It’s not often that safety is equal to performance in luxury vehicles, but Porsche lined those categories up equally in the new 2008 Porsche 911 Targa 4S, which has a top track speed of 179 mph. The model has a 3.8-liter, 6-cylinder engine that produces 355-horse power and 295 lb-ft of torque, but is leveled with its other features that ground this model.

The ‘08 911 Targa S has several standard safety features, including dual front and side impact airbags, and side-guard door beams. Also available is a Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake, which ultimately is a disc that is not only much harder than steel, but more resistant to temperature. In short, the brake meets the demands of high-performance driving.

The appearance is striking as well, with features like an automatically controlled rear spoiler, stainless steel exhaust pipes and side mirrors with an optional auto-dimming feature, using optical sensors to dim the mirrors, which can help in unpleasant situations such as headlight glare on a rainy night.

Taking a look inside the 911 Targa 4S, an onboard computer keeps the driver up-to-date with information such as indicators of mileage, time, and speed. The display can be shown using a logbook on the standard Porsche Communication Management 5.8-inch color display screen, which is also used for the audio and navigation systems. Audio options include a six-disc CD autochanger and BOSE surround sound.

The new 2008 911 Targa 4S from Porsche is advanced in technology, high-performance and convenient. It’s a package that seems to have it all for those craving a powerful sports car this year.