Our drive of the 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS included curvy mountain roads north of Atlanta. Right here, we fell in love with the 911. This is likely one of the premier driving experiences accessible at any value, and the GTS mannequin strikes the very best steadiness of track-ready velocity and on-road consolation, with the Targa mannequin leaning extra in direction of the latter. It isn’t the quickest within the lineup, but it surely comes near GT3 efficiency in a straight line with out the back-breaking journey. Porsche additionally handed us the keys to a rear-drive GTS Coupe with the Light-weight Package deal (reviewed individually), and it proved to be way more hard-edged and racey, particularly with the non-obligatory bucket racing seats. In case your tastes skew extra in direction of consolation and livability, the Targa is the far superior each day driver.
Even on some torn-up freeway roads to achieve the mountains, the Targa’s suspension proved compliant sufficient to by no means really feel tiring. Street noise on the freeway is equally acceptable, a lot better than the 911 Coupe with the Light-weight Package deal’s lesser sound deadening and thinner glass. The Targa 4 is the one GTS mannequin to not obtain Porsche’s Lively Suspension Administration from the Porsche 911 Turbo (PASM Sport), as a substitute getting the lesser, commonplace PASM suspension. This implies the Targa is probably the dullest of the three 911 variants, but it surely’s nonetheless sharp relative to different automobiles. The steering is among the many finest we have examined in any new automotive, and the chassis management permits you to hit supercar speeds with out batting a watch.
Driving it back-to-back with the coupe, the Targa’s heavier curb weight is noticeable and the suspension is tuned softer for a greater journey. This leads to extra physique lean than the comparable coupe or cabriolet, however when you let the automotive set in by the nook, it is easy to handle. Rear axle steering helps the Targa really feel extra nimble than its curb weight would suggest, although we discovered the system to really feel barely unpredictable in our restricted time with the automotive. Extra seat time could also be required right here. Drivers in search of most efficiency from their 911 ought to seemingly keep away from the Targa, however in the event you merely desire a good time on a backroad and arguably the very best each day driver, that is the proper physique model.
