When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My US spec 2018 Targa 4S just arrived. While I was traveling in Europe, I was provided a Targa 4S loaner car (obviously in European spec) due to the temporary problem they had with registration for European Delivery. There were a few touches on the loaner that are European market specific items that I liked. The principal one being the ability to open and close the Targa top from the remote key fob (bottom button below). The US key FOB does not come with this feature, so I inquired of the local US dealer if this was something that could be incorporated by purchasing the European Targa key fob and having them program the key and the car accordingly, The dealership has said that they cannot do that because the software for US spec cars does not have the package that allows the Targa top to be operated remotely. I had assumed it would be a simple software adjustment,
Can anyone confirm that in fact the US spec cars cannot be modified to allow for remote opening/closing of the Targa top? Is there a known workaround? Any suggestions?
It's a liability for Porsche in the US (because we are just so darn litigious!). Same with the Cabs. No dealership can or will modify the car for remote top down. However there is a work around and easy to install. It works with the Targa. I did this on my Boxster.
It's a liability for Porsche in the US (because we are just so darn litigious!). Same with the Cabs. No dealership can or will modify the car for remote top down. However there is a work around and easy to install. It works with the Targa. I did this on my Boxster.
^^^ Yep, Mods4Cars SmartTop is your answer. Not only do you get the remote open/close feature from your key fob that you seek....you also get one click open and close from button inside the car, vs holding the button during the full 20 second process. A bit pricey...but certainly a mod I would do again.
Great mod. My dealer gladly installed it. Does not modify the PCM. It's a black box. You triple-click the "unlock" button to both raise and lower the top. And it puts the windows up or down at the same time (and you can modify that pre-installation if you like. Plus as mentioned above, one-click (no need to hold button) from within the car. Nifty device.
Thanks very much guys. This seems to be a very good solution, if I can't get the factory set up. I've sent a note to them to see if they can do it so that it would work with a european remote so that I can use the specific targa top button on the euro fob instead of the open and close buttons on the US remote. We shall see.
Thanks very much guys. This seems to be a very good solution, if I can't get the factory set up. I've sent a note to them to see if they can do it so that it would work with a european remote so that I can use the specific targa top button on the euro fob instead of the open and close buttons on the US remote. We shall see.
One gripe I have with the mod4cars smart top is that when you lock the car and then remote close the top, the car unlocks. You have to wait around for the top to close to lock the car.
Last edited by subshooter; 12-02-2017 at 10:06 AM.
One grip I have with the mod4cars smart top is that when you lock the car and then remote close the top, the car unlocks. You have to wait around for the top to close to lock the car.
They have a firmware update that somewhat corrects that.
Thanks very much guys. This seems to be a very good solution, if I can't get the factory set up. I've sent a note to them to see if they can do it so that it would work with a european remote so that I can use the specific targa top button on the euro fob instead of the open and close buttons on the US remote. We shall see.
Hi Lava Fire,
Were you able to accomplish your "Euro Key fob" top opening goal via Mods4Cars's SmartTop?
I am interested as well.
Thanks for any feedback
A US dealer cannot reprogram the car to operate like it does elsewhere as it is since a regulation prohibits blocking the taillights when the top is in motion while the car is moving and also since they feel someone could get trapped between the top and rear bumper if there was one-touch operation. The only way to get the functionality is with the SmartTop module, which I have and it is the best money on a mod I have spent on this car and I use it each time I use the car. And the install in very easy and one does not even get their hands dirty so I was able to do it!
Hi Lava Fire,
Were you able to accomplish your "Euro Key fob" top opening goal via Mods4Cars's SmartTop?
I am interested as well.
Thanks for any feedback
12-01-2017, 01:07 PM
Targa Top - Open/Close from Key FOB
