Porsche is introducing a Manthey kit for an electric sports car for the first time, elevating the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package to an even higher performance level.
Porsche test driver Lars Kern set a new record on the Nordschleife with the Manthey Kit, which will be available to order from June as a retrofit kit for all examples of the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package.
Kevin Giek, Head of the Taycan model line, stated that with the new Manthey Kit, they are offering a unique upgrade for the Taycan Turbo GT. The small but impactful project team from Manthey and Porsche succeeded in transferring Manthey DNA into a kit for electric vehicles, culminating in an impressive new Nordschleife record.
Taycan Turbo GT, 6:55.533 Nürburgring Record for Electric Executive Cars
With the Manthey Kit, Porsche development driver Lars Kern set a lap record for electric executive cars on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the wheel of a Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package, with a time of 6:55.533 minutes—more than nine seconds faster than the previous record for electric executive cars.
Kern beat his own record set in October 2023 with a Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package by 12 seconds. A notary present on site certified the lap time.
Extensive aerodynamic measures increase downforce by more than three times compared to the standard model. The suspension and drive system have been optimized: at 600 kW, power output is 20 kW higher than the standard model. The ten-second power boost known as Attack Mode now delivers up to 130 kW.
Comprehensive Aerodynamic and Powertrain Modifications
Kern stated the Manthey Kit turns the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package into the ultimate track tool. On the Nordschleife, you can feel how much more stability and confidence the car offers in fast sections and when braking.
Thanks to significantly enhanced aerodynamics, tires with even greater performance, and increased overboost power available at the touch of a button, they were able to beat previous best times. On the section between Lauda-Links and Bergwerk corners, the development driver was a full 14 km/h faster.
Christian Müller, Technical Project Manager for Taycan special vehicles at Porsche, explained their goal was to further enhance the already exceptional performance of the Taycan Turbo GT specifically for racetrack use. Together with Manthey experts, they comprehensively tuned aerodynamics and suspension, as well as wheel/tire combination, for maximum circuit performance.
Tripled Downforce and Increased Power Output
At the heart of modifications is a comprehensive aerodynamic update that increases downforce by more than three times compared to the standard car. At 200 km/h, total downforce increased from 95 to 310 kilograms. When traveling at top speed, which increased from 305 to 310 km/h, the Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit produces about 740 kg total downforce, enabling higher cornering speeds and ensuring optimum vehicle stability.
Key aerodynamic components include a new rear wing with enlarged end plates, optimized front diffuser, high-performance rear diffuser with extended fins, and enlarged air deflectors on the underbody. Carbon aerodiscs on rear wheels improve aerodynamic efficiency. Adjustments to rear wing and front diffuser allow the driver to choose between setups with little or much downforce.
For the first time, the Manthey Kit includes powertrain adjustments: optimizations to high-voltage battery, control unit, and pulse inverters increase maximum discharge current from 1,100 to 1,300 amps. This increases system output by 20 kW to 600 kW, while maximum torque when using Launch Control rises to 1,270 Nm (plus 30 Nm). If the driver activates Attack Mode, an additional power boost up to 130 kW is available for a short time, temporarily increasing 10-second output to 730 kW instead of 700 kW.
Lightweight Wheels and Enhanced Braking System
The high-performance package includes newly developed, optimized 21-inch ‘Manthey’ design forged aluminum wheels. Despite larger dimensions, they are lighter than standard wheels. Including titanium wheel bolts, they weigh more than three kilograms less than the already weight-optimized wheels of the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package. Road-legal track tires are available as an option, four centimeters wider on the front axle and three centimeters wider on the rear.
A specially developed driving dynamics setup for Porsche Active Ride, front and rear-axle steering, and all-wheel drive significantly improve agility, cornering grip, and steering precision. The new braking system with larger discs (440 millimeters front, 410 mm rear) and performance brake pads delivers even greater deceleration rates.
Visually, numerous add-on parts made of high-quality exposed carbon fiber emphasize the car’s motorsport character, including upper and lower wheel arch vents, front and rear wheel arch extensions, widened side skirts, and rear wing.