Front seats provide excellent lateral support…
- … but are narrow around the shoulders
- Suspension lacks compliance
- For manual transmissions, stiff clutch
- Tiptronic transmission blunts performance
- Cramped rear seats
- Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing susceptible to failure
Review: Porsche 996.II 911 Targa (2001-04)
Overview
Released in August 2001, the Porsche 996 Series II (996.II) 911 Targa was a two-seat coupe with a rear-opening hatch and a power-operated, sliding glass roof. The 911 Targa was powered by a 3.6-litre flat six (or horizontally opposed) petrol engine and mated to either a six-speed manual or Porsche’s ‘Tiptronic S’ automatic transmission which had a sequential shift mode and steering wheel-mounted thumb switches for gearshifts.
Engine
The Porsche 996.II 911 Targa was powered by a 3.6-litre flat (or horizontally opposed) six cylinder engine which featured liquid-cooling (previously air cooled), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 11.3:1 and Porsche’s VarioCam Plus intake valve timing and lift system. Introduced for the 996 911 range, the VarioCam Plus system had two camshaft profiles and two sets of tappets to vary both valve lift and duration.
Dimensions and body
The 996 911 Targa was 4430 mm long, 1770 mm wide, 1305 mm tall and had a 2350 mm long wheelbase. Compared to the 993 911 Targa , the 996 911 Targa had a larger and stronger body that provided greater occupant protection.
The 911 Targa’s glass roof was made of the same pre-tensioned laminated safety glass as the windscreen. The roof could be opened or closed remotely with a dedicated button on the key fob and, when opened, would slide under the rear window. When opened, a wind deflector would also deploy at the leading edge of the windscreen to reduce turbulence.
Suspension
The Porsche 996 911 Targa had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 Targa | 3.6-litre M96.02 petrol F6 | 6sp man., 5sp auto |
235 kW at 6800 rpm | 370 Nm at 4250 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Porsche 996.II 911 Targa dual front airbags, front door-mounted side airbags (providing head, chest and hip protection), ABS and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The Porsche 996.II 911 Targa had 318 mm by 28 mm front brake discs, 299 mm by 24 mm rear discs and four-piston monoblock brake calipers for each wheel.
Features
Standard features for the 911 Targa included 17-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, driver’s seat memory settings, an alarm and immobiliser.
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