MANHART MH4 GTR REVEALED WITH 700HP

Based on the already exclusive BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition released in 2016, the 700hp MANHART MH4 GTR takes exclusivity to another level.

In contrast to what is usually the case with MANHART’s creations, the new model designation of the car in this case does not yet give any indication of its new performance value.  Of course, the MH4 GTR still provides far more power than the 500 hp and 600 Nm of the base M4 DTM vehicle, which has been made possible thanks to water injection. The biturbo-fired S55 in-line six-cylinder engine has been given an ECU remapping in conjunction with a MANHART intercooler by CSF, as well as a MANHART carbon intake by ARMA, MANHART aluminium charge pipes and a MANHART stainless steel exhaust system with valve function.

Manhart MH4 GTRManhart MH4 GTR

The latter connects to the engine via MANHART “race” downpipes, which do not have TÜV approval due to the lack of catalytic converters and are only intended for export from Germany. All in all, this results in an output of 708 PS and 980 Nm, or 698hp and 723lb ft! In order to be able to continue to cope with its task without any problems despite the increase in power, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has also received a MANHART upgrade. The chassis and the formidable carbon-ceramic brake system remained untouched in the vehicle shown here – but MANHART also offers individual optimisations on request.

Manhart MH4 GTRManhart MH4 GTR

MANHART has also made changes to the car’s exterior, adding a carbon front spoiler with additional lip, a new rear wing and a carbon diffuser. An additional spoiler lip on the boot lid and exterior mirror caps – each from the M Performance Parts range and made of carbon – have also been added. Furthermore, the M4 was given an even more striking body styling, while retaining the original colour combination. The wheel arches now feature forged, in-house MANHART Concave One rims in 9×20 inch and 10.5×20 inch, covered with 255/35 and 295/30 tyres.

Manhart MH4 GTRManhart MH4 GTR

In the interior, there was also an unmistakable racing ambience even in its original state. MANHART have further enhanced this atmosphere with a steering wheel, upholstered in Alcantara from the M Performance Parts portfolio, Recaro bucket seats with partial leather upholstery and various carbon trim elements.7

While the MANHART MH4 GTR is a one-off, MANHART will sell you the individual parts. Just head over to its product pages for more information.

shop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20Pshop.kelsey.co.uk/AUT20PSource

