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If the vert is a retractable hard top with "buttresses", what's the point of a targa?
I've owned 5 Corvettes; 4 C5s (Z06, coupe, vert, Z06) and now a C7 Z51 coupe. I love a convertible for a street car, but being able to track my car is a must so I typically picked Z06s or targa tops. The Targa is nice, but having to take the top in and out a bunch gets old. It would seem to me like the proposed retractable hard top (I.e. Ferrari 458) is going to be the perfect "do everything" solution. So I was thinking... with a hard top power convertible available, what would be the advantage of a targa model? Thoughts?
1. Targa could be a little lighter with no power top hardware, but today's cars are so porky I wonder how much weight savings would really be available?
2. More storage with the targa? But targa out it has to go somewhere?
It would make more sense to make a fixed roof coupe and a power hard top convertible IMO.
EDIT - If the power hardtop did not pass HPDE tech with most groups then the manual targa would be the only option for a trackable car that can be "open air" on the street. However, many cars with the little integrated roll hoops (S2000, Boxster, etc.) do pass HPDE tech. I would think the buttresses will have some rollover protection purpose.
Cost? They can charge a $5k premium for a power targa.
Huh? There are no plans to do a power tara a la Mazda Miata or Porsche Targa. It's going to be a manual removable roof panel or a power hard top vert. My point is it would make more sense to do a fixed hard top coupe and the power hard top vert. The targa has little benefit over the hard top vert.
The only caveat to this would be if the hard top vert DOES NOT pass HPDE tech and you can't track it. Then the only option for a trackable open-air car would be the targa.
Huh? There are no plans to do a power tara a la Mazda Miata or Porsche Targa. It's going to be a manual removable roof panel or a power hard top vert. My point is it would make more sense to do a fixed hard top coupe and the power hard top vert. The targa has little benefit over the hard top vert.
The only caveat to this would be if the hard top vert DOES NOT pass HPDE tech and you can't track it. Then the only option for a trackable open-air car would be the targa.
Seems like most ME manufacturers (i.e. Ferrari, McLaren, Lambo, etc.) build a FRC version and a "Spyder" version with a power hardtop to satisfy their customers' desires depending on whether they prefer the open air feel or not. Most "spyders" are usually heavier so the performance is not quite the same as the FRC models.
Not sure about the targa in a coupe unless it'll just be there because the Corvette has always been known for that feature in their coupes except for certain instances (C5/C6 Z06 models). I think most Vette owners of coupes enjoy having that available to them so maybe the new ME will continue that tradition.
Huh? There are no plans to do a power tara a la Mazda Miata or Porsche Targa. It's going to be a manual removable roof panel or a power hard top vert. My point is it would make more sense to do a fixed hard top coupe and the power hard top vert. The targa has little benefit over the hard top vert.
The only caveat to this would be if the hard top vert DOES NOT pass HPDE tech and you can't track it. Then the only option for a trackable open-air car would be the targa.
I dunno. The stylistic line between a Ferrari 458 style 'convertible' and a Miata RF style 'power targa' is a very fine one.
If it had a flat rear deck with pop up roll bars I'd be more inclined to call it a convertible, regardless of whether it's a soft or rigid top.
Tool Hoarder: “So I was thinking... with a hard top power convertible available, what would be the advantage of a targa model? Thoughts?”
i’ve owned an ‘11 Z4 with a retractable HT. Loved its HT compared to either my C6 or current C7 both having targa tops. The problem with most, if not all retractable hard tops on FRONT engine cars is that you lose a considerable amount of trunk space when it is retracted to the rear. My Z4 had a special trunk divider that was required to be lowered before the HT could even be lowered thus removing ~ 1/2 the storage space.
i suspect the Corvette ME will not have this problem because, 1) the frunk will be for primary storage, 2) there may be a small trunk just in front of the rear facia, and 3) the HT may fold down and lay between the buttresses under a cover. With that a vertical center window between the buttresses that retracts behind the seats, outside of the cabin rear fire wall. Some suspect the HT will also store that same way.
But there could be one advantage of a manually removable Targa Top if its storage issue is solved. It is if the ME Targa Top model also has buttresses and not a C7 style hatch. Then that center window between the buttresses could also be lowered whether the Targa Top is on or off. Result, a more open passage of air through the cabin. This also could be used in a fixed roof ME. Another benefit, all models of the ME could have a common verticle rear window architecture lowering costs. Although room for a C7 style hatch is still possible too.
