From Road & Track · Matt Farah · · 2m
Porsche Manthey Kits: Track Gains Without Power
Manthey upgrades boost Porsche GT3 lap times by 0.6 seconds without adding power.
In brief
Manthey upgrades boost Porsche GT3 lap times by 0.6 seconds without adding power. Porsche's Manthey track kits improve lap times by 0.6 seconds per lap on circuits like Valencia without extra power or reduced fuel efficiency. Originally reported by Road & Track.
Manthey's 30th Anniversary
Porsche's in-house racing division Manthey celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Manthey's Origins
Manthey was once a separate organization that purchased and ran Porsche race cars in Germany's DTM and at the Nürburgring 24.
Porsche's Stake
Porsche took a majority stake in Manthey in 2013 and now produces specialized track packages for road cars.
Track Performance
The GT3 RS MR is 0.6 seconds quicker per lap than the standard car at Valencia with Timo Bernhard driving.
Lap Time Gains
The lesser GT3 Weissach is one second quicker per lap once fitted with a Manthey kit.
Street Legal Kits
Manthey kits are sold as dealer-installed accessories with factory warranty protections.
Track Focus
The GT3 Weissach bested the Mustang GTD around Thunderhill while down nearly 350 hp.
Aerodynamic Changes
Manthey triples the length of the aerodynamic vanes underneath the car, creating a nose-to-tail element.
Downforce Boost
The kit produces 780 pounds of downforce at 177 mph with the rear wing and aero discs.
Track Handling
The car improves poise when aggressively taking curbs without requiring high speed.
Braking Performance
The pads allow braking up to 50 meters later at the end of long straights.
GT3 RS Comparison
The standard GT3 RS is two seconds quicker than the Manthey GT3 with the same power.
Aero Package
The GT3 RS produces 1895 pounds of downforce at 177 mph, 50 percent more than Manthey's GT3.
Driver Skill
The Manthey RS requires driver skill to extract incremental improvements without compromising handling.
Track Results
Timo Glock got the MR around the track six-tenths quicker than the regular RS without extra power.
The takeaway
Porsche's Manthey track kits improve lap times by 0.6 seconds per lap on circuits like Valencia without extra power or reduced fuel efficiency.
