The Porsche Targa 4 GTS model has been the cognoscenti’s choice as a daily driver. Officially created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 911 Targa, the GTS gets a more powerful, 430-hp flat-six together with standard fitment of the drive-sharpening Sport Chrono pack and PASM chassis. Being four-wheel drive, the GTS, like its lesser Targa sisters, gets a fractionally wider body shell too. The power increase improves the power-to-weight ratio to less than eight pounds per horsepower.
This is a driver’s car. The electronic steering is stiff. The suspension is stiff. The seven-speed PDK transmission is so finely tuned — intuiting slowing, braking and cornering with rev-matching downshifts — that paddle-shifting is unnecessary. The “sport” mode sharpens the gearing and adds dramatic tone and volume to the exhaust note.
As befits a performance car, the tachometer is front and center on the dash, with the speedometer off to the side. Other dash readouts measure G-force and record zero-to-60-mph sprints. The braking is firm and effective, making 60 to zero just as pleasant. An automatically deploying rear spoiler is also there to keep the car stuck to the pavement. None of that is surprising. It’s a Porsche. It’s a 911. Of course it’s fast and handles like a race car. It is hard to beat with open air, four seats, and sizable frunk space.
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