Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Porsche’s 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4 send turbocharged moxie to all four wheels

By
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Porsche debuted the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S about a month ago, and the twin-turbo flat-six that powers both is making its way up the 911 model range.
Recommended Videos

The 2017 Carrera 4, Carrera 4 Cabriolet, and Targa 4 (as well as the corresponding S versions of each) have made their official debuts online, and every member of the litter benefits from some version of the aforementioned 3.0-liter powerplant. Each gets a new electro-hydraulic all-wheel drive system as well, and for the first time, AWD variants are actually quicker than their rear-wheel drive counterparts.

In standard guise, the 3.0-liter makes 370 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, which is good for a 0 to 60 sprint of 4.1 seconds in the Carrera 4 with the PDK and Sport Chrono package. The Carrera 4S gets a bump to 420 hp and 369 lb-ft, dropping the 0 to 60 figure to 3.8 ticks with equivalent equipment. Cabriolet and Targa models are a tad heavier, so acceleration times increase by 0.2 seconds all around — the time it takes to blink, according to Porsche.

1 of 9
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to the new AWD layout, the revamped Porsche Active Suspension Management system comes standard on all models, and it lowers ride height by 10 millimeters in the search for true cornering bliss. Rear-axle steering (which you can learn more about here) is also available on the Carrera 4S as an option.

Inside, functionality and connectivity have gotten a boost as the Porsche Communication infotainment suite is completely fresh. It now boasts a seven-inch multi-touch display, a navigation system with handwritten input capabilities, and functions like Google Street View and Internet radio.

U.S. pricing has not been released yet, but the Carrera 4 and Targa 4 family will be launched in Germany at the tail end of January 2016. The Carrera 4 will start at 103,983 euros ($116,977), the Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Targa 4 will both start at 117,073 euros ($131,703). S models tack on another 14,161 euros ($15,930).

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Andrew Hard
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Kia EV4: everything we know so far
Kia EV4 Front

Kia is continuing to expand its electric car lineup. The EV6 and EV9 have both been out for some time now, and the company is in the middle of rolling out the EV3 in Europe, with a North American release expected next year. After that, it's likely the company will turn to the EV5. But what about after that? Well, that could be where the Kia EV4 comes in.

Kia announced a concept version of the EV4 at its EV Day in 2023, showing off a futuristic-looking hatchback that's seemingly a little smaller than the EV6, but keeps many design elements. Since then, Kia has confirmed very few details about it, though we have seen it shown off at other automotive events. Here's everything we know about the Kia EV4 so far.
Kia EV4 design
The Kia EV4, or at least the concept version of it, is smaller than the EV6, and much smaller than the EV9. It's actually closer in size to a sedan than anything else, though with its open trunk, it could be considered a hatchback. Regardless, it certainly blurs the line between the two. So much so, that in recent months we've actually seen a full hatchback version of the EV4 being tested -- and it's possible that Kia is pivoting the design of the EV4 entirely to be a hatch, or will be releasing both hatchback and sedan versions.

Read more
Hertz is selling used Teslas for under $20K, Chevrolet Bolt EVs under $14K
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently nixed hopes of a regular Tesla model ever selling for $25,000.

But he was talking about new models. For car rental company Hertz, the race to sell used Teslas and other EVs at ever-lower prices is not only still on but accelerating.

Read more
Never mind slowing sales, 57% of drivers will likely have an EV in 10 years

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have slowed globally over the past few years. But should EV makers cater more to the mainstream, it’s likely that 57% of drivers will have an EV in 10 years, consulting firm Accenture says.

Last year, nearly 14 million EVs were sold globally, representing a 35% year-on-year increase. But it was much slower than the 55% sales growth recorded in 2022 and the 121% growth in 2021.

Read more