Porsche 993 Targa

The vehicle in detail

The Porsche 993 was launched in late 1993 to replace the 964 series, with significant technical improvements and for the first time a radical styling departure from all previous 911s.

Unlike previous generations, it was initially only available in coupe or cabriolet configuration, both with manual or switchable Tiptronic transmission, the latter being more popular when new.

The Targa had very much been part of the 911 line up through the 60s,70s,80s and early 90s, however, featured a roof design that had hardly been altered since conception and was beginning to feel decidedly archaic when specified on a 1990s 964 model.  The 993 Targa launched for the 1996 model year, not only featured the powerful new 285bhp air cooled Varioram engine and drivetrain of the revised Carrera 2 coupe variants, it also featured an all new electric glass roof system, that not only retracted to give a greater feeling of open air space than a conventional coupe with a sunroof, but also made the interior a light and airy place to be with it closed too. The appearance was unique, the 2-piece split rim alloys manufactured by Speedline in particular, differentiating the Targa further from the Coupe. Only available for the final two years of air-cooled 911 production, the 993 is a unique example of the Targa 911 concept today, with all subsequent models fitted with this retracting roof system being water cooled.