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Encrypted messaging platform <keyword id="19936816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="signal" source="keywords">Signal</keyword> is launching usernames for chats to keep your phone number private.<br /><br />As a new default, the phone number will no longer be visible to everyone in Signal.<br /><br />"People who have your number saved in their phone's contacts will still see your phone number since they already know it," the company said in a statement.<br /><br />You can now create a unique username that you can use instead (you will still need a phone number to sign up for Signal). <br /><br />"A username is not the profile name that's displayed in chats, it's not a permanent handle, and not visible to the people you are chatting with in Signal. A username is simply a way to initiate contact on Signal without sharing your phone number," the company explained.<br /><br />The users can also now enable a new, optional privacy setting.<br /><br />"Unless people have your exact unique username, they won't be able to start a conversation, or even know that you have a Signal account - even if they have your phone number," said the company<br /><br />These options are currently in beta and will be rolling out to everyone in the coming weeks.<br /><br />According to the company, once these features roll out, your phone number will no longer be visible in Signal to anyone running the latest version of Signal who doesn't already have it saved in their phone's contacts. <br /><br />"We're also introducing a setting that lets you control who can find you by your phone number on Signal," it added.<br /><br />As last reported, Signal had 40 million active users.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank">Xiaomi 14 to launch in India on March 7, to take on the Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 12</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/fire-boltt-noise-lead-indias-wearable-market-growth-which-sees-a-34-spike/articleshow/107813888.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/fire-boltt-noise-lead-indias-wearable-market-growth-which-sees-a-34-spike/articleshow/107813888.cms" target="_blank">Fire Boltt, Noise lead India’s wearable market growth which sees a 34% spike</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/kawasaki-z650rs-hits-the-road-with-a-price-tag-of-6-99-lakh/slidelist/107846400.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/kawasaki-z650rs-hits-the-road-with-a-price-tag-of-6-99-lakh/slidelist/107846400.cms" target="_blank">Kawasaki Z650RS hits the road with a price tag of ₹6.99 lakh</a></b><br />

Signal launches usernames to keep your phone number private

New <keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword>, The Delhi government on Tuesday issued fresh guidelines for handling end-of-life vehicles in public places, stipulating a penalty of Rs 10,000 for four-wheelers and Rs 5,000 for two-wheelers to be imposed on owners of impounded vehicles before being released. According to the guidelines, continuous enforcement drives should be conducted to phase out such vehicles from public places in the national capital and daily reports sent to the environment department for onward submission to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). <br /><br />The government has classified the release procedure of impounded vehicles under two categories -- those who wish to shift their vehicle out of Delhi-NCR and those who wish to park the vehicle in private spaces which are not shared parking places. <br /><br />"On plying and parking of ELVs in public place in NCT of Delhi, once impounded for the first time it can be released on the basis of submission of an undertaking that vehicle will not be plied or parked in any public place within the territory of Delhi and will be removed from the city...," the guidelines read <br /><br />"In case of 4-wheeler, a penalty of Rs 10,000 along with towing charge and parking fee as notified in <keyword id="20667071" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-maintenance-and-management-of-parking-places-rules" source="keywords">Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules</keyword>, 2019, shall be charged before releasing of such ELVs. In case of 2-wheeler, a penalty of Rs 5,000 along with towing charge and parking fee as notified in Parking Rules 2019 shall be charged...," it said. <br /><br />According to the guidelines, any end-of-life vehicle impounded for the second time and transport vehicles running on diesel fuel and aged more than 10 years old cannot be released. <br /><br />The application for the release of a vehicle along with necessary documents should be submitted within three weeks of impounding of the vehicle and an online platform will be developed for this purpose, it said. <br /><br />According to the guidelines, impounded vehicles will be scrapped in case of three scenarios -- non-submission of application for release within three weeks of impounding of the vehicle, rejection of application submitted for release and impounding of the same vehicle for the second time. <br /><br />All scrap value shall be paid through digital mode only to the bank account in the name of the vehicle owner within 15 days of the vehicle being accepted by the <keyword id="20663769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="registered-vehicles-scrapping-facility" source="keywords">Registered Vehicles Scrapping Facility</keyword>, it added.