Porsche 993 Targa

The vehicle in detail

Earlier Targa models were known for their distinctive, removable roof panel and the characteristic roll bar - a tribute to Porsche's response to increasingly strict safety regulations in the USA in the 1960s. But everything changed with the 993: for the first time, the Targa no longer had a removable roof, but instead a large, electrically operated glass roof that could be slid continuously backwards under the rear window.

This was a revolution - a mixture of coupé, convertible and something completely new. The elegant, frameless solution made the 993 Targa the perfect car for drivers who wanted to enjoy fresh air without sacrificing the rigid body structure of a coupé.

Under the hood was an air-cooled 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine with up to 286 hp (in the model with Varioram from 1996). The sound - raw, honest, direct - was music to the senses. The newly developed multi-link rear axle ensured significantly better driving stability and comfort compared to earlier 911 models.

And then there was the design: rounded, but not soft. Classic, but not old-fashioned. Today, the 993 is one of the most sought-after 911s of all - not least because it is considered to be particularly reliable and durable.

production of the Porsche 993 ended in 1998 - and with it the era of the air-cooled 911. For many enthusiasts, the 993 Targa marked the high point of this line: technically mature, visually timeless, and with a roof solution that was ahead of its time.