I think Porsche has an obsession with setting new records. Or maybe it is just obsessed with breaking its own records made by the same model of car? Anyhoo, the German marque recently set another record at Nürburgring, specifically the Nordschleife, with a Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit.
The lap record set by Porsche development driver Lars Kern did not merely shave a couple of seconds off the previous fastest lap set by the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package; it was a full 12 seconds faster and wiped the previous record in the “electric executive cars” class by a whole nine seconds.
This new record was made possible by, you guessed it, the new Manthey Kit. It features extensive aerodynamic, suspension, and powertrain modifications for the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package. The aerodynamic measures alone increase downforce by more than three times compared to the standard model. The suspension and drive system have also been optimized.
About the Manthey Kit
The performance kit, developed in close collaboration between the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach and Manthey engineers in Meuspath, focuses on increasing aerodynamic downforce, beefing up the drivetrain, and improving handling, specifically the suspension. The driving dynamics systems have been retuned and are designed for the lightweight wheels developed for the Manthey Kit, fitted with special track tires (Pirelli P ZERO Trofeo RS).
So how much downforce, you ask? Well, at 200 km/h (124 mph), total downforce has increased from 95 to 310 kilograms (209 to 684 pounds). And when traveling at the top speed, which has increased from 305 to 310 km/h (190 to 193 mph), the Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit produces about 740 kilograms (1,631 pounds) of total downforce. Thus enabling it to execute higher cornering speeds while ensuring optimum vehicle stability—all of which afforded it the ability to set a new record.
The kit also optimizes the high-voltage battery, control unit, and pulse inverters, increasing the maximum discharge current while driving from 1,100 to 1,300 amps. The result is a 20 kW bump in system output, bringing it to 600 kW. Meanwhile, the max torque when using Launch Control rises by 30 Nm, to 1,270 Nm. The 10-second power boost known as Attack Mode now delivers up to 130 kW. The 10-second output, therefore, temporarily increases to 730 kW instead of 700 kW.
The new record
Anyhoo, Lars drove the electric GT sports car equipped with the Manthey Kit around the 20.832 km (12.944-mile) circuit in the Eifel region in 6:55.533 minutes. And Lars and Porsche did not pull this off without a proper witness. A notary present on site certified the lap time.
Pricing, availability, and more info
The Manthey Kit is available for the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package in three variations, each going for a cool US$128,993, plus tax. You can learn more about the Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit here.
Images: Porsche.