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank">Xiaomi 14 to launch in India on March 7, to take on the Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 12</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/fire-boltt-noise-lead-indias-wearable-market-growth-which-sees-a-34-spike/articleshow/107813888.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/fire-boltt-noise-lead-indias-wearable-market-growth-which-sees-a-34-spike/articleshow/107813888.cms" target="_blank">Fire Boltt, Noise lead India’s wearable market growth which sees a 34% spike</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/kawasaki-z650rs-hits-the-road-with-a-price-tag-of-6-99-lakh/slidelist/107846400.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/kawasaki-z650rs-hits-the-road-with-a-price-tag-of-6-99-lakh/slidelist/107846400.cms" target="_blank">Kawasaki Z650RS hits the road with a price tag of ₹6.99 lakh</a></b><br />

Delhi govt issues guidelines for handling end-of-life vehicles in public places

<ul><li>The Christmas and New Year brings the season of gifting.</li><li>Tech gifts add value to people’s lives.</li><li>In this list, we take a look at best budget wearables and audio gadgets that can be gifted.</li></ul>The festive season has begun with Christmas and New Year around the corner and so has the gifting season. While there’s no bad time to bring a smile to someone’s face, this season is looked at as the best time to treat your loved ones with a gift. If you are somebody looking for gift ideas during Christmas and New Year’s, you have come to the right place.<br /><br />Electronics and gadgets are something that goes well for anyone, as long as it’s adding some value to their lives. While tech gifts can range from a few hundred to lakhs, in this list we will suggest gifts under ₹5000. We have selected the best wearable and audio products you can gift your friends, family and employees. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here are the best gifting options under ₹5,000" comment="subhead" text="Here are the best gifting options under ₹5,000"><span data-til="noop">Here are the best gifting options under ₹5,000</span></cmsannotation><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Wearables" comment="subhead" text="Wearables"><span data-til="noop">Wearables</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>OnePlus Smart Band</strong><br />The OnePlus Smart Band is an affordable gifting option for those looking to gift wearable. It comes with a dual-colour strap that the user can switch between with ease, given its removable main tracker. It can monitor sleep, blood oxygen levels to help the user understand their health metrics. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07XY9BZPM" comment="amazoncard" text="B07XY9BZPM"><span data-til="noop">B07XY9BZPM</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Mi Smart Band 6</strong><br />The Mi Smart Band 6 is Xiaomi’s latest offering in the fitness band segment. It comes with a 1.56-inch AMOLED touch screen display. With the fitness band, users can track their blood oxygen levels and heart rate. You can take it for swimming as well, given its 5ATM water resistant rating. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B091G3FLL7" comment="amazoncard" text="B091G3FLL7"><span data-til="noop">B091G3FLL7</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>SilverX M5 Smart Band</strong><br />The SilverX M5 fitness band comes with a 1.1-inch AMOLED touch display and offers 5ATM water-resistance, making it suitable for swimming. It is said to monitor the stress and offer guided breathing exercises to lower the stress levels. Users can control the audio tracks on your phone, camera shutters and calls using this band.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08GXC2NTX" comment="amazoncard" text="B08GXC2NTX"><span data-til="noop">B08GXC2NTX</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>boAt Xtend Smartwatch</strong><br />For those of you looking to gift a smartwatch under a budget, this option from boAt can be a suitable choice. It comes with a built-in Alexa voice assistant. It features a large 1.69-inch square LCD display that monitors your heart rate and SPO2 to improve your overall health.