Porsche reclaims Nurburgring record

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit is now the fastest production car around the Nurburgring

Porsche has called on Manthey Racing to help it best Mercedes-AMG for Nurburgring bragging rights.

Last year Mercedes claimed the lap record for a production car around the famous Nordschleife layout with its AMG GT Black Series, with a time of 6:48.047secs. Not to be outdone, Porsche has rolled out its new 911 GT2 RS with Performance Kit, developed by Nurburgring specialist Manthey.

Porsche test driver Lars Kern lapped the 20km German circuit in 6:43.300secs to beat the AMG by 4.747 seconds. The company confirmed the time was set on road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.

Porsche vice president of 911 and 718, Frank-Steffen Walliser, said it was important to demonstrate the track potential of the brand’s sports cars.

Porsche beat Mercedes-AMG’s previous record

“Our GT customers often use their cars on circuit, such as on track days,” Walliser explained.

“The engineers at Manthey and Porsche have together developed a perfectly tuned package that allows the 911 GT2 RS to deliver even higher performance.”

The Manthey Performance Kit from Porsche Tequipment (to give it its full name) features a range of upgrades for the aerodynamic package, suspension and brakes.

The main changes are additional aero flaps on the front spoiler and a new rear spoiler, modified diffuser and lightweight magnesium alloy wheels with rear aero discs. Porsche claims this increases downforce at 200km/h from 49kg to 70kg on the front axle and from 93kg to 200kg on the rear axle.

Another major upgrade is the suspension, which is now a racing-style coilover set-up that allows for greater adjustment. The brakes are Porsche carbon ceramic discs, with new steel-encased brake lines for improved pedal feel.

“The individual components of the Performance Kit are precisely matched to one another,” explained Alexander Fabig, vice president Individualisation and Classic at Porsche AG. “They only become fully effective when they are all installed together. As a result, the kit is only available at the moment as a whole package. Individual offerings are currently being evaluated.”