IT is no secret that Porsche has been studying the feasibility of fitting its cars with coupe-cabriolet roof arrangements, just like an increasing number of their competitors.
We will soon be treated to the latest incarnation of the Mercedes SL with such a roof, together with a rather racy version of the new SLK that is similarly equipped.
Even relatively mundane models such as the Renault Megane, Peugeot 307, Daihatsu Copen, Ford Focus and even Nissan's little Micra come with the option of electric folding steel roofs.
In the case of a Porsche, however, the closest you come is with its Targa model, which is half way between a rag top and a conventional fixed roof.
It doesn't give you fully-fledged wind-in-the-hair motoring but rather a wind-above-the-hair experience.
The idea is to achieve the best of both worlds with a roof that creates an opening as wide as the Channel Tunnel whilst still affording a degree of protection from the worst of the elements.
It operates with a pop-up glass hatch beneath which a twin-layered glass panel slides to reveal an opening that measures one and a half metres square.
There is a retractable blind to prevent the car from becoming a mobile greenhouse on sunny days and there is a pop-up wind deflector to help keep your sun glasses and contact lenses in place.
In the case of the Targa there is a dual choice of engines for the first time.
The 3.6-litre version offers 324bhp whilst the larger 3.8-litre model manages 355bhp.
They both send power to all four wheels and there is slightly softer suspension to reflect the non-racing nature of this leisure-orientated motor.
That is not to say that either model is not fearsomely fast, with acceleration to 60mph around the five-second mark and top speeds of up to 180mph.
However, even mighty Porsche has not managed to overcome the age-old problem of wind noise and buffeting at motorway speeds and of course the massive sunblind has an impact on rear visibility.
As a car, the 911 is just about flawless and some would say probably the best sporting coupe or roadster that money can buy.
As a combination of the two it is a compromised offering whose shortcomings some will forgive whilst others will simply opt for the coupe or roadster and have done with it.
The 911 Coupe 3.8 Carrera 4 S costs £71,980 and the Cabriolet is £79,040 in comparison to £78,420 for the Targa.
Obviously that is a shed-load of money for any car but it is actually not a massive amount for a supercar by today's standards.
Nonetheless, competition is fierce and Porsche has to be grateful that the rival £76,825 Audi R8 is in such short supply. Even if it does not boast a Targa roof arrangement.
FAST FACTS
Porsche 911 Targa 4S
Price: £78,420
Mechanical: 355bhp, 3,824cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 179mph
0-62mph: 4.9 secs
Combined mpg: 23.9
Insurance group: 20
CO2 emissions: 285g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage, 3yrs paint, 10yrs anti-rust