Manthey Racing, the Nürburgring-based Porsche subsidiary, has created one of its signature handling kits for the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. With Porsche factory driver Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel, the GT4 RS MR lapped the Nordschleife in 7:03.21 seconds, over six seconds faster than the standard GT4 RS. A very impressive figure when you consider that the Manthey Racing kit has no powertrain upgrades.
Porsche
Also of note, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS MR is just a second slower than the epochal 918 Spyder. While the “official” lap time is a 7:03.21, that lap was measured across the whole 12.92-mile lap of the Nordschleife. Back when the 918’s 6:57 was set, Nürburgring laps were measured across a 12.8-mile version of the circuit that excluded the short T13 straight at the beginning. Across that version of the circuit, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS MR did a 6:58.
The Manthey Racing kit consists of a new coilover suspension system with 20 percent stiffer spring rates up front, and dampers with manually adjustable compression and rebound settings. Additionally, the braking system is upgraded with stainless-steel lines and new pads for more stopping power and better pedal feel. The big change, however, is aero. A new front underbody with diffusers, dive planes, a larger rear wing, and rear-wheel aero discs among other changes up the maximum total downforce from 196 to 372 pounds at 124 mph. To deal with the extra downforce, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS MR also gets a new carbon-fiber rear hatch.
Porsche
Porsche
While pricing hasn’t been announced for the kit yet, it won’t be cheap. Porsche charges $57,300 for a similar Manthey Racing kit available for the new 911 GT3. Surely this will push the cost of a GT4 RS well into the $200,000 range… if you can find a GT4 RS for sticker. But for the track rats, this is now the ultimate mid-engine Porsche road car.
Chris PerkinsSenior Reporter
A car enthusiast since childhood, Chris Perkins is Road & Track’s engineering nerd and Porsche apologist. He joined the staff in 2016 and no one has figured out a way to fire him since. He street-parks a Porsche Boxster in Brooklyn, New York, much to the horror of everyone who sees the car, not least the author himself. He also insists he’s not a convertible person, despite owning three.
Keyword: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS With New Handling Kit Laps Nurburgring One Second Off 918