Manthey celebrates 30 years with 718 and 911 MR 30
A larger Porsche stake in Manthey means only one thing - bring on the limited editions!
One of the better bits of news to come from Porsche’s drastic Sportwagenschmiede announcement this week was an increased stake in Manthey. The collaboration between the two companies has produced some epic sports cars over the years, the events where owners can drive them are superb and, well, who doesn't love an aerodisc? More very racy Manthey-enhanced Porsches, the kind of cars that get to the very essence of why Porsche is so loved, sounds great to us.
This is the beginning of the new era, marking 30 years of Manthey. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 (they’ll have to reduce badge font) and 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 will be extremely rare, with just 15 units of each to be made, and rather more special than the typical limited edition fare: Manthey says both ‘exemplify an approach that runs through Manthey’s 30-year history and that pushes the technical boundaries beyond motorsport regulations.’
And while we're all fairly familiar with wild 911 race cars, there’s never been a Cayman quite this extreme. Those brilliantly beefed up arches are carbon fibre, and despite the additional bodywork - note the downforce-boosting diffuser, flics and spoiler - this actually weighs a handful of kilos less than a standard Clubsport. The wheels are said to contribute to the slimming down as well. And when did you ever see such rude camber on a Cayman?
Cooling has been improved for the MR 30, too; a Manthey limited edition is rather more focused on the important stuff than the headrests adorned with an anniversary logo. New brake air ducts and a central radiator setup have already been tested on the Nurburgring, and not just on an industry day either - but in a top 20 finish at the 24 Hours. They don’t do things by halves at Manthey.
The 911 is further proof. While it has Cup in its name, there’s a fair bit of GT3 R in its makeup, with the 560hp 4.2 in its bum rather than the usual 4.0-litre road car motor. It’s an approach Manthey has employed before, with previous Cup MR 911s refining aero, suspension and cooling for ‘a performance level between the 911 GT3 Cup and the 911 GT3 R’, so it’s been brought back for the 30th anniversary. When it looks as cool as this, it’s a shame just 15 will exist.
The MR overhaul includes recycled carbon for the wings, bonnet, arches fit for an RWB build and the rear spoiler. Like the Cayman (and some recent 911 racers), there’s a central radiator that’s less susceptible to damage should you nudge the car in front (and it improves exhaust flow). The broader arches aren’t just for show, either, as they house tracks 20mm wider at the front and 50mm wider at rear, including lightweight wheels that shave precious unsprung kilos. Behind them sit six-way adjustable coilovers and tweaked kinematics. A wider, lighter, more powerful 911 Cup car optimised by Manthey promises to be very special indeed. Indeed both Cup and Cayman are said to be ‘the most advanced versions to date of two vehicle ranges that have shaped the Race Cars division for many years.’ Yes please.
In truth, even unadorned the changes for both these would mark them out - they really are properly outrageous Porsche race cars. But just to be sure, there’s a 30th anniversary livery that pays homage to Manthey’s colours - as well as offering a look at ‘a design language that will help shape the company’s future’ - plus a smattering of both ‘30 Years Anniversary’ and ‘30 Years Manthey’ logos. Only thing better than one big birthday badge is two…
Helmut Brakhage, Race Cars Director at Manthey (cool job), said: "The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 is the flagship of the mid-engine racing car that has enjoyed success for over 10 years. A vehicle concept that we were privileged to help shape and which we are celebrating appropriately at the end of the model range. With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30, we are continuing the development of our Cup MR vehicles. The increase in engine displacement gives the car a further boost in performance and rounds off the overall package of aerodynamics and lightweight construction. In doing so, we are linking the development work from the company’s beginnings with the present day. Both car models incorporate the insights we have gained over the last thirty years and embody what has been our focus ever since: maximum drivability and pure emotion.”
Both are making their debut this weekend at the Hockenheim DTM final, with the application window to get one open until the end of this month. Expect it to be extremely oversubscribed, especially given this looks like being the end of combustion Cayman race cars as we know them. Manthey will make the final customer selection, after which will come deliveries: the Clubsport from as soon as next month, then the Cup MR from early ‘27. Track days will never be the same again for the lucky few…
If you have the funds and you want to do track days, then maybe it’s for you, would look a bit too extreme for road use, in my opinion.
If you have the funds and you want to do track days, then maybe it s for you, would look a bit too extreme for road use, in my opinion.
sadly in those days, lots of traffic and cams etc, its not very useful and difficult to have fun in such on normal roads.
If you have the funds and you want to do track days, then maybe it s for you, would look a bit too extreme for road use, in my opinion.
sadly in those days, lots of traffic and cams etc, its not very useful and difficult to have fun in such on normal roads.
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