It’s more than four seconds quicker than a stock GT3 around the Nurburgring.
The Porsche 911 GT3 has never been considered slow. It’s never been an ineffective track tool and has satisfied countless buyers over the years. But for some people, it’s lacking just a little bit of performance. That’s why you get the GT3 RS, but what if you can’t wait for the latest evolution of rear-engine precision and are no longer satisfied by the exhilaration that your stock GT3 provides? That’s where Porsche-affiliated tuner Manthey comes in.
In December of last year, the company revealed a new Performance Kit for the car, and now a GT3 equipped with the kit has taken to the Nurburgring to prove its worth, shattering the regular GT3’s lap time in the process, with Porsche works driver Kevin Estre piloting the modified GT sports car.
Porsche reports that the kit has allowed the Manthey GT3 to lap the Nordschleife in just 6:55.737 – 4.19 seconds quicker than a 911 GT3 without the kit can do, with both cars running Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. The Manthey car produces no more power and focuses on aerodynamics and chassis upgrades. Porsche engineers worked with Manthey’s people to create the kit and it is available through Porsche Centers, meaning you don’t have to worry about your warranty.
So what are these changes? Well, a larger spoiler lip and side flaps on the front of the car work together with modified underbody air guides to increase front axle downforce, while the rear sees that spectacular swan-neck wing made wider and further enhanced with the addition of a tear-off edge, or Gurney flap. The endplates are larger too, and the angle of attack has been increased while the fins of the rear diffuser are longer and now made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. This material is used for the aerodiscs on the rear wheels too.
To cope with the added strain of so much more downforce, the Manthey GT3 has specially-developed four-way coilover suspension “that can be adapted for use on the circuit.” The struts can be adjusted to four positions, and the rebound and compression rates can be adjusted without using tools. The front spring rates are now 10% higher while those at the rear are 7% lower. Steel braided brake lines are standard, but racing brake pads can be optionally included. Additionally, a set of optional 20-/21-inch lightweight forged wheels reduce unsprung mass by 7.3 kilograms (around 16.1 pounds). These can be had in Brilliant Silver, Dark Silver, Neodyme, and satin-finish Black. Sticking with aesthetics, door projectors and illuminated door sill guards with the Manthey logo complete the look. A towing loop is also part of the kit.
Pricing for Europe is listed at €37,911 plus Value Added Tax (around $40,500), and at present, the kit is only available in Europe, with deliveries scheduled to begin in autumn of this year. That said, “this package is being considered for the US market,” says Porsche.
