Porsche finally introduces the Manthey Performance Upgrade for North American GT3 owners, alongside the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

Nobody ever complained the 911 GT3 was ever a slouch around any racetrack. However, for those who felt the supercar wasn’t at its best setting from factory, here’s Manthey Racing offering you the chance to unleash the true potential of your Porsche 911 GT3.

Before we delve into the details, what you need to know is that the upgrades are pretty significant. So much that the Manthey GT3 lapped the Nurburgring 4.19 seconds quicker than the “regular” GT3. That’s no small feat, given the 992 GT3 is already a weapon from the factory. So what has Manthey done to the GT3? Quite a lot, in fact, but not in the power department. Everything from chassis tweaks to improved aero management was the main agenda.

While the kit was already available for European customers, it took Porsche a year to decide whether it was worth bringing to the United States. We aren’t complaining, though. As they say, better late than never. So is the Manthey Kit worth it? Should you upgrade your existing GT3 to Manthey spec or go one up and get the 992 GT3 RS? Let’s find out.

Manthey Performance Upgrades Elevate The Porsche 911 GT3 Experience

With all the Manthey upgrades on board, the GT3 was able to lap the Nurburgring in 6:55.737— over four seconds faster than the standard 911 GT3. Previously, the Manthey Performance Kit was only available for European customers. But now, Porsche finally decided to introduce the package to customers in America. It aint cheap, though.

In terms of upgrades, the changes done are mostly chassis tweaks and aerodynamics improvements. At the front, you’ll find a larger splitter and canards that work in tandem with the reworked underbody to generate more downforce over the front axle.

At the rear, you’ll notice the swan neck wing has become wider and now features a Gurney flap. Moreover, the end plates are larger, and the wing is placed at a steeper angle. Additionally, the Manthey Performance Kit features an extended carbon fiber rear diffuser and aerodiscs on the rear wheels. All this translates to better aerodynamic efficiency over the standard GT3.

As for the chassis, Porsche has developed a unique four-way coilover suspension in collaboration with Manthey. These are adapted for the circuit and feature struts that can be set to four positions, with adjustable rebound and compression settings requiring no special tools. Also, you get revised spring rates— 10 percent higher at the front and 7 percent lower at the rear.

The Manthey kit also includes steel braided brake lines, special racing brake pads (optional), and a towing loop. Other visual upgrades include a set of staggered 20 and 21-inch lightweight forged rims, door projectors, and illuminated door sill guards with the Manthey logo. Also, if you’re wondering, the kit will not void the warranty.

Manthey 911 GT3 Gets No Power Upgrades For $60,000

The Manthey GT3 comes with the same 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six, which is a revised and homologated version of the GT3 race car. Power remains unchanged at 502 hp and 346 lb-ft of torque. We’d pair the motor to Porsche’s slick six-speed manual gearbox. However, this is a no-cost option, and for those who prefer a swift dual-clutch unit, Porsche offers a seven-speed PDK automatic as well.

The GT3’s engine alone is a marvel that sings all the way up to 9000 rpm. Couple that with the manual gearbox, and the whole experience is nothing short of magnificent. However, from what we know, the 4.0L screamer is more suited with the PDK. As Chris Harris points out, you get the best out of your Manthey GT3 when the gears are automated. Although, the drive would be more engaging if you go ahead with the six-speed manual. But wait, the Manthey experience doesn’t come cheap.

The Manthey performance package is offered with a starting MSRP of $57,300. That’s before including the additional $15,500 for the lightweight forged wheels. Of course, this does not include the car if you couldn’t tell that already. That’ll set you back another $180,000, bringing the total to over $250,000 for a Manthey-equipped 992 Porsche 911 GT3. This begs the question, should you upgrade your GT3 or get a GT3 RS, which costs almost the same as a Manthey GT3?

Porsche’s Plan To Make Americans Take The Manthey GT3 Leap

Before we answer the GT3 RS v/s Manthey GT3 question, it’s worth mentioning that Porsche is allowing drivers to experience the Manthey GT3 for a price of $1,675. Through the Porsche Experience Centers in Atlanta and Los Angeles, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to compare a 911 GT3 with and without the Manthey Performance Kit. The 90-minute session should give you an understanding of how they perform, especially when there are multiple modules that highlight the upgrades. Moreover, those who opt for the Los Angeles experience center can extend the program to a four-hour session.

Now, back to the question. We reckon the Manthey upgrade is the closest thing to a GT3 RS but without the moniker. It’s worth noting that Porsche doesn’t offer RS models with a manual box, so that makes the Manthey kit quite appealing. At the end of the day, Porsches—especially the GT products—are quite an engineering feat, with demand usually on the higher side. Ask anyone who tried ordering a Porsche GT car, and they’ll tell you how difficult it is to get an allocation. It is never about the money when it comes to exclusive Porsches.

The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS pays tribute to the Carrera RS package – rear quarter view outsideVia: Porsche
There’s no doubting that the Manthey GT3 would be one hell of a machine on the track and an equally compelling prospect on the road. This duality is where Porsches excels over its rivals. The 911 GT3 is among the most versatile cars in its class. In comfort mode, the GT3 is as good as any hot hatch and is more than a worthy companion for your weekend shopping.

The GT3’s impeccable refinement and engaging driving experience are enough to woo anybody. If you fancy turning that to eleven, the Manthey upgrade is one way to spruce things up. Of course, that’s until the Manthey GT3 RS is unveiled.

Who Is Manthey Racing?

Olaf Manthey started Manthey Racing in 1996 after a fairly successful racing career in the DTM series. His company continued his tradition, bagging countless victories in several endurance racing events. Manthey Racing came to international attention thanks to its activities in the VLN Endurance Championship Nurburgring and the WEC world championship, among other racing events.

According to Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, “Manthey stands for performance at the racetrack, pure and simple. They are not only fierce competitors in motorsport, but revered experts in aerodynamics and vehicle setup.” Manthey has been responsible for running the GT Works competition for Porsche Motorsport since 2013. Porsche owns a 51 percent share in the company, which has around 200 employees and is based in Meuspath near the Nurburgring.