Just two days ago, Porsche released the latest 911 model, which is the Targa convertible version with chassis code name 992. Although at first glance there is no difference from the previous generation Targa model, after careful observation, you can still see that there are indeed many adjustments and upgrades in the details of the new car. But it is limited to the difference between 992 and 991, so I won’t go into details here. Today, Xiaobai Car Research Institute would like to take you to know the story of this glass roof - the Targa hardtop convertible. Although it looks very fashionable and cool, in fact it is already a new trend in the automotive design world. An old friend with nearly 60 years of history.
No surprise, it was Porsche Benji who invented the Targa model
1965 911 Targa
Saab Catherina
Current car enthusiasts When people hear Targa, they think of Porsche. This is not only because the Porsche 911 model is one of the few models with a Targa hard top, but also a large part of the reason is because the world's first model with a Targa top was produced by Porsche brand. The Porsche 911 Targa released in 1965 (yes, the name has not changed) is recognized as the first model in the world to use a convertible structure called Targa, but models with a similar semi-convertible structure have appeared before it. For example, the 1957 Fiat 1200 and the 1964 Saab Catharina. Although the structure is similar, Porsche was the first car company to emphasize this structure with a thick silver roll cage, and it was Porsche that made this convertible structure deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Although they look very similar, there are still some structural differences between the Targa roof at that time and the current version. The biggest difference is that at that time, the iconic silver roll cage was fixed to the body and could not be moved. The fabric roof in front and the glass window in the rear can be removed separately, so the 911 Targa model can be combined into a variety of convertible and soft-top forms, which still looked very novel and handsome at the time. This point has not changed significantly after nearly 60 years. It can only be said that Porsche has done a good job in inheriting genes.
Cool is handsome, but this structure that uses the B-pillar as a roll cage has an inconspicuous shortcoming, that is, there is no place to place the removed fabric roof. Although you can choose to put it in the storage space at the front of the car, this behavior is indeed an inelegant process for owners who have the ability to drive a Porsche 911. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, Porsche adopted a design that is still very innovative even today on the 993 Targa model released in 1996, which is to use motors and slide rails to store the glass roof in the hard-top state to the rear. under the window. This not only ensures the refreshing feeling after opening the skylight, but also makes the process of opening the shed seem relaxed and comfortable. However, this structure still has a fixed structure at the top of the side windows after the sunroof is opened. Therefore, this design is not so much a convertible, but rather a panoramic sunroof that can be fully opened.
In a word from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Targa convertible went from Europe to the world
The main reason why the Targa convertible structure became popular from Europe to all over the world is the help of the United States, a major automobile country. . During the 1960s and 1970s, there was news circulating in the U.S. automobile industry that the U.S. Department of Transportation, also known as DOT, might ban the production and sales of convertible models because the convertibles at that time had a high risk of overturning. The protection hardware is far inferior to what it is now. Once a convertible rolls over in an accident, the members in the car can only choose to pay more attention in the next life. But the Targa convertible doesn't seem to have such a problem, because the semi-convertible structure retains the crucial structure of the rear window and B-pillar, which can ensure safe headroom for the occupants of the car even if it rolls over.
Therefore, as soon as the American manufacturers gathered together, they introduced Porsche's Targa structure to the American market at light speed, and eventually made it available to the world.
There is also an interesting little story here, that is, although the Americans are considered to be the promoters of the Targa structure, the convertible models produced at that time could not use the name Targa, because Porsche had already named it Targa. The name of Florio has applied for a patent, so the American market always uses T-Top, or T-top, to describe this type of convertible model.
1968 Corvette C3
2020 Corvette C8
This has to be mentioned. In the history of automobiles, in addition to Porsche, many well-known models also use The design of the Targa top is gone. The first to bear the brunt is the Chevrolet Corvette from the United States. This long-standing model has used the Targa convertible structure on hard-top models for a long time starting from the third-generation model C3 produced in 1968. Even though the latest generation model C8 released last year has changed to a mid-engine layout, the Targa The convertible structure also remains. It can be seen that the Targa top has become an important identifying element of the Corvette model. The form can be changed, but the soul cannot.
