It appears some customers just want more from their high-performance sports cars and Porsche is giving it to them.

The German sports car maker announced a new Manthey Kit for the latest 911 GT3 (992.2 generation), which gives the track weapon even more track firepower.

The kit was created by Manthey Racing GmbH, a German auto racing team and tuning company.

Porsche said the Manthey Kit goes beyond the levels of the Weissach Package, which is an optional Porsche performance upgrade for the car.

The new Manthey package also makes the car quicker at Nürburgring’s Nordschleife race track – more on that in a bit.

What is the GT3?

For those who aren’t familiar with the Porsche 911 model line, here’s a quick breakdown. The 911 is perhaps almost as noteworthy for its numerous versions as it is known for being a high-end sports car.

The model range starts with the base Carrera and then moves up with numerous versions offering various levels of increased performance.

At the top end of the model range, the 911 splits in two directions. There are the Turbo versions, which provide massive power while maintaining creature comforts – you could say these cars are fast and comfortable. Then there are the GT versions, which strip the cars down to the basics with an emphasis on track performance.

Nurburgring lap times

To explain the differences between the Turbo and GT models, let’s compare some Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times.

Nurburgring lap times are widely used as a measuring stick for vehicle performance due to the track’s difficulty and length. A lap time of less than seven minutes is spectacular. Porsche, which achieved its first sub-seven-minute lap time there back in 2013, has been doing it ever since like it’s no big deal.

Porsche ran its newest 911 Turbo S, which has 701 hp, at the track and achieved a time of 7:03.92 minutes.

The automaker achieved a Nurburgring lap time of 6:56.294 minutes with the 502-hp GT3 with Weissach Package, and that’s with a manual transmission.

Despite the car having nearly 200 fewer horses, the GT3 achieved a better run than the Turbo S.

Now, enter the Manthey Kit.

Manthey Racing ran the newest GT3 with Manthey Kit at the track and achieved a time of 6:52.981 minutes. Keep in mind, this car had an automatic transmission, which would also help the driver get around the track quicker. On the flip side, the Manthey team said track conditions weren’t ideal.

The new 992.2-generation 911 GT3 with Manthey Kit also happens to be 2.8 seconds faster at the track than the previous-generation GT3 with Manthey Kit.

What is the Manthey Kit?

So, let’s explore the fantastic pieces that make up the Manthey Kit.

Firstly, the kit gives the car a lot more downforce, which improves cornering speed.

At speeds of 285 km/h, the kit increases downforce by 540 kilograms. That’s in circuit mode, which is prohibited on public roads. In road mode, the kit produces 355 kilograms of downforce.

There are several changes to achieve increased downforce.

The air deflector elements on the underbody get extended, and the luggage comportment floor gets a cover, giving the car a completely smooth underbody.

The front lip is redesigned and special front diffusor fins in the front underbody and flaps at the sides of the car increase downforcea at the front axle.

The rear wing, which is wider, gets swan-neck mounts and a Gurney flap.

The end plates are enlarged and are curved inwards to improve airflow, and the rear diffuser now has longer fins, which increases downforce without increasing drag.

The rear wheels get carbon-fibre wheel covers, or aerodiscs, to optimize airflow.

Porsche said despite the increases to downforce, drag remains the same.

The suspension is also tuned for track use and the brakes are made for high-demand usage.

The car gets a four-way coilover suspension, which can be adapted for track use. Rebound and compression can be adjusted without tools, Porsche said.

Spring rates were adjusted moderately too, which improves handling at the car’s limit.

Porsche said the tweaks to the suspension give the car more mechanical grip and make it more stable, particularly over curbs.

The car also has available lightweight 20- and 21-inch forged wheels, which reduce unsprung mass by six kilograms.

The kit includes braided steel brake lines, which creates precise pressure and optimum brake control. Special racing brake pads are optional for the Porsche ceramic composite brake system, which is available on the GT3 with the Manthey Kit.

The kit also has various accessories available for further customization.

Manthey Kit availability

“For more than a year, we worked with the Porsche engineers to develop the new Manthey Kit for the 911 GT3 and did a lot of detailed work in the wind tunnel,” said Nicolas Raeder, managing director of Manthey Racing GmbH, in a news release. “We also tested it over several thousand kilometres on European racetracks and on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Since the track conditions were challenging at critical points when setting the official lap time, we will make another attempt next year in better weather to demonstrate the full potential of the Manthey Kit.”

The Manthey Kit for the 911 GT3 is expected to be available starting in March 2026. It is available through Porsche centres and maintains the car’s factory warranty. Pricing wasn’t provided.

In Canada, the Porsche 911 GT3 (without the Manthey Kit) starts at $277,349, which includes an MSRP of $245,000, plus estimated fees, levies and luxury tax.

For updates, visit the Porsche website.

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