Porsche 911 GT3 Levels Up With a New Manthey Kit. Watch It Destroy the Nürburgring

This hardware update, which includes optimized aerodynamics and suspension enhancements, allows it to shave 2.76 seconds off the Nürburgring lap time.

Porsche remains relentless in its quest to sharpen the 911 for track use and trim its lap times. Even the already hardcore GT3 has room for improvement. They prove this without necessarily stepping up to the RS model. The testing ground is the Nürburgring. With help from Manthey, of which Porsche has held a majority stake since 2013, the track-focused machine sharpens its claws even further without touching the engine.

The facelifted 911 GT3 (992.2) now offers an optional Manthey kit. This features those nifty carbon-fiber aero discs on the rear wheels to reduce drag. They create the illusion of an asymmetrical wheel design. The forged wheel set included in the package uses 20-inch fronts and 21-inch rears, shedding 13.2 pounds compared to the original set.

Competition Hardware and Fine Tuning

The track-ready machine can be fitted, at extra cost, with optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. These tires are street-legal. Manthey also adds braided steel brake lines. Furthermore, a four-way coilover suspension with four-way adjustable struts is included. Best of all, they do not require tools to tweak.

The 911 GT3 was already an aerodynamic monster. Now, the model clings to the road even more. The massive rear wing is wider and gains a gurney flap. The enlarged end plates also curve inward to improve airflow. Consequently, Manthey revised the rear diffuser by extending the vertical fins.

Optimized Aerodynamics: From Street to Track

There is more beneath the car’s surface. The underbody has been further optimized to function as a large aero element. The turning vanes stretch about 59 inches, an increase of roughly 39 inches. To enable this, Manthey added a cover beneath the cargo-area floor to smooth the underbody.

Elsewhere, the front spoiler lip extends nearly half an inch farther than before. The front section of the underbody incorporates new diffuser fins. Front bumper canards round out the aero package. The 911 GT3 with the Manthey kit generates 782 pounds of downforce in its most road-friendly configuration. That figure rises to 1,190 pounds when dialled up for a track-only setup.

The Nürburgring Confirmed the Improvement

The updated GT3 with the Manthey kit slices 2.76 seconds off its Nürburgring lap time, compared to the pre-facelift model equipped with the same kit. DTM champion Ayhancan Güven piloted the car, fitted with the optional sticky tires, to a 6:52.9 lap.

The optional package arrives in the United States next spring. The best part is that it won’t void the car’s factory warranty. More than 40 Manthey-certified Porsche dealers nationwide can perform the conversion. Although pricing has not been announced, the kit for the 992.1 model started at $57,300 (including labor costs, but excluding the $15,500 forged wheels). Manthey also offers kits for the 911 GT3 RS and the previous-generation 911 GT2 RS.