Porsche's current 911 GT3 RS is the closest thing to the iconic Widowmaker, as the Zuffenhausen brand hasn't made a new GT2 RS version of the 992 series. With Manthey Racing's help, however, this model is bound to write history – or to at least try and do that.
You see, before the Mercedes-AMG One was crowned the king of the Nurburgring (Nordschleife), having lapped it in 6:30.705, it was the 991 GT2 RS MR that held on to that title with 6:38.835. But Manthey and Porsche have a new ace up their sleeve in the shape of the (992) 911 GT3 RS MR.
We first spotted the madly-tuned supercar a few weeks ago while it was doing its thing at the racetrack, and for the latest leg of testing, it has received some upgrades. Compared to its stock self, Manthey's new 911 GT3 RS has a redesigned apron, makes do without the flaps on the front bumper, and has a triple-wing element out back with a large fin connecting it to the roof.
Presumably made of magnesium, the wheels are also new. Nevertheless, since this model is available with magnesium alloys as a factory option, it is yet unknown if they are the work of Porsche or Manthey. We suspect the latter company has left its mark on them, but that's just our two cents.
Photo: Baldauf
In addition to the revised aero that makes it look like a veritable racer, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS MR boasts upgraded suspension and beefy brakes. The old one came with adjustable KW coilovers, braided brake lines, new brake pads, and a few other mechanical upgrades, though we cannot really put our finger on the changes found beneath the skin of the upcoming one.
All upgrades are meant to make the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS by Manthey faster at the racetrack without making it lose its street-legal homologation. In order for Manthey Racing to succeed, the track-ready supercar needs to complete a lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife quicker than the F1-powered hypercar, the Mercedes-AMG One.
The stock Porsche 911 GT3 RS was clocked at 6:44.848 seconds, or almost two and a half seconds faster than the old 911 GT2 RS with no modifications. As a result, Manthey and Porsche have a lot of work to do in order to make it 14 seconds faster. If they succeed, it will be a very impressive technological achievement and one that will put a real hypercar in its corner with some half the power.
When will it challenge the Nurburgring record? Probably soon, as we think the testing and fine-tuning phase of the build should come to an end in a few weeks or perhaps months.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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