La Ferrari Aperta 2018
Lamborghini Diablo
Many of Porsche’s European brothers are also very addicted to Targa tops, and the worst among them are the Italians. Supercar manufacturers including Ferrari and Lamborghini have used Targa convertible design elements on their flagship models. Everyone is familiar with Legalism. From the 250P model in the 1960s to the well-known legendary war horse F50 to the latest flagship convertible La Ferrari Aperta, the Targa convertible scheme has been adopted. Niujia also uses the same open-top structure on its most famous Miura, Diablo and Aventador models. It can be seen that the Targa roof is still very popular among mid-mounted sports cars. But it is true that the semi-convertible structure does not destroy the original smooth rear window line of the mid-mounted layout, and it can also have the freedom and ease of the convertible model. It can be regarded as an excellent convertible structure solution.
Porsche Carrera GT
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche seems to think so too, so in addition to the 911, its major brand treasures It also failed to escape the "claws" of the Targa top. The first is the Larreira GT, which is regarded as the soul of the brand. Its direct and tough roll cage design makes countless Porsche fans crazy. Then there is the 918 Spyder, one of Europe's three most popular cars. Although its appearance looks as sci-fi as an alien spaceship, the iconic B-pillar roll cage also injects soul into it like the finishing touch.
The domestic retro wave is rising, and the new 911 Targa comes at the right time
The domestic price of the latest 992 Targa model is set by Porsche at 1.499 million yuan and 1.695 million yuan , its price is at the middle level among the current 992 model array. This smart pricing allows potential car owners who have the ability to purchase 911 models to choose between the regular version of 992 and the slightly retro Targa model based on their preferences. It can also be regarded as the humane side of the luxury brand.
Harley-Davidson Street Rod
The current domestic high-end car market seems to be a very ideal geomantic treasure land for the new 911 Targa, because the industrial retro design style is becoming more and more popular. It has become the mainstream aesthetic trend in the market. Take the motorcycle market as an example. The most popular models among consumers are not the radically designed sports cars and imitation racing cars of Kawasaki and KTM, but the sentimental retro-style models such as BMW Mocha, Harley and Augusta. To a large extent, this is because the design and aesthetics that have been baptized by the times can not only satisfy the preferences of male consumers, but also take into account the aesthetics of female car owners. The audience group is obviously much larger than that of sports cars and imitation racing cars.
In terms of cars, there is a very direct example, that is, the highly polarized comments on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender after they were replaced.
Although the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which has always been advertised as a retro tough guy, has been replaced, the appearance design has basically not changed significantly compared with the old model, and people's evaluation of it remains the same as the design as "scumbag" The inherent impression of exclusiveness and tough guy bravery. The Land Rover Defender is different. It is estimated that after mustering up the courage to subvert the inherent image and pursue a modernist style, it has received a lot of negative feedback from the industry and consumers. Of course, these comments are only for its appearance and design.
There are many, many more examples, including the domestic reputation of Morgan models and the market reception of heritage models such as Porsche and MINI, all of which emphasize the message that the current domestic The market, after explosive growth and a fleeting appreciation of various models in a short period of time, has become very receptive to models with historical accumulation and visual heritage. The reasons why consumers with enough strength will choose this type of car are actually very simple. First, the brand and price can demonstrate their economic strength. Second, the retro design can reflect that they are an outstanding individual with accumulation and culture, and can be natural. To draw a clear line between young people who drive supercars.
And this is the most precise car owner positioning of the 911 Targa, with strength and accumulation. So after the old Targa has tested the waters in the domestic market, the future of the new 911 Targa should be bright. This romance of finding the splendor of the industrial revolution in modern cities may be the true meaning that retro models want to convey to us. One day in the future, retro-style models will be abandoned by the times, and cyberpunk designs will become the dominant aesthetic. But as long as people at that time look at the history of cars and see this 992 Targa with a sexy silver roll cage and can imagine the glory of the internal combustion engine and people's spirit of not surrendering to shackles and pursuing freedom, then the mission of Targa will also be Perfectly finished.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.