Why Dropping $54,000 on the Manthey Racing Kit for Your Porsche 718 GT4 RS is Pure Genius
For those Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS owners whose appetites for speed and precision aren't quite sated, there's an exhilarating solution that's just entered the American market. Enter Manthey Racing, a Nürburgring-based powerhouse known both for its dominance in motorsports and its intimate development work on Porsche's road-going counterparts. This collaboration has birthed the Manthey Racing handling kit, a package that transforms an already potent machine into something otherworldly. While the price tag of $53,946 (excluding installation) might make your wallet wince, let's dive into why this package could be the ultimate upgrade for the discerning enthusiast.
The kit serves up a tantalizing array of enhancements aimed squarely at elevating the 718 Cayman GT4 RS's track prowess. At the heart of this transformation are the manually adjustable coilovers, set to replace the stock suspension components, ensuring that drivers can dial in their perfect setup. Complementing this is an upgraded braking system, boasting stainless-steel lines and new pads, aimed at delivering uncompromising stopping power. But it's in the aerodynamic enhancements where the kit truly shines - a new front underbody panel, dive planes, a chunkier rear wing, and aero discs all work in concert to slash through the air with devastating efficiency. Opt for the larger carbon-fiber Gurney flap, and you're looking at downforce at 124 mph skyrocketing from a mere 196 pounds to an astonishing 372 pounds.
But does it translate to real world performance? The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. On the formidable curves of the Nürburgring Nordschliefe, these upgrades have demonstrated a staggering six-second improvement in lap times, under the expert hands of Porsche's factory driver, Jörg Bergmeister. Yet, it's not merely about raw numbers. It's about how these enhancements intensify the driving experience, making the already thrilling GT4 RS feel like an entirely new beast.
With the automotive world gradually shifting towards electrification, the 718 GT4 RS MR stands as a testament to the pinnacle of internal combustion engine (ICE) sports cars. It harnesses the same 4.0-liter, 9,000-rpm flat-six found in the GT3, but with an even wilder intake system that pipes air through the interior. Combine this raw power with the Manthey Racing kit, and you've got a vehicle that's not just capable of blistering track times but is a visceral, engaging masterpiece of automotive engineering.
Is it worth the investment? For the Porsche purist seeking the ultimate in performance and exclusivity, the answer is a resounding yes. This isn't just about owning a faster car; it's about owning a piece of engineering marvel that pushes the boundaries of what's possible on four wheels. So, if you're looking to elevate your GT4 RS from merely spectacular to unequivocally epic, the Manthey Racing handling kit might just be the wisest automotive investment you could make.