Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey Racing Unveiled
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey Racing Unveiled
News, Porsche
24 Nov 2024
Images by
Porsche Newsroom
Extreme aerodynamics and retuned suspension elevate the on-track performance of the 992 GT3 RS, thanks to Manthey Racing. Aaron Stokes explores the upgrades.
Aaron Stokes
By
F
Extreme aerodynamics and retuned suspension elevate the on-track performance of the 992 GT3 RS, thanks to Manthey Racing. Aaron Stokes explores the upgrades.
For 911 GT3 RS owners who feel their car isn’t quite track-focused enough, fear not. The outfit behind five GT-class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and seven outright wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours has unveiled its upgrade package for the halo model of Porsche’s GT range.
At first glance, it may seem like a generous helping of racing-inspired design cues sprinkled across the car, but form does follow function. The extreme aerodynamics package generates more than one tonne of downforce at 177mph, thanks in part to a new rear spoiler with an updated wing profile, and an enlarged rear diffuser. These work in tandem with redesigned wheel arch Gurney flaps and four dive planes on the front bumper. Another striking change with the Manthey Racing kit is the replacement of the rear window. Instead, there’s a carbon fibre panel with a shark fin that is 25% lighter than the window it replaces. The shark fin works alongside six roof fins to enhance cornering stability and divert warm air from the front radiator.
In addition to the aerodynamic changes, Manthey has retuned the semi-active coilovers to manage the extra downforce; the spring rate has been increased by 30% on the front axle and 15% on the rear. To assist the active elements of the GT3 RS suspension, four wheel sensors and three body-acceleration sensors ensure the dampers adapt even more precisely than before. The kit also includes new shock absorbers with two separate valves for rebound and compression, allowing independent control. In track mode, the driver can adjust the suspension via rotary dials on the steering wheel.
Stopping power has been enhanced with steel-sheathed brake lines to increase responsiveness under braking. For cars equipped with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), racing brake pads designed for track-day use are available. Further personalisation options include carbon fibre illuminated door sills, Manthey puddle lights and carbon fibre aero discs for the rear wheels. Towing eyes, available in red, black or yellow, are offered as an accessory for track use.
While the suspension and aerodynamics upgrades improve circuit performance, the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine remains untouched. Based on the soon-to-be-facelifted 992 GT3 RS, Manthey Racing variants will still develop 517bhp and 343lb-ft (465Nm) of torque, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Development cars have been spotted at the Nürburgring for some time, with the upgrade kit the result of two years’ work by Manthey Racing. So far, there has been no official lap record attempt by Manthey on the Nordschleife, with the current yardstick set by the Mercedes-AMG One. Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing, said: “So far, weather conditions have prevented us from achieving an official lap time on the Nordschleife. We want to make up for this at the next possible opportunity. Our data promises a significant improvement in lap times compared to the standard 911 GT3 RS.”
For context, the standard car lapped the ‘Ring in 6 minutes and 49.328 seconds. Could we be seeing the next contender for the lap record? It has 20 seconds to make up to match the AMG One but needs only four seconds to eclipse the time set by the 991 GT2 RS, also enhanced by Manthey Racing. We expect a timed lap attempt in early 2025 to coincide with the first customer deliveries.
Order books are already open, with the upgrade package priced from £99,000 – significantly more than the Weissach Package for the “standard” GT3 RS. As the kit has been engineered in collaboration with Porsche, it does not affect the manufacturer warranty. Until the facelifted 992 GT3 gets the RS treatment, Manthey Racing’s creation stands as the most track-focused 911 available.
Extreme aerodynamics and retuned suspension elevate the on-track performance of the 992 GT3 RS, thanks to Manthey Racing. Aaron Stokes explores the upgrades.
For 911 GT3 RS owners who feel their car isn’t quite track-focused enough, fear not. The outfit behind five GT-class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and seven outright wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours has unveiled its upgrade package for the halo model of Porsche’s GT range.
At first glance, it may seem like a generous helping of racing-inspired design cues sprinkled across the car, but form does follow function. The extreme aerodynamics package generates more than one tonne of downforce at 177mph, thanks in part to a new rear spoiler with an updated wing profile, and an enlarged rear diffuser. These work in tandem with redesigned wheel arch Gurney flaps and four dive planes on the front bumper. Another striking change with the Manthey Racing kit is the replacement of the rear window. Instead, there’s a carbon fibre panel with a shark fin that is 25% lighter than the window it replaces. The shark fin works alongside six roof fins to enhance cornering stability and divert warm air from the front radiator.
In addition to the aerodynamic changes, Manthey has retuned the semi-active coilovers to manage the extra downforce; the spring rate has been increased by 30% on the front axle and 15% on the rear. To assist the active elements of the GT3 RS suspension, four wheel sensors and three body-acceleration sensors ensure the dampers adapt even more precisely than before. The kit also includes new shock absorbers with two separate valves for rebound and compression, allowing independent control. In track mode, the driver can adjust the suspension via rotary dials on the steering wheel.
Stopping power has been enhanced with steel-sheathed brake lines to increase responsiveness under braking. For cars equipped with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), racing brake pads designed for track-day use are available. Further personalisation options include carbon fibre illuminated door sills, Manthey puddle lights and carbon fibre aero discs for the rear wheels. Towing eyes, available in red, black or yellow, are offered as an accessory for track use.
While the suspension and aerodynamics upgrades improve circuit performance, the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine remains untouched. Based on the soon-to-be-facelifted 992 GT3 RS, Manthey Racing variants will still develop 517bhp and 343lb-ft (465Nm) of torque, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Development cars have been spotted at the Nürburgring for some time, with the upgrade kit the result of two years’ work by Manthey Racing. So far, there has been no official lap record attempt by Manthey on the Nordschleife, with the current yardstick set by the Mercedes-AMG One. Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing, said: “So far, weather conditions have prevented us from achieving an official lap time on the Nordschleife. We want to make up for this at the next possible opportunity. Our data promises a significant improvement in lap times compared to the standard 911 GT3 RS.”
For context, the standard car lapped the ‘Ring in 6 minutes and 49.328 seconds. Could we be seeing the next contender for the lap record? It has 20 seconds to make up to match the AMG One but needs only four seconds to eclipse the time set by the 991 GT2 RS, also enhanced by Manthey Racing. We expect a timed lap attempt in early 2025 to coincide with the first customer deliveries.
Order books are already open, with the upgrade package priced from £99,000 – significantly more than the Weissach Package for the “standard” GT3 RS. As the kit has been engineered in collaboration with Porsche, it does not affect the manufacturer warranty. Until the facelifted 992 GT3 gets the RS treatment, Manthey Racing’s creation stands as the most track-focused 911 available.
AUTHOR
Photography by;
Porsche Newsroom
Published on:
24 November 2024
OUR PRINT MAGAZINE
LATEST ARTICLES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aaron Stokes
Staff Writer
Amateur photographer, self-confessed Aston Martin addict, and lifelong model car collector, Aaron has a keen eye on the future of the automotive world. He keeps his finger on the pulse by indulging in far too many YouTube reveal videos. Armed with a degree in Journalism, he’s now found his place in the writer’s seat, turning passion into prose.
RELATED ARTICLES
Porsche 911 Carrera T Returns in 992.2 Format
Aaron Stokes
|
31 October 2024
Since introducing the 992.2 in May, Porsche has slowly released its facelifted models. The latest to undergo the refresh is the highly acclaimed 911 T. Sitting between the base Carrera and the S, the T arguably offers the purist 911 driving experience. Aaron Stokes takes us through the changes to our favourite 911 outside the GT range.