30th anniversary: Manthey unveils two limited-edition racing car models

Three decades of motorsport, engineering expertise and track experience are embodied in two cars: To mark its 30th anniversary, Manthey is presenting two exclusive special-edition models for motorsport enthusiasts and collectors: the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30. Limited to 15 units each, these special editions embody an approach that runs through Manthey’s 30-year history and consistently pushes the technical boundaries set by motorsport regulations.

The cars will make their world debut on 9 October 2026 as part of the DTM finale at Hockenheim.

30 years of continuous development

The two MR 30 models exemplify a development approach that has characterised Manthey since its foundation: Technical solutions arise from the real-world demands of motorsport, are tested under competitive conditions on the ‘home circuit’, the Nürburgring Nordschleife, as well as on other international race tracks, and are continuously refined. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 are the result of this very process and combine the experience gained from numerous Mantheyin-house developments into the most consistent iterations to date of two vehicle lines that have shaped the Race Cars division over many years.

“We are delighted to be able to present two further special highlights at the end of our anniversary year: the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30,” emphasises Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH. “Both cars exemplify the way development takes place at Manthey: arising from specific customer requirements and motorsport projects. They were not developed to celebrate an anniversary, but for use on the racetrack. Being able to offer the results of these two vehicle lines as limited-edition special models now makes them a fitting conclusion to our company’s 30th anniversary.”

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30: The most advanced evolution of the Cup MR range

The development of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 builds on a vehicle line whose origins date back to Manthey’s early years. Even in Olaf Manthey’s early vehicle projects for the 996 and 997 generations, engine modifications were among the measures used to specifically refine existing vehicle concepts. With the Cup MR range that emerged later, the focus shifted entirely to the holistic development of aerodynamics, chassis, cooling and vehicle balance, with the aim of creating a performance tier between the 911 GT3 Cup and the 911 GT3 R. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 now combines both approaches once again. 

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At the heart of this special edition model, based on a completely overhauled Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.1), is a water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 4.2 litres. Thanks to the increase in displacement, the 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 delivers 560 PS (412 kW). Power is transmitted directly to the rear axle via a sequential six-speed gearbox. 

The larger engine is complemented by a comprehensive aerodynamics and cooling concept, which has already proven its effectiveness in customer use on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The underlying development version achieved a lap time of 7:58.605 minutes on the 24.358-kilometre NLS track configuration, despite having lower power output. The front end, including the wings and bonnet, as well as the rear fairing, wheel arch extensions, boot lid and rear wing, are made from recycled carbon fibre composite (CfK) and are designed for optimised airflow and increased downforce. As with previous Cup MR generations based on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of the 991.1 and 991.2 generations, a central radiator layout is used. In addition to the aerodynamic benefits, the central radiator layout improves exhaust air flow whilst simultaneously reducing the risk of radiator damage in the event of contact with external objects. The aerodynamically optimised brake cooling system, featuring significantly enlarged air intakes, reduces the thermal load on the components and thus extends their service life. 

Further aerodynamic measures include a front splitter with an integrated underbody, additional flics and a newly developed rear wing with enlarged end plates and a modified wing mounting. The end plates feature an exclusive ‘30 Years of Manthey’ design. The new rear wing mounting also allows for the integration of an aerodynamically optimised air intake, a concept already used in the 911 GT3 Cup MR (991.2). Wheel arch extensions create space for a track widening of 20 millimetres on the front axle and 50 millimetres on the rear axle. The lightweight wheel set, manufactured in Manthey’s own forged wheel production facility and featuring an exclusive 30th-anniversary design, offers an additional weight saving of 3.8 kilograms.

