RETAINING its basic appearance since its debut in 1965, the 911 Targa 4 GTS is far from basic. The iconic sports car embodies Porsche’s technological advancement while still embracing that old world charm.

Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine was privy to some seat-time in a shark blue 911 Targa 4 GTS at an event dubbed Miami-Naples Experience held in Florida recently.

Like its predecessor, there’s no mistaking the 911 Targa 4 GTS, with its bulging fenders, for anything but a Porsche. Its roof is fully automatic, folding under a hard cover. With its top up or down, the car is totally a dream to drive.

For the non-cognoscenti, GTS means Gran Turismo Sport. Whereas GTS initially meant additional comfort in a sports car, it eventually morphed into a label for a sportier driving experience. Today, all Porsche models are available in an extra-sporty GTS variant that features an array of trim details.

Angel Luis Colon — regional sales manager and exclusive manufacture manager at Porsche Latin America, Inc — shared about the iconic sports car.

“The 911 Targa 4 GTS gives you the best of both worlds. It’s an all-rounder, being that it is the GTS model variant or trim variant, but also a Targa. A Targa takes the best of a cabriolet and coupe, as well as a hard top and combines them in one package. So it gives the driver the feeling he or she is driving in a hard top, with the flexibility of a cabriolet, without taking the entire top down. It also has a very unique look with that big one-piece rear glass. There aren’t many cars out there today that have that feature. It’s also very retro, which takes you back to the original Targa from 50 years ago,” he told Auto.

The cabin is a bit snug, but comfy for two. As for storage, Porsche had hidden recesses. There’s a deep bin in the “frunk” measuring 4.6 cubic feet.

The Targa GTS is available with an eight-speed PDK transmission or, a seven-speed manual.

Race-Tex trim adds a classy, but practical touch. There’s plenty of supple leather, richly textured soft plastics and high-quality controls.

The 911 Targa 4 GTS has a twin-turbo charged 3.0-litre flat-6, producing 473 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque between 2,300 and 5,000 rpm. With the Sport Chrono Package (PDK), it accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 307 km/h.

The Targa offers 19 miles per gallon combined (16 city/23 highway).

The Porsche Communication Management system’s 10.3-inch screen is aesthetically integrated into the 911’s dash board and uses both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

And, who’s the 911 Targa 4 GTS for?

“We’d like to say it’s for everyone. It’s the car that most kids had on their wall …that they dreamt about — it’s the sports car of their dreams. If you look here, especially in South Florida, you will see drivers such as a young entrepreneur driving a 911, to sports car enthusiast, sports car collectors to the female who uses it for her daily runs. It’s an all-around car. It can be wicked on the track and docile on the highway. It’s a true sports car. If you want the car to be docile and you put it in ‘normal’ mode and you don’t want to activate the sports suspension, then it’s a car that can be driven daily. It’s a car that is good on fuel and it can be quiet as well… It’s an all-around car and we have all different trim levels,” Colon added.