Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS 992.2 Review
BY FALCON CAR RENTAL
The Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS (992.2) sits in a rare, highly desirable space. It’s not a stripped-out track weapon, and it isn’t a soft grand tourer either. It’s the in-between Porsche has quietly perfected: real performance, daily usability, and an iconic silhouette that feels instantly elevated—especially with that signature Targa hoop.
This is the 911 for drivers who want pace, precision, and personality—without sacrificing comfort or visual distinction.
Engine and Power Delivery: Effortless, Not Edgy
At the center of the experience is Porsche’s twin-turbo flat-six, calibrated with the kind of refinement that defines the GTS badge. The response is immediate, clean, and surprisingly natural for a turbo engine. Power builds with confidence instead of drama—no sudden spikes, no hesitation, no waiting.
What makes it special isn’t just speed, but control. The Targa rewards precision: you can roll into the throttle mid-corner, modulate power smoothly on imperfect roads, and surge past traffic without the car ever feeling impatient or unpredictable.
Fast, but never frantic.
PDK Transmission: Always the Right Gear
Porsche’s PDK remains the benchmark for a reason. In normal driving, shifts are smooth and nearly invisible. In Sport and Sport Plus, the car sharpens instantly—downshifts become crisp, timing becomes more assertive, and the whole drivetrain feels more awake without becoming harsh.
Manual paddle control feels direct and intuitive. The transmission doesn’t second-guess you—it responds. That confidence is a big part of why the Targa feels so composed when driven quickly.
Real-World Performance: Speed You Can Actually Use
The 992.2 Targa 4 GTS delivers serious pace, but what stands out most is how usable it feels. The all-wheel-drive system translates power into clean forward motion with minimal drama, so acceleration feels consistent, repeatable, and controlled.
That matters in real driving—especially in stop-and-go city pockets, uneven surfaces, and quick transitions between tight streets and open highway. It’s exactly the kind of balance that makes Porsche rental in San Diego genuinely rewarding: fast enough to feel special, stable enough to feel relaxed, and refined enough to make a full day behind the wheel feel effortless.
Chassis and Handling: The Targa Is No Longer a Compromise
Older Targa generations sometimes carried the reputation of being the stylish option rather than the sharpest driver’s pick. The 992.2 generation changes that story. The structure feels rigid, the body feels settled, and the car stays remarkably planted through transitions.
Steering is precise and communicative without being nervous. Turn-in is clean, body motion stays controlled, and the car maintains confidence mid-corner even when you push. Porsche Active Suspension Management blends comfort and discipline so smoothly it feels natural rather than “mode-dependent.”
Exhaust Note: Refined and Correct
The GTS sport exhaust adds character without turning the car into an announcement. At low speeds, it’s deep and restrained. As revs rise, it becomes more expressive—still controlled, still premium, never artificial.
With the roof open, it’s the ideal soundtrack: present enough to elevate the drive, never loud enough to create fatigue.
Driving Modes: One Car, Multiple Personalities
In Normal mode, the Targa is calm, smooth, and genuinely easy to live with. Sport tightens the responses and adds energy. Sport Plus brings out the full performance intent, ideal for open roads where the car can breathe.
That adaptability is why it’s a standout option for anyone looking to hire a luxury convertible for a road trip. It can be relaxed and comfortable for long stretches, then instantly shift into something sharp and engaging the moment the route turns interesting.
Interior and Interface: Driver-Centered Luxury
Inside, the cabin feels designed by drivers. Seating offers excellent support without sacrificing comfort for long drives. Controls fall naturally to hand. The layout is clean, purposeful, and solid—everything you touch feels precise.
The digital displays are modern without losing Porsche’s classic clarity: performance-focused information, presented without clutter.
Open-Top Performance, Perfected
This is where the Targa earns its reputation. It delivers the open-air experience without the usual convertible compromises. Wind management is excellent, high-speed stability remains confident, and the chassis never feels loose or flexy.
The roof mechanism also adds a sense of theatre—elegant, engineered, and unmistakably Porsche. For clients exploring luxury convertible rental in Santa Monica, the Targa offers a refined alternative to traditional soft-tops: cleaner design, stronger structure, and a more composed driving feel that suits LA perfectly.
The Falcon Car Rental Perspective
At Falcon Car Rental, we select cars that offer more than surface-level appeal. The 911 Targa 4 GTS (992.2) earns its place through engineering excellence, driving purity, and timeless design.
It delivers excitement without excess, performance without discomfort, and prestige without pretension—exactly the balance our clientele values.