The development package also includes a six-way adjustable coilover suspension with optimised spring rates, as well as modified kinematics on the front and rear axles. Exclusive anniversary details can be found not only on the exterior but also in the interior. These include a bespoke ‘30 Years of Manthey’ badge and anniversary lettering embroidered onto the seats.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30: From homologation kit to the final development for the Cayman

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 brings together a decade of Cayman-based racing car development at Manthey and simultaneously marks the conclusion of a platform that has had a decisive influence on the Race Cars division over this period. This development line originated with the homologation kit developed by Manthey for the first Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport (981), which enabled the car to compete in GT4 racing series worldwide. At the same time, Manthey launched the ‘Cayman GT4 Trophy by Manthey Racing’ (now the ‘Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring’) to provide the car with a competitive arena on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Building on this, numerous further projects were developed based on the mid-engined Porsche models of the 981 and 718 generations, including the Trackday MR, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Leichtbau and customer sport developments for use on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

With a consistent focus on lightweight construction and a comprehensively revised aerodynamic concept, the MR 30 model brings together the key insights from this line of development. Extensive bodywork components made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), together with the lightweight wheel set – developed specifically for this special model and also manufactured in-house – reduce the vehicle’s weight by a total of 5.7 kg compared with the base model, enabling the 500 PS racing car to deliver its maximum performance. The lightweight CfK components include wings with lightweight headlamps, a bonnet with central radiator vent, front apron and front splitter, as well as a redesigned rear section featuring a rear apron, a rear bonnet with a lightweight rear window and a rear wing. A CFRP diffuser and additional flics at the front also provide extra downforce. 

As with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30, the cooling concept is based on a central radiator layout and is complemented by optimised brake cooling, the brake air ducts of which are derived from developments on the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport EVO. The development stage on which this special edition is based was continuously tested and refined under real racing conditions. As part of this validation process, the vehicle concept achieved, amongst other things, a top-20 overall finish at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, thereby providing further proof of its performance under extreme conditions. 

Exclusive anniversary details can also be found here, both on the exterior and in the interior of the car. These include, amongst other things, the wing end plates featuring the ‘30 Years Anniversary’ logo, the ‘30 Years of Manthey’ badge bearing the model number of the limited-edition vehicle, and the headrests adorned with the anniversary logo.

Jan-Helmut Brakhage, Head of the Race Cars Division, sums it up: “30 Years of Manthey means three decades of experience in global motorsport, three decades of development and three decades of total enthusiasm for our products. We want to express this with these two special-edition models. The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 is the flagship of the mid-engined racing car that has enjoyed success for over 10 years. It is a vehicle concept that we were privileged to help shape and which we are celebrating in style as the model series draws to a close. With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30, we are consistently continuing the development of our Cup MR cars. The increase in engine capacity gives the car a further boost in performance and rounds off the overall package of aerodynamics and lightweight construction. In doing so, we are linking the development work from the company’s early days with the present. Both car models incorporate the insights we have gained over the last thirty years and embody what has been our focus ever since: maximum drivability and pure emotion.”

Exclusive anniversary design

Both special-edition models feature a design developed exclusively for the anniversary year. The paintwork on the show cars combines a white base with red accents and a reinterpreted streamlined motif. The base bodywork of the Cup MR 30 is also painted white, modelled on historic Porsche racing cars. The colour scheme makes direct reference to Manthey’s characteristic corporate colours and combines them with a modern design language. The graphic elements reflect the core idea of the anniversary: the connection between heritage and the future. 

In keeping with the design philosophy of the anniversary livery of the number 911 car fielded by Manthey at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, the appearance of the MR 30 special models also links various chapters of the company’s history with a clear focus on the future. The design is not intended as a retrospective, but rather as a further development of familiar Manthey design elements. At the same time, it offers a glimpse of a design language that will help shape the company’s future racing programmes and development projects. 

Limited edition

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 will each be produced in a run of 15 vehicles. This brings the total to 30 vehicles to mark Manthey’s 30th anniversary. 

Enquiries regarding the purchase of these two special-edition models will be accepted until 30 October 2026. Due to the limited production run, the final allocation of the vehicles will subsequently be carried out by Manthey. Deliveries of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport MR 30 will begin in November 2026, whilst those of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup MR 30 will commence in the first quarter of 2027.