In one of the most refreshing, old-school car reviews we’ve seen in a long time, Tiff Needell takes the new Porsche 911 Targa 4S to the gorgeous Italian countryside and compares it to the standard 911. The Targa looks a lot cooler than a base Carrera 2, but it is significantly heavier and only comes with four-wheel-drive. So, should you buy one?

To help you decide, Tiff points out the negatives and positives of the Porsche 911 Targa 4S, and also delivers his verdict on what he likes and what he doesn’t like. In the end, it comes down to your personal preference. If exclusivity and the super-cool appearance of that silver pillar is what you’re after, the Targa is for you. If you don’t care about that, then a standard C2S will be more than enough to put a smile on your face.

Porsche 991 Targa comes in two flavours. The Targa 4 is powered by a 3.4-litre, 350 hp (257 kW) flat engine. Equipped with the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono package, this model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and boasts a top speed of 282 km/h. Its NEDC fuel consumption figures are between 9.5 and 8.7 litres/100 km, depending on transmission, which corresponds to a CO2 emissions level of between 223 and 204 g/km.

The top model is the Targa 4S, which delivers 400 hp (294 kW) from a displacement of 3.8 litres. This model reaches a top speed of 296 km/h and, with the PDK and Sport Chrono package fitted, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Its fuel consumption fluctuates between 10.0 and 9.2 litres per 100 km, depending on transmission, which corresponds to a CO2 level of between 237 and 214 g/km.