Though the internet exaggerates these things, it can often feel like GT3 owners only fall into two very distinct camps. There are those that never drive them anywhere for fear of damaging resale value, and those who are in a pitlane every weekend like their new Porsche is an old Clio track car. The latter group might be interested in this, the new Manthey Performance Kit for the 992 GT3.
Previewed last year, the kit is now available as a Porsche Tequipment item, which means it can be ordered from Porsche Centres and keeps the standard warranty intact - which is obviously handy. As might be expected from a Manthey Porsche upgrade, it does the business as far as track driving is concerned: a GT3 with the upgrade has just clocked an official 6:55.737 Nordschleife lap, or 4.19 seconds faster than standard. On the same Michelin Cup 2 R tyres, and with an identical 510hp. Which is hugely impressive.
It’s hardly like the regular GT3 felt lacking in the chassis or aero department, either, which shows just what Manthey has achieved. The wider rear spoiler and bigger endplates are the most obvious visual cues, along with extended carbon diffuser fins; up front there’s a new spoiler and flics to further improve aero efficiency. Even those rear wheel discs are said to contribute.
For the chassis, Manthey has worked with Porsche to create four-way adjustable coilovers for the GT3, with compression and rebound tweakable without requiring tools. Spring rates have gone up just a tad, too - 10 per cent at the front, seven at the rear - which is said to improve on-limit handling “without making any compromises necessary when it comes to day-to-day usability.
There are also new forged wheels saving seven kilos, braided brake lines with “a very precise pressure point” and upgraded pads as well. Finally, the Performance Kit comes with a towing loop (because Manthey knows its customers) along with the option of “illuminated door sill guards with the Manthey logo to help personalise the car visually” (because Porsche knows its customers, too).
Exact prices haven’t been announced for the GT3 Manthey Performance Kit just yet, though it is now available for customers to order via their OPC. Deliveries are expected in the autumn, so hopefully there’ll be one or two track days for this year left to enjoy by then. And if you need a GT3 to attach the kit to, take a look here…
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