Think C3 and envision it with large butresees, retractable rear window, and Targa Top not T-Tops. Corvette Hertiage too.
P.S. Love this red!
What is the point of a targa top? I've been wondering that for years. I like my convertibles...
I can legally track my car and take the top out on the street. I cannot track a convertible without a rollbar which destroys the interior space and a "legal" bar that goes 2" over your head doesn't fit under the top anyway.
That is an extraordinarily beautiful design. Amazing that GM could follow up the brilliant C2 Stingray with the equally brilliant C3. They spoiled us and then went into conservative hibernation for 30+ years.
True, cars are getting "heavier" but I'm not so sure the ME is going to purposely go that route. There are enough items of concern to solve, weight, added size of top storage, and complexity (of a folding hardtop convertible) aren't two or three to add to the mix. I think it'll be a conventional removable targa choice, and a light(er)-weight cloth convertible as is possible. The strength will be in the "hoop" of the targa for racing, and the convertible won't qualify for most racing/HPDE situations. JMG (just my guess)
Removing/ replacing the targa top does get a bit tiresome I must admit. It's fine for a long road trip day, but really annoying when you drive 15 minutes away for lunch.
If their are buttresses for roll over protection, I love the idea of a powered roof on all models. I'd surely want one!
However, another easy option is a folding, good up to about 100 mph, optional targa top. Something that you can store and carry on a long road trip to deal with rain storms and overnight, without using a lot of storage. And it would be light too.
True, cars are getting "heavier" but I'm not so sure the ME is going to purposely go that route. There are enough items of concern to solve, weight, added size of top storage, and complexity (of a folding hardtop convertible) aren't two or three to add to the mix. I think it'll be a conventional removable targa choice, and a light(er)-weight cloth convertible as is possible. The strength will be in the "hoop" of the targa for racing, and the convertible won't qualify for most racing/HPDE situations. JMG (just my guess)
There is no evidence to date of a soft top convertible, but there is plenty of photo evidence for a folding hardtop.
There are clearly 2 types of cars running around - one with roof seams consistent with a targa top, and the other with seams and fat buttresses consistent with a folding hardtop a la Ferrari 458/488.
The advantage to GM of going with the targa over a fixed roof coupe is they avoid the weight and cost of the airbags the fixed roof coupe would have to have.
Personally, I'd love to see the rig as a fixed roof coupe and retractable hard top vert. I like the advantages/benefits the fixed roof provides as far as better structural integrity, and absence of pops, rattles, squeaks, etc.
I'm pessimistic I'll be able to get one, though, as GM will probably go targa to avoid the cost/weight of the airbags.
In the minority but the best thing they can do is a retractable hard top convertible and a solid roof coupe. You really want open air get the spyder, you want performance without the compromise and perhaps a more visually appealing car get the FRC.
SAfety regulations on open top vehicles is less involved and so both the corvette and the targa and the power folding hardtop will be the only vehicles offered.
i dont remember the exact regulation but it was the same reason the solstice coupe had a targa roof.
there are millions and millions of dollars extra required to meet the safety or air bag requirements of a hardtop coupe as compared to a removable roof vehicle.
as im rolling 60 next year i enjoy staying young lifting off the targa roof and storing it in the trunk..
it makes me laugh as i do it and I drive with the roof off all the time.
i loved my 500 hp c5 z06 but with my present corvette having a targa...ill never own anything but an open air corvette...
i anticiapte ar least 7 grand based off of what bmw charges for a hardtop convertible and with that ill go for the targa most probably...
my better half said to me the ither day that pretty soon ill be too old to be flipping that roof into the trunk amd to that i said not a chance...the targa suits me just fine...
she almost talked me into a jaguar f type v8 convertible last year instead of a new corvette...
now that ive gotten to see the c8 R i know i made the right choice...
same goes for the top i think...
nothing like the open air to experience life to the fullest..
jmo
for gm its about one set of safety standards for both vehicles...
nothing more except maybe some of enjoy the targa and for those that dont...just keep the targa locked in place.
08-08-2018, 09:36 AM
If the vert is a retractable hard top with "buttresses", what's the point of a targa?
They can charge a $5k premium for a power targa.
