Porsche has been snapped hot-weather testing its updated 992.2-generation 911 Targa in Southern Europe.
Porsche is expected to reveal its 992.2 generation 911 models later this year.
The Targa is unique in the 911 range due to its its eponymous roof design, featuring a soft top over the front seats that can be electronically folded and stowed at the rear of the car.
Up front, the front bumper has been revised and now features horizontally oriented air intakes, bisected by a trim piece.
The LED headlights have the same shape as before but now feature integrated indicators.
There doesn’t appear to be much black tape around the front of the vehicle except for the fog lights. The back however features black tape around parts of the tail light design, diffuser and engine grille to disguise details.
At the back, the bumper has been updated to feature two centrally mounted exhausts under the licence plate. Porsche has also shortened the reflectors which are now separated from the diffuser.
The engine’s grille design has also been updated to feature a thick border and additional vertical strips.
The prototype features a new 10-spoke wheel design.
Inside, it’s expected Porsche will introduce fully digital gauges.
It’s expected we will have to wait until its reveal later this year to confirm any powertrain changes, but some degree of electrification is expected for the 911.
Tougher European emissions rules expected to come into effect by 2026 may mean the brand will look to include a 48V mild-hybrid system in the next couple of years.
Such a system could allow the petrol engine to switch off at low speeds, and provide a power boost when you put your foot down – while also reducing overall emissions.
The larger Cayenne and Panamera are currently offered with plug-in hybrid powertrains, however it’s unlikely the rear-engined 911 sports cars will see a PHEV option.
The board member responsible for the 911 and 718 model lines, Frank-Steffen Walliser, has previously told CarExpert the move to hybrid power “could come step-by-step” as Porsche works to meet the next batch of European emissions rules expected to hit in 2026.
“The question is: With the hybridisation, what is the right level? How much power do you put in?,” Mr Walliser asked.
“This is also not solved. In the automotive industry we see different solutions, and we will see what our solution will be. Hybridisation in general is something we are considering.”
The current 911 Targa 4 is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six petrol engine that produces 283kW of power and 450Nm of torque, with a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, or 4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package.
The Targa 4S has 331kW and 530Nm, slashing the 0-100km/h time to 3.8 seconds (3.6 with the Sport Chrono Package), while the Targa GTS is the hero of this sub-range of 911 variants.
It punches out 353kW and 570Nm from its twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six, good for a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.
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