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B096VF5YYF" comment="amazoncard" text="B096VF5YYF"><span data-til="noop">B096VF5YYF</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch</strong><br />The Noise Colorfit Pulse smartwatch offers cloud-based watch faces to make it feel more personalized. Users will be able to choose from 8 sports modes whenever they go out for their physical activities. It keeps a track of heart rate and SpO2 monitors to help you understand your health metrics better. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B097R34WKJ" comment="amazoncard" text="B097R34WKJ"><span data-til="noop">B097R34WKJ</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Fire-Boltt Ring Smartwatch</strong><br />This smartwatch lets the user make and receive calls directly from the watch using its in-built speaker and microphone. It can track sleep cycle, heart rate, blood oxygen level, fitness activities and more to help the user stay on course for your health goals. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B0972BQ2RS" comment="amazoncard" text="B0972BQ2RS"><span data-til="noop">B0972BQ2RS</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Audio" comment="subhead" text="Audio"><span data-til="noop">Audio</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>boAt Airdopes 441</strong> <br />If you are looking to gift TWS earbuds under a budget then Airdopes 441 are a great choice. The earphones have IPX7 rating for water and sweat resistance and come with a charging case. It claims to offer 25 hours of playtime with the charging case. It comes with a stereo calling feature and is said to offer an immersive listening experience with 6mm drivers.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B098XQXYCR" comment="amazoncard" text="B098XQXYCR"><span data-til="noop">B098XQXYCR</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>boAt Rockerz 255</strong><br />Another good option from boAt is that of a neckband. The boAt Rockerz 255 is lightweight and claims to deliver powerful sound with deep boosted bass. It comes with an IPX5 rating for water resistance. You can easily connect to the earphones with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07C2YXNQS" comment="amazoncard" text="B07C2YXNQS"><span data-til="noop">B07C2YXNQS</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Noise Air Buds</strong> <br />The TWS earbuds from Noise claim to deliver a balanced sound output. With its compact and lightweight design, it should fit securely in your ears. It has an IPX4 rating for water resistance and comes with a charging case. It can offer up to 20 hours of playtime with the charging case. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08H8Q5KLK" comment="amazoncard" text="B08H8Q5KLK"><span data-til="noop">B08H8Q5KLK</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>boAt Rockerz 400</strong><br />These lightweight headphones are easy to wear and carry with its foldable earcups. The boAt Rockerz 400 are the classic on-ear headphones that have been popular since their launch. It is said to offer a playtime of up to 8 hours on a single charge. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B01FSYQ2A4" comment="amazoncard" text="B01FSYQ2A4"><span data-til="noop">B01FSYQ2A4</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020)</strong><br />If you are looking to get a smart speaker with Alexa support from Amazon, then the Echo Dot (4th Gen) is a good choice. The speaker has a spherical design and claims to deliver an enhanced bass performance. It can be used as a standalone speaker or it can be paired with other speakers via Bluetooth.You can use it to control smart appliances at your home.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B08FB1S8HW" comment="amazoncard" text="B08FB1S8HW"><span data-til="noop">B08FB1S8HW </span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>JBL Go</strong><br />The JBL Go speakers can offer playtime of five hours on a single full charge. Users can wirelessly stream audio from the laptop or your mobile phone by connecting to the speaker via Bluetooth. The JBL GO speaker is compact and lightweight but is known to deliver premium sound quality.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B00TFGWAA8" comment="amazoncard" text="B00TFGWAA8"><span data-til="noop">B00TFGWAA8</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>boAt Stone 650</strong><br />The boAt Stone 650 offers a playback time of up to 7 hours and takes about 2 hours for a full charge. It features a mic for receiving calls. It is known to deliver immersive audio at a power-packed 10W output. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="B07NBWT3Z2" comment="amazoncard" text="B07NBWT3Z2"><span data-til="noop">B07NBWT3Z2</span></cmsannotation><br /><br />You can check out other tech gifting ideas <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/christmas-2021-gifting-ideas-for-your-loved-ones-like-smartphones-smartwatches-buds-headphones/articleshow/88430110.cms">here</a>.<br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/budget-smartphone-under-15000-for-gifting-this-christmas/slidelist/88469761.cms">Best budget smartphone for gifting this Christmas</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-lickable-television-concept-developed-in-japan-will-allow-viewers-to-taste-food-right-from-the-screen/articleshow/88467546.cms">The lickable television concept developed in Japan will allow viewers to taste food right from the screen</a><br />

