German tuning company McChip-DKR has revealed its latest conversion build. An odd, yet somehow perfect, mashup of two iconic Porsche 911 models.
Porsche's Targa and GT3 model lines are two of the brand's most instantly recognisable creations, but they're two cars that offer drivers two very different experiences.
One features a distinctive open-top roof design that dates back to the 1960s, the other a track-focused performance car with large wings, gaping air vents and massive ceramic brakes to fit the bill.
So on paper, it seems difficult to imagine a middle ground between the two, but that hasn't stopped McChip giving it a crack ... with surprisingly tremendous results.
This Porsche left the factory as a 991.2 Targa 4 GTS offering 331kW of turbocharged power, an open air driving experience and the comfortable GT ride characteristics you'd expect, but McChip-DKR wanted this Targa to do more ... a lot more.
Firstly, some of the Targa's more subtle body panels were replaced with louder, vented Porsche GT3 RS parts. Only Porsche-built, factory original body panels were used, with the front and rear bumpers, front fenders and rear side walls partially adapted and replaced.
Porsche's GT3 RS wheels and ceramic brakes were also fitted, along with height-adjustable KW coil springs and a few adjustments to the front axel to make the new rims flush with new fenders. A fresh coat of 'agate grey' paint and an upgraded interior finished off the Targa's visual conversion.
But this build isn't all about show, with the Targa's performance subject to just as much work its appearance. The 3-litre turbocharged flat-six engine has been given a significant boost, bringing its new power figures close to the stock performance of the 4-litre GT3 RS on which it's modelled.
The planed two-stage performance upgraded was eventually scrapped in favor of McChip's stage-three performance package. This included fitting bigger turbo chargers, a Capristo valve exhaust system attached to GT3-RS tailpiles, and a new ECU with software optimisation. These parts boosted the engine's performance from 331kW of power and 550Nm, to a staggering 422kW of power and 675Nm of torque.
McChip now call this Targa build "the metamorphosis of a Porsche boldie", and it's easy to see why.
Custom builds so often warrant one of two reactions - either your jaw to drop or the urge to scratch your head - this Porsch 911 Targa 4 GTS conversion leaves me doing a bit of both, and im perfectly okay with that.
All you have to do is soak it in and enjoy all details of a one-off build that looks like it rolled off Porsche's own production line - but in reality was hand crafted in a shed.
