Feng Shui fever is popular all over the world.
Not surprisingly, Porsche Benjy invented the Targa model.
1965 9 1 1 Targa
Saab catherina
Today's riders think of Porsche when they hear Targa, not only because Porsche 9 1 1 is one of the few models with Targa hardtop, but also because the world's first model with Targa hardtop comes from Porsche brand. The Targa (yes, the name has not changed) released by Porsche 911965 is recognized as the first Targa convertible in the world, but similar semi-convertible models have appeared before, such as Fiat 1200, 1957 65437. Although the structure is similar, Porsche is the first car company to emphasize this structure with a thick silver roll cage, and it is Porsche that makes this convertible structure deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Although it looks very similar, there are still some structural gaps between the Targa ceiling at that time and the current version. The biggest difference is that the iconic silver roll cage was fixed on the car body and could not move. The fabric roof in front and the glass window in the back can be detached separately, so the 9 1 1 Targa model can combine various convertible and soft top forms, which still looked very novel and handsome at that time. This point has not changed significantly after nearly 60 years. It can only be said that Porsche has done a good job in genetic inheritance.
Handsome is handsome, but this structure with B-pillar as roll cage has a less eye-catching disadvantage, that is, there is no place to place the removed fabric ceiling. Although you can choose the storage space in the front of the car, this behavior is indeed an elegant process for the owners who have the strength to drive Porsche 9 1 1. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, Porsche adopted a very thoughtful design on the 993 Targa model released in 1996, that is, the glass roof in the hardtop state was stored under the rear window by using the motor and sliding rail. This not only ensures the freshness after opening the skylight, but also makes the shed look relaxed and happy. However, this structure still has a fixed structure at the top of the side window after opening the skylight, so this design is not so much a convertible as a panoramic skylight that can be completely opened.
In a word from the US Department of Transportation, the Targa convertible went from Europe to the world.
The main reason why Targa convertible structure spread from Europe to all parts of the world is the help of America, a big automobile country. In the sixties and seventies of last century, there was a news circulating in the American automobile industry, that is, DOT, the US Department of Transportation, might ban the production and sale of convertible models, because the hardware protected by members after the rollover was far worse than it is now. In the event of an accident, members in the convertible could only choose to pay attention to it in the next life. The Targa convertible does not seem to have this problem, because the semi-convertible structure retains the crucial structure of the rear window and B-pillar, which can ensure the safe head space of the members in the car even if it rolls. Therefore, as soon as American manufacturers joined forces, the speed of light introduced Porsche's Targa structure into the American market, and finally let it go to the world.
There is also an interesting little story here, that is, although Americans were pioneers of Targa structure, the convertible models produced at that time could not use the name Targa, because Porsche had applied for the patent of this name to Targa Florio, so the American market always used T-top, that is, T-Top to describe such convertible models.
1968 C3 light cruiser
2020 Corvette C8
It has to be mentioned that in the history of automobiles, in addition to Porsche, many well-known models also adopted Targa top design. The first model is a Chevrolet Corvette from America. Since the third generation model C3 was produced in 1968, this historic model has used Targa convertible structure on the hardtop model. Even though the latest generation model C8 released last year has become a mid-engine layout, the Targa convertible structure still exists. It can be seen that Targa top has become an important identification element of Corvette models. The form can be changed, but the soul can't move.
Ferrari Aperta 20 18
Lamborghini Diablo
Many of Porsche's European brothers are also deeply poisoned by Targa, the most serious of which is the Italians. Super-run factories including Ferrari and Lamborghini all use the design elements of Targa convertible on their flagship models. Everyone is familiar with Legalists. From the 250P model in 1960s to the legendary war horse F50, and then to the latest flagship convertible La Ferrari Aperta, Targa convertible scheme has been adopted. Niu Jia also adopted the same convertible structure on the most famous Mihura, Diablo and Aventador models. It can be seen that the Targa top match is still deeply loved by the mid-layout sports car. But it is true that the semi-convertible structure does not destroy the smooth rear window line in the middle, and it also has the freedom of convertible models, which is an excellent convertible structure scheme.
Porsche carrera GT
Porsche 9 18 Spyder
Porsche seems to think so, too, so except for 9 1 1, all the treasures in its major towns have not escaped Targa's "clutches". First of all, the Larrera GT, regarded as the soul of the brand, has made countless Porsche fans crazy with its direct and tough roll cage design. Then there is the 9 18 Spyder, one of the three largest cars in Europe. Although it looks like an alien ship, the iconic B-pillar roll cage also injects soul into it like the finishing touch.
The wave of retro in China is on the rise, and the new 9 1 1Targa comes at the right time.
The latest 992 Targa model, Porsche's price in China is 65,438+0,499,000 yuan and 65,438+0,695,000 yuan respectively, which is in the middle of the current 992 model array. This kind of intelligent pricing allows potential car owners who have the strength to buy 9 1 1 models to choose between the regular version 992 and the slightly retro Targa models according to their preferences, which is also considered as the humanized side of luxury brands.
Harley-Davidson street pole
At present, the domestic high-end car market seems to be the ideal feng shui place for the new 9 1 1 Targa, because the industrial retro design style is becoming the mainstream aesthetic trend in the market. Take the motorcycle market as an example. The most popular models for consumers are not radical sports cars and imitations designed by Kawasaki and KTM, but retro models such as BMW Mocha, Harley and Augusta. To a large extent, it is because the design and aesthetics that have been baptized by the times can not only satisfy the preferences of male consumers, but also take care of the aesthetics of female car owners. The audience is obviously much larger than sports cars and imitation competitions. In terms of automobiles, there is a very direct example, that is, the comments after the replacement of Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender are seriously polarized.
Although Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which has always been advertised as a retro tough guy, has been replaced, its design has basically not changed significantly compared with the old one, and people's evaluation of it also maintains the inherent impression of "love rat" and tough guy's bravery. On the other hand, the defenders of Land Rover are different. It is estimated that after plucking up the courage to choose to subvert the inherent image and pursue the modernist style, it received a negative feedback from the industry and consumers. Of course, these comments are only about its design.
There are many examples, including the reputation of Morgan cars in China and the market popularity of Porsche and MINI, which are all very informative. They all emphasize a message, that is, after experiencing the explosive growth and short-term aesthetics of various models, the acceptance of models with historical accumulation and visual heritage is very high in the domestic market at this stage. The reason why consumers with sufficient strength will choose this kind of car is actually very simple. First, brands and prices can show their economic strength. Second, the retro design can show that they are outstanding individuals with accumulation and culture, and naturally they can draw a clear line with those young people who drive super-running.
And this is the most accurate owner positioning of 9 1 1 Targa, with strength and precipitation. Therefore, the old Targa has been tested in the domestic market, and the future of the new 9 1 1 Targa should be bright. This romantic pursuit of the glory of the industrial revolution in modern cities may be the true meaning that retro models want to convey to us. In the future, retro cars will be abandoned by the times one day, and Cyberpunk's design will become the master of aesthetics. But as long as people at that time look at the history of the car and see this 992 Targa with sexy silver roll cage, they can imagine the glory of the internal combustion engine and people's spirit of pursuing freedom, then the mission belonging to Targa is perfectly completed.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.