Best wearables and audio gadgets for Christmas gift under ₹5000

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">Want.</p></div><p></p></div></div>If you want to, you can talk yourself out of a lot of things in life. But it doesn't last - you always come back to fundamentals.</p><p>Take the Porsche 911. I last drove one about two years ago, a 911 4S Cabriolet, and it was all it should have been, a "drive for your life car" that serves up impeccable performance with a German pedigree. It showed no indications of letting me down behind the wheel.</p><p>But then came the siren call of other machines. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens. Cadillac Vs and BMW Ms and Mercedes AMGs. Audi RS. A Jaguar F-Type. A couple of Aston Martins. Even a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-mini-john-cooper-works-is-the-scariest-car-ive-ever-driven-in-a-good-way-2016-7">mad little MINI John Cooper Works</a> and a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/alfa-romeo-4c-spider-review-mini-ferrari-2016-7">madder Alfa Romeo 4C</a>.</p><p>Most recently, a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/grand-sport-corvette-review-2016-9">Corvette Grand Sport that I concluded was the finest Vette I'd ever driven</a>.</p><p>I had gotten too far from the the 911. And then another one showed up.</p><p>The 911 is the current soul of Porsche. The sports car has been in continuous production since 1963 and after five decades, it represents the culmination of Teutonic problem solving - because as great as the 911 is, it's based on a funky basic design.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">There is no substitute?</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The flat-six-cylinder "boxer" engine, one of the auto world's truly legendary powerplants, sits behind the rear drive wheels. The 911 offers effectively the only example of this storied engine configuration on the market today (the rear-wheel-drive version of the Tesla Model S is technically a rear-engine car, but that's because its electric motor is lodged between the rear tires).</p><p>And it isn't hard to see why: in this day and age, nobody would engineer a high-performance car with the motor located so far aft. The thing is all tail, and in the 21st-century version of the 911, you have 375 horsepower (or more) being pumped to those rear tires. This contributes to some challenging natural driving characteristics, most involving the back end wanting to execute a quick pass of the front wheels.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911">Wikipedia</a></span></p><p class="caption">Straight outta the 1960s.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Countless enthusiasts, historians, journalists, and engineers have carped about this over the years and made it into a prime whipping point for the 911; every debate about whether the car is worth a wit begins, crankily, with that rear engine layout. What was Porsche they thinking?</p><p>But then again, the car maker has spent the past 50 years addressing this issue. And really, the problem was solved by the 1960s. So it's more accurate to say that Porsche has been steadily perfecting the 911 design for four and a half decades. And by "perfecting," I mean endlessly fussing over. The car has been tweaked and tweaked and tweaked and them tweaked some more.</p><p>So the 911 Targa 4S that landed in the driveway of BI's test HQ was the current culmination of this lengthy technical exercise.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider </span></p><p class="caption">Top down.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>For me, the 911 has always been the most self-contained of fast and fun cars. The Ferrari 458, for example, contains a screaming V8 located amidships. Press toward the redline and your eardrums could bleed. A Lamborghini with a V10 creates a wild symphony of exotic burps and burbles from its yowling V10. A Corvette Z06 has its 650-horsepower V8 parked up front, and the roar coming out of the exhaust pipes in the back is borderline unholy.</p><p>Against this rude cluster of supercars, the 911's behavior, sonic or otherwise, is subdued. Powerfully subdued, but subdued nonetheless. I'm not saying it's <em>quiet.</em> But it offers just subtle indication of power by comparison.