Skip advert
Advertisement

Manthey Racing-upgraded Porsche 911 GT2 RS breaks Nürburgring Nordschleife record, again

As the mods go up, the times come down – the road-legal production car record at the ‘Ring is broken again by the 911 GT2 RS.

Porsche has set yet another new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, breaking this time-honored barrier with the help of Manthey Racing and Porsche development driver Lars Kern. The new lap time of 6:43.3sec sets the mark for a road-legal production car and was achieved in a 991.2-generation 911 GT2 RS fitted with Manthey Racing’s latest upgrade kit. This is 4.747sec underneath the previous record, which was also held by the potent combination of a Manthey Racing-fettled GT2 RS and Lars Kern. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new kit comprises chassis, braking and aerodynamic upgrades which sit on the aforementioned GT2 RS, and are available through Porsche’s approved accessories program. The changes are subtle but effective, and start with new manually adjustable coilovers at both ends, each of which were set up specifically for the Nordschleife. 

There is a new pad compound used for the GT2’s standard PCCB ceramic brakes, supported by steel-encased brake lines that help with pedal feedback and driver confidence – important factors when approaching Aremberg at over 200mph. 

> Top 10 Nürburgring lap times 

Despite some already pretty intensive aero in the standard car, Manthey replaced both the front dive planes and rear wing with its own units, increasing downforce from 49kg to 70kg (at 124mph) at the front, and more than doubling the standard rear axle’s 93kg downforce rating to 200kg at the same speeds. This increase in downforce is also just as much for driver confidence and high-speed stability than it is for ultimate lateral grip. 

The sticky subject of rubber is also pretty clear-cut in this case, with Porsche utilising standard Michelin Cup 2R tyres on its 20- and 21-inch staggered magnesium wheel design. The rear wheels also feature carbonfibre wheel plates, which are just as much a visual Manthey Racing signature as they are functional.

Mechanically the GT2 RS is mostly unchanged, with the only upgrade being a water-jet cooling system for the intercoolers. As such, there’s no increase on the standard car’s 691bhp power figure. 

Whether the Manthey Racing GT2 can be considered a ‘standard’ road-legal car is up for discussion, but considering it can legally use a McDonalds drive through, it does indeed count.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival
Porsche 984 Junior
Features

Porsche 984 Junior – dead on arrival

This miniature marvel could have seen Porsche enter the ’90s with a truly affordable entry-level sports car
11 Jan 2024
Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering
Rennsport Reunion 2023
Features

Why Rennsport Reunion is the world's best Porsche gathering

It’s the world’s greatest gathering of racing Porsches. We join the legions of fans – and the legendary drivers and engineers – at Laguna Seca for the…
3 Dec 2023
Kamm 912c 2023 review – the £274,000 four-cylinder Porsche 911
Kamm 912c
Reviews

Kamm 912c 2023 review – the £274,000 four-cylinder Porsche 911

The flat-four Porsche 912 was once seen as the 911’s poor relation. Budapest-based firm Kamm aims to unlock its ultimate potential
10 Oct 2023
New Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport: the race car that you can't race
Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport
News

New Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport: the race car that you can't race

Taking Porsche’s latest GT3 race car as a base, the Rennsport is a derestricted, fully uncorked track car destined for 77 customers
5 Oct 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The Mercedes-AMG GT 43 is a four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive Porsche 911 rival
Mercedes-AMG GT 43 – front
News

The Mercedes-AMG GT 43 is a four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive Porsche 911 rival

The AMG GT has gained a 415bhp four-cylinder engine with F1-derived turbocharger tech, but it won't be sold in the UK
19 Mar 2024