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Manthey-Tuned Taycan Spied Prepping For A 'Ring Record
Big fenders and a massive rear diffuser should allow for wider tires and better aerodynamics.
Manthey Racing has a very close relationship with Porsche. Not only does the company prepare the German automaker's vehicles for competition, it also tunes road-going models to excel on the track. For example, the firm offers a $125,000 kit to improve the aerodynamics of the 911 GT3 RS and similar upgrades for the 911 GT2 RS.
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Manthey Racing is now turning its attention to the Taycan. These fresh spy shots catch the tuner testing a hotter version of the EV at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The car features a more aggressive body for improved handling on the track. Let's take a close look at it.
Manthey Racing Tunes The Taycan
Manthey Racing uses the range-topping Taycan Turbo GT as a starting point for these modifications. The black car has matching camouflage, which conceals the changes, but there are some obvious revisions to the body when looking closely. In front, the splitter appears larger than on the standard model, and there are dive planes on the outer corners. The fenders are much broader than stock, and there are vents on top.
Along the sides, there are broader side sills. This car rides on mismatched wheels: The ones in front have Y-shaped spokes, and the units in the back have aerodynamic covers. The rear also has wider fenders, and there's a gargantuan diffuser below the bumper. The wing appears to be the same unit from the Weissach Package already available on the Taycan Turbo GT.
Although there are no clear photos of the cabin, a few tweaks are visible through the windows. The driver is sitting in a Recaro racing seat instead of the Taycan's regular chair. Also, the person behind the wheel is wearing a helmet. The rear windows are completely blacked out, suggesting Manthey Racing might be hiding something back there.
This track-spec Porsche 911 is getting ready for business.
Why Is Manthey Racing Working On The Taycan?
This car's development raises the question of why Manthey Racing is turning its attention to the Taycan now, and there might be a good answer. In June, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra sedan with the track package set a new electric production vehicle lap record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 7:04.957 minutes.
While we can't know for sure just yet, it's possible that Manthey Racing could be working on a Taycan for a new record attempt. In 2024, an example of the Turbo GT model with the Weissach package lapped the famous course in 7:07.55 minutes. With the right modifications and an ace driver at the wheel, the Porsche might be able to make up the difference and take the title.
Factory-backed upgrades make the RS cars even meaner.
There's no indication of when the Manthey-tuned Taycan might be ready for a full debut. These spy shots are the first time we are seeing it, suggesting that the development is still ongoing. It could be months before we see this car without camouflage. Additionally, Manthey has other projects in the works, including an upgraded 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3.