</p><p>What really makes the 911 so great, and invariably leads me to conclude that its the finest car on earth and always will be, all happens when you slip behind the wheel. Obviously, this could just be <em>me, </em>but the car just feels right. Fire it up by turning - in the case of the Targa 4S - the starter switch on the left, and the flat-six springs to life. Get the seat and the steering wheel where you want them, and then off you go.</p><p>Our 911 lacked a manual transmission (there is a 7-speed available on some versions) for the ultimate bonding experience, but the dual-clutch setup (Porsche's outstanding PDK unit) plus 420-horsepower was swiftly a thing of beauty to drive.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">The level is high.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>A word on beauty. I never think of the 911 as being a particularly stunning car. I mean, just have a gander at an Aston Martin DB9 or a Ferrari 488 or a Lamborghini Huracán in a charcoal paint job. All gorgeous. But then I get a 911 in the drivewway and some sort of dormant lustful synapse sparks. True, the bug eyes will forever remind of the 911's spiritual predecessor, the Volkswagen Beetle. But I don't care. Drool-drool-drool. Want. One. Please.</p><p>The driving is effortless and hypnotic. You can't find anything wrong with the twin-turbo engine: playing around with the power band is like caressing a tailored velvet suit or sipping 25-year-old first-growth Bordeaux - supple, smooth, with an undercurrent of attitude. </p><p>The handling is predictive. Lay the car into a corner or a curve and settle it into a speed and it just guides you smoothly around. There's never a reason to get jerky with the throttle or to hammer the brakes (but hammering the brakes, the superb brakes, is plenty satisfying). On the freeway, you can hold it in fourth gear and not worry about dropping into third for some punch. The power is a spikeless continuum. There's no better car to practice performance-oriented driving with. Yes, it's abundantly forgiving. Yes, it gives up hundred of hp's to the competition. But it doesn't give up the sweetspot of car-ness - it defines it.</p><p>I hate saying goodbye to a 911. I probably should have bought one by now, given the effect on me that it predictably has. I always seem to balk at the prices (although you can easily find an older model for around $20,000). And when I get a crack at a new one - our Targa came in at close to $150,000 - I tell myself to forget about and it and go shopping for an ancient Mazda Miata.</p><p>But wow, what a car. I honestly don't know how anyone will ever do better. Stay tuned for our review, by the way. Then we'll give you the whole story.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/126000-porsche-911-targa-4s-offers-fresh-take-classic-design-2016-8">The $126,000 Porsche 911 Targa 4S offers a fresh take on a classic design</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="dncnUyNTE6Jin-OQ3gYwazIss5kU1igK" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

The Porsche 911 has convinced me that it's the greatest car ever made

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">Want.</p></div><p></p></div></div>If you want to, you can talk yourself out of a lot of things in life. But it doesn't last - you always come back to fundamentals.</p><p>Take the Porsche 911. I last drove one about two years ago, a 911 4S Cabriolet, and it was all it should have been, a "drive for your life car" that serves up impeccable performance with a German pedigree. It showed no indications of letting me down behind the wheel.</p><p>But then came the siren call of other machines. Ferraris, Corvettes, Lamborghinis, McLarens. Cadillac Vs and BMW Ms and Mercedes AMGs. Audi RS. A Jaguar F-Type. A couple of Aston Martins. Even a mad little MINI John Cooper Works.</p><p>I had gotten too far from the the 911. And then another one showed up.</p><p>The 911 is the current soul of Porsche. The sports car has been in continuous production since 1963 and after five decades, it represents the culmination of Teutonic problem solving - because as great as the 911 is, it's based on a funky basic design.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">There is no substitute?</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The flat-six-cylinder "boxer" engine, one of the auto world's truly legendary powerplants, sits behind the rear drive wheels. The 911 offers effectively the only example of this storied engine configuration on the market today (the rear-wheel-drive version of the Tesla Model S is technically a rear-engine car, but that's because its electric motor is lodged between the rear tires).</p><p>And it isn't hard to see why: in this day and age, nobody would engineer a high-performance car with the motor located so far aft. The thing is all tail, and in the 21st-century version of the 911, you have 375 horsepower (or more) being pumped to those rear tires. This contributes to some challenging natural driving characteristics, most involving the back end wanting to execute a quick pass of the front wheels.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911">Wikipedia</a></span></p><p class="caption">Straight outta the 1960s.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Countless enthusiasts, historians, journalists, and engineers have carped about this over the years and made it into a prime whipping point for the 911; every debate about whether the car is worth a wit begins, crankily, with that rear engine layout. Stupid, stupid Porsche. What were they thinking?</p><p>But then again, the car maker has spent the past 50 years addressing this issue. And really, the problem was solved by the 1960s. So it's more accurate to say that Porsche has been steadily perfecting the 911 design for four and a half decades. And by "perfecting," I mean endlessly fussing over. The car has been tweaked and tweaked and tweaked and them tweaked some more.</p><p>So the 911 Targa 4S that landed in the driveway of BI's test HQ was the current culmination of this lengthy technical exercise.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider </span></p><p class="caption">Top down.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>For me, the 911 has always been the most self-contained of fast and fun cars. The Ferrari 458, for example, contains a screaming V8 located amidships. Press toward the redline and your eardrums could bleed. A Lamborghini with a V10 creates a wild symphony of exotic burps and burbles from its yowling V10. A Corvette Z06 has its 650-horsepower V8 parked up front, and the roar coming out of the exhaust pipes in the back is borderline unholy.</p><p>Against this rude cluster of supercars, the 911's behavior, sonic or otherwise, is subdued. Powerfully subdued, but subdued nonetheless. I'm not saying it's <em>quiet.</em> But it offers just subtle indication of power by comparison.</p><p>What really makes the 911 so great, and invariably leads me to conclude that its the finest car on earth and always will be, all happens when you slip behind the wheel. Obviously, this could just be <em>me, </em>but the car just feels right. Fire it up by turning - in the case of the Targa 4S - the starter switch on the left, and the flat-six springs to life. Get the seat and the steering wheel where you want them, and then off you go.</p><p>Our 911 lacked a manual transmission (there is a 7-speed available on some versions) for the ultimate bonding experience, but the dual-clutch setup (Porsche's outstanding PDK unit) plus 420-horsepower was swiftly a thing of beauty to drive.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Matthew DeBord/BI</span></p><p class="caption">The level is high.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>A word on beauty. I never think of the 911 as being a particularly stunning car. I mean, just have a gander at an Aston Martin DB9 or a Ferrari 488 or a Lamborghini Huracán in a charcoal paint job. All gorgeous. But then I get a 911 in the drivewway and some sort of dormant lustful synapse sparks. True, the bug eyes will forever remind of the 911's spiritual predecessor, the Volkswagen Beetle. But I don't care. Drool-drool-drool. Want. One. Please.</p><p>The driving is effortless and hypnotic. You can't find anything wrong with the twin-turbo engine: playing around with the power band is like caressing a tailored velvet suit or sipping 25-year-old first-growth Bordeaux - supple, smooth, with an undercurrent of attitude. </p><p>The handling is predictive. Lay the car into a corner or a curve and settle it into a speed and it just guides you smoothly around. There's never a reason to get jerky with the throttle or to hammer the brakes (but hammering the brakes, the superb brakes, is plenty satisfying). On the freeway, you can hold it in fourth gear and not worry about dropping into third for some punch. The power is a spikeless continuum. There's no better car to practice performance-oriented driving with. Yes, it's abundantly forgiving. Yes, it gives up hundred of hp's to the competition. But it doesn't give up the sweetspot of car-ness - it defines it.</p><p>I hate saying goodbye to a 911. I probably should have bought one by now, given the effect on me that it predictably has. I always seem to balk at the prices (although you can easily find an older model for around $20,000). And when I get a crack at a new one - our Targa came in at close to $150,000 - I tell myself to forget about and it and go shopping for an ancient Mazda Miata.</p><p>But wow, what a car. I honestly don't know how anyone will ever do better. Stay tuned for our review, by the way. Then we'll give you the whole story.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/126000-porsche-911-targa-4s-offers-fresh-take-classic-design-2016-8">The $126,000 Porsche 911 Targa 4S offers a fresh take on a classic design</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="dncnUyNTE6Jin-OQ3gYwazIss5kU1igK" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

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