So, that Porsche Taycan Turbo GT in your garage? The one with the Weissach Package you thought was the absolute pinnacle of EV performance? Its insane 7:07.553 Nürburgring lap time was a point of pride, and rightly so. For a moment there, it was untouchable. But now, the Manthey Taycan Turbo GT has redefined what's possible.
But get this: The engineers at Manthey just took that record and significantly improved it. We're talking an astonishing 6:55.553 minute lap. That’s a full 12 seconds faster. Twelve. Seconds. On the Nordschleife. This isn't just an update; it's a whole new benchmark for what an EV can do. Porsche's official newsroom confirms this achievement.
Engineering the Manthey Taycan Turbo GT's Record-Breaking Lap
Look, when you shave 12 seconds off an already blistering Nürburgring lap, it's not just a software update. This isn't some minor tweak. This is a comprehensive engineering effort, and it comes in the form of the new Manthey Kit for the Taycan Turbo GT. And yes, it's the most extensive Manthey upgrade for an electric Porsche ever. The Manthey Taycan Turbo GT represents the pinnacle of this collaboration.
Enthusiasts are already buzzing online, and for good reason. The excitement is evident, but so are the questions. "How much battery did it chew through?" "What about the temps?" These are valid points, because pushing an EV this hard for nearly seven minutes on the Nordschleife presents significant challenges. It's not just about raw power; it's about sustaining that power, managing heat, and preventing critical system failure.
Aerodynamic Enhancements
A significant portion of that 12-second gain can be attributed to aerodynamic improvements. The standard Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach Package already had some decent downforce, around 209 lbs at 124 mph. Solid, but not 'Ring-record good for an EV of this weight.
The Manthey Kit? It cranks that up to an astonishing 683 lbs at 124 mph. That's more than three times the downforce. And at the car's new top speed of 192 mph, you're looking at a staggering 1,631 lbs. This immense downforce helps keep the Manthey Taycan Turbo GT firmly planted.
How do they get there? A new, adjustable rear wing with enlarged end plates, an optimized and adjustable front diffuser, an aggressive rear diffuser with extended fins, and those wild carbon aerodiscs on the rear wheels. This isn't just for show; it allowed driver Lars Kern to carry 8.7 mph higher speed through sections like the "Lauda-Lefthander" compared to the 2023 run. This allows for higher cornering speeds and lets the driver push even harder.
Powertrain Optimizations
Turning to the powertrain, Manthey found ways to boost the Taycan Turbo GT's already impressive power output. The Manthey Taycan Turbo GT still managed to squeeze out more. They optimized the high-voltage battery, the control unit, and the pulse inverters. The big one here is the maximum discharge current, which jumps from 1,100 amps to 1,300 amps.
What does that mean for you? More sustained power delivery. The standard system output goes from 580 kW (777 hp) to 600 kW (804 hp). And in "Attack Mode" – that 10-second overboost you can trigger – it goes from 700 kW (938 hp) to 730 kW (978 hp). The launch control output stays at an astonishing 760 kW (1,019 hp), which is already incredible.
But here's the thing that people are asking about: pushing 1,300 amps through a battery for nearly seven minutes straight. That's a serious thermal load. We've seen Taycans experience dramatic drops in battery charge and temperature spikes in even less strenuous track conditions. Manthey and Porsche clearly had to engineer some serious cooling and battery management strategies to keep this thing from going into limp mode or, worse, damaging the battery long-term. This isn't just about raw power; it's about the unseen engineering battle to keep those electrons flowing without frying the system.
Grip and Stop: Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
All the power and downforce in the world are meaningless without the ability to effectively transfer that power to the road and bring the car to a halt. The Manthey Taycan Turbo GT didn't forget this.
They swapped out the standard wheels for Manthey-designed 21-inch forged aluminum wheels. These are lighter than the standard wheels, even though they're larger, and they use titanium wheel bolts. This reduction in unsprung mass of approximately six pounds is a small but important detail.
Complementing the new wheels are sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS track tires. And they're wider – 4 cm wider at the front and 3 cm wider at the rear compared to the standard Turbo GT setup. Wider tires naturally provide more grip.
Stopping power gets an upgrade too. The front discs grow from 420 mm to 440 mm, and the rear discs are now 410 mm. Paired with performance pads, this setup means you can brake later and harder, which is absolutely essential on a track like the Nürburgring.
The "Production Car" Question and the Unseen Toll
So, 6:55.553. That's faster than the BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme (6:59.157) and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra (7:04.957). It even gets close to the stripped-down, non-production Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype (6:46.874). This is a massive win.
However, while this kit will be available from the factory, making it a "production car" in Porsche's eyes, how many people are actually going to buy a Manthey Taycan Turbo GT, then spec it with the Manthey Kit, and then regularly track it at this level? This is an incredibly specialized, incredibly expensive machine.
The engineering behind this record is wild. The increased discharge current, the extreme aero – these put immense stress on components, especially the battery. While Porsche and Manthey have clearly done their homework on thermal management, pushing these limits consistently will definitely accelerate battery degradation and likely boost running costs through increased charging cycles and potential component wear for the few who truly exploit its capabilities. It's proof of engineering prowess, but it also highlights the extreme demands of track driving on current EV tech.
My Take: Is It Worth It?
Look, for 99.9% of Taycan owners, the answer is a hard no. Your standard Taycan Turbo GT is already an incredibly potent four-door machine. The performance is so immediate, so responsive, it delivers an intense physical experience. Most drivers won't need this level of performance. But for those seeking the ultimate, the Manthey Taycan Turbo GT with this kit is the answer.
But let's be clear. This kit isn't for 99.9% of people. This is for that dedicated group of drivers who view the Nürburgring not merely as a road, but as the ultimate proving ground. The enthusiasts obsessed with shaving off every tenth of a second. For them, this Manthey Kit isn't just a box of specialized parts; it's the ultimate statement. It's the critical enhancement that transforms an astonishingly fast EV into a dominant force on the Nordschleife.
This isn't for the casual enthusiast. This is for the obsessed. And for them, the decision is less about "if" and more about "when." This kit isn't just an upgrade; it's the definitive statement of EV track dominance.
