Manthey is marking its 30th anniversary with a run of 30 specially tuned track cars, split evenly between the 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 and the 718 GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30. The German motorsport outfit, long known for the performance packages that have helped Porsche set multiple Nürburgring production car lap records, is using the milestone to return to engine work it largely abandoned in recent years.
The headline act is the 911 GT3 Cup MR 30. Manthey explains that when it was modifying 996- and 997-generation 911s for racing in the 1990s and 2000s, engine modifications were an important part of its upgrade programme. That changed as the focus shifted entirely to aerodynamics, suspension and cooling. For the anniversary car, the flat-six went back on the operating table, growing from 4.0 to 4.2 litres. Output rises from 503 hp to 552 hp (560 PS), sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission rather than a manual.
Both models are reserved for track use only. The 718 GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 carries the same «30 Years of Manthey» graphics on its rear wing end plates and seats, but keeps its 4.0-litre engine and 500 hp, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the 911's dog box. Built for GT4 rather than GT3 racing, it is a less exotic machine, though Manthey's reputation suggests it will still be formidable on circuit.
Most of the other aerodynamic, cooling and lightening modifications described for the anniversary cars appear to be already available on the existing 911 GT3 Cup MR. The distinguishing features are the «30 Years» logos and the enlarged engine, which is likely to draw the bulk of attention from collectors and racers alike.
The anniversary arrives as Porsche has deepened its involvement in the company. The automaker has increased its stake in Manthey from 51 to 67 percent, and from this week the outfit becomes part of Porsche's new Performance vertical, one of three pillars the company has established to organise its business. The others are Exclusiveness, covering the Sonderwunsch «special wish» and Exclusive Manufaktur personalisation divisions, and Heritage.
The move signals closer integration between the manufacturer and the racing specialist, and observers should not be surprised to see more Porsche and Manthey road car collaborations in the coming years. For now, the 30 anniversary machines stand as a statement of what three decades of partnership have produced: race cars built for lap time rather than showroom appeal.