Porsche 911 GT2 RS breaks Nurburgring lap record

A Porsche 911 GT2 RS has broken the production car Nürburgring lap record by 4.747 seconds, taking the new time down to 6min 43.30sec at an average speed of 185.88kph (115.5mph). The previous lap record of 6min 48.047sec was set by the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.

• Record-breaking GT2 RS was equipped with a Manthey Performance Kit

• The kit brings changes to the chassis, aerodynamic and brakes of the GT2 RS

• The car was driven by Porsche works driver Lars Kern

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Nurburgring lap record run

Lars Kern was the man behind the wheel of the 911 GT2 RS, a Porsche works driver who’s becoming increasingly associated with the manufacturer’s Nürburgring efforts. Kern previously starred in a Panamera lap record and this year’s 992-gen 911 GT3 run.

The new lap was set by a 911 GT2 RS fitted with the Manthey Performance Kit, consisting of changes to the chassis, aerodynamic and brakes, all of which have been specifically designed for the GT2 RS.

Including the lighter magnesium alloys from the RS’s Weissach Package (offering an 11.4kg weight saving), the Manthey kit extends to additional flaps on the front spoiler, carbon underbody and additional air guide elements around the front wheels. At the back of the car, it features a new spoiler, modified diffuser and aerodiscs on the wheels. The overall effect is to increase front downforce from 49 to 70kg at 200kph, and from 93 to 200kg at the rear.

The brake changes run to racing pads and steel-encased brake linings, to reduce pressure variations along the linings. The coil-over suspension system has also been altered: the front and rear shocks feature three and four settings respectively, giving increased adjustability to the track-developed system.

“Our GT customers often use their cars on circuit, such as on track days,” said Frank-Steffen Walliser, vice president of the 911 and 718. “The engineers at Manthey and Porsche have together developed a perfectly tuned package that allows the 911 GT2 RS to deliver even higher performance.”

It’s been a successful month for Manthey, who as Porsche’s factory-supported race operation won the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier in June, marking Porsche’s 13th victory at the endurance classic. The Manthey Performance Kit for the 911 GT2 RS is already on sale in European markets. 

Porsche 911 GT2 RS: More details

The 991-gen Porsche 911 GT2 RS was launched in India in July 2018 at Rs 3.88 crore (ex-showroom, India), making it the most expensive Porsche ever to be launched here. 

It’s powered by a 3.8-litre, turbocharged, flat-six engine that puts out a colossal 700hp and 750Nm of torque, making it the most powerful road-going 911 in history. The engine sends power to the rear wheels only via a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The standard 911 GT2 RS has a claimed 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 340kph. 

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