I’m sure we all remember the Ferrari 599XX from 2009, a track-only version of the famous Ferrari 599, but one that couldn’t be entered into endurance or GT racing, this kind of race car was only eligible to be used during Ferrari track days, when the owner of the car could count on the support of actual Ferrari mechanics present at the track, complete with a pit crew and even engineers gathering data for research and development … only a select group of VIP customers could even buy this car. But that wasn’t even the first kind in the ‘XX’ series, in 2005 some clients were invited to buy the Ferrari FXX, the was developed into the FXX Evoluzione by 2008 … but the best came around in 2015 when Ferrari launched the LaFerrari for road use, and the Ferrari FXX K as a track-toy for the ultra-rich.
Lamborghini joined this select club with their Essenza SCV12 in 2020, we’ve been able to enjoy it on the famous hill climb during the last Goodwood Festival of Speed, thundering loud, a race car pur sang, but just like the Ferrari XX series, only possible to enjoy on closed tracks, not in an actual FIA race … and now it seems the Porsche marketing team took that idea and executed it onto their flagship model, the famous 911, more specifically the GT2 RS model.
Porsche unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25, only 30 units of this track-only model will be made, as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Manthey-Racing GmbH, being a joint venture in design and development between Porsche and Manthey, but none of these will be able to be driven on the open road, based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, this new limited edition is powered by the 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine, pumping out 700 PS (or 515 kW) to the rear wheels only through the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch gearbox (PDK).
The exterior design for this new 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 shows various elements from familiar and future Porsche racing cars, the technology, and aerodynamics seen on this car bridge the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911, with inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, which Nürburgring fans fondly dubbed “Grello” thanks to its distinctive green and yellow finish, but in the end, Grant Larson from Style Porsche added some final optical touches, remember Larson designed some legendary racing cars like the 911 RSR, 911 GT3 R as well as the modern 935 and many more.
Similar to the Porsche 935, the new 911 GT2 RS Clubsport of the 991 model generation is used as the base for this limited edition version, the centrally-positioned radiator is one of its defining features to resemble the 911 GT3 R, the totally new front bumper comes with a central intake for optimum airflow, this special edition also boasts a closed underbody and a carbon fiber front lid in a new design where the two large vents, separated by a center divider, channel hot air over the roof to the rear wing while the center-mounted NACA duct pulls fresh air to the cockpit.
The suspension for this new 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 uses parts sourced from the modern 935, with massively wide center-lock 18-inch wheels that boasts large offsets so this car features a significantly wider track than the regular 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, to cope with that wider track the fenders on this car had to be redesigned thoroughly, a massive rear wing is an integrated unit into the rear of the body, it serves as a wrap-around separation edge, a design element that distinguished Manthey’s first MR.
“With the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 special edition, which we designed and developed in conjunction with Porsche Motorsport, we’ve reached another milestone in the 25-year history of Manthey. It’s a perfect example of our guiding principle ‘Closer to Perfection,’” states Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey-Racing GmbH. “With every modification, technological function always takes priority. That’s why the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 has its very own character, which also reflects our brand values: straightforward and meticulous, flexible and uncompromising.”
The taillights meet current rules and are shared with the 911 GT3 Cup, while the headlights are derived from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, but have been further developed for this model specifically, they now have integrated turn signals and are particularly efficient in illuminating the track, while a bespoke rear diffuser is a perfect surrounding for the newly developed exhaust system, with its dual tailpipes that draw attention to themselves even without the engine running.
