Back in the 1960s, Porsche designed a safer pop top to stay ahead of government regulations. Their move was in a time U.S. legislators were considering banning convertibles completely.
Now, 50 years later, Porsche has updated its iconic pop top with a system that essentially creates a “smart roof” over the new Porsche 911 Targa. At the push of a button, the Targa’s hydraulic cylinders raise the rear glass, two panel covers lift and move inward. This allows the “smart roof” to rise and pivot back.
From here, hydraulics grab the magnesium-coated Teflon top over the roll bar and stow it in a rear compartment directly above the engine.
Incredibly, Porsche was able to create the traditional basket-handle look while also incorporating die-cast aluminum panels to hide all the intricate mechanics and a huge molded steel roll bar that are important in the new “smart roof” fully automated system.
