Porsche 911 GT3 RS with Manthey package beats Mustang GTD in Nürburgring road-car run
Porsche’s Manthey-tuned 911 GT3 RS outruns the Mustang GTD at the Nürburgring
Porsche 911 GT3 RS with Manthey package beats Mustang GTD in Nürburgring road-car run
Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey package lapped the Nürburgring in 6:45.389, beating the Ford Mustang GTD road car despite a major power deficit.
2026-04-18T05:41:02+03:00
2026-04-18T05:41:02+03:00
2026-04-18T05:41:02+03:00
Porsche has once again shown that outright power is not the decisive ingredient in outright speed. At the Nürburgring, the 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey package set a 6:45.389 lap, finishing 7 seconds ahead of the Ford Mustang GTD despite giving away nearly 300 hp. For the sports-car world, it is one of the clearest statements made in recent years.A new Porsche benchmark and Ford’s replyJörg Bergmeister was at the wheel of the Porsche, and the lap stands among the best ever recorded by a production road car. The Manthey-equipped version was also 4 seconds quicker than the standard GT3 RS.The driver himself said: “I’m happy it all finally came together. We put in a huge amount of work, and the car was perfectly prepared. It’s amazing how much the Manthey package delivers, especially in fast and medium-speed corners.”Ford, however, responded almost immediately: the Mustang GTD in Competition specification posted a 6:40.83 lap — quicker than the Porsche, but in the prototype category rather than among production models.Why the GT3 RS came out aheadThe central paradox is that Porsche relies on a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six with 518 hp and rear-wheel drive, while rivals from AMG and Ford push well beyond 800 hp.The secret is aerodynamics. The Manthey package raises downforce to 2,204 pounds at 285 km/h, versus 1,895 pounds for the standard version. That comes from a revised front spoiler, additional aero elements and a larger rear wing.The package also brings Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R semi-slicks and revised suspension tuning. Together, it adds speed without adding power — a rare outcome for modern high-performance sports cars at this level in 2024.Why rivals now face real pressurePorsche’s result has already turned up the heat on several rivals. Chevrolet’s Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X could improve on current pace with a professional driver, while Mercedes-AMG is preparing a new GT Black Series with more than 800 hp.Even so, Porsche may not be done yet. Next in line are the updated 992.2-generation GT3 RS and a new GT2 RS, traditionally the fastest model in the range.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Manthey package, Nürburgring, Ford Mustang GTD, Jörg Bergmeister, lap time, aerodynamics, downforce, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, GT2 RS, GT Black Series
2026
Michael Powers
news
Porsche’s Manthey-tuned 911 GT3 RS outruns the Mustang GTD at the Nürburgring
Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey package lapped the Nürburgring in 6:45.389, beating the Ford Mustang GTD road car despite a major power deficit.
Michael Powers, Editor
Porsche has once again shown that outright power is not the decisive ingredient in outright speed. At the Nürburgring, the 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey package set a 6:45.389 lap, finishing 7 seconds ahead of the Ford Mustang GTD despite giving away nearly 300 hp. For the sports-car world, it is one of the clearest statements made in recent years.
A new Porsche benchmark and Ford’s reply
Jörg Bergmeister was at the wheel of the Porsche, and the lap stands among the best ever recorded by a production road car. The Manthey-equipped version was also 4 seconds quicker than the standard GT3 RS.
The driver himself said: “I’m happy it all finally came together. We put in a huge amount of work, and the car was perfectly prepared. It’s amazing how much the Manthey package delivers, especially in fast and medium-speed corners.”
Ford, however, responded almost immediately: the Mustang GTD in Competition specification posted a 6:40.83 lap — quicker than the Porsche, but in the prototype category rather than among production models.
Why the GT3 RS came out ahead
The central paradox is that Porsche relies on a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six with 518 hp and rear-wheel drive, while rivals from AMG and Ford push well beyond 800 hp.
The secret is aerodynamics. The Manthey package raises downforce to 2,204 pounds at 285 km/h, versus 1,895 pounds for the standard version. That comes from a revised front spoiler, additional aero elements and a larger rear wing.
The package also brings Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R semi-slicks and revised suspension tuning. Together, it adds speed without adding power — a rare outcome for modern high-performance sports cars at this level in 2024.
Why rivals now face real pressure
Porsche’s result has already turned up the heat on several rivals. Chevrolet’s Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X could improve on current pace with a professional driver, while Mercedes-AMG is preparing a new GT Black Series with more than 800 hp.
Even so, Porsche may not be done yet. Next in line are the updated 992.2-generation GT3 RS and a new GT2 RS, traditionally the fastest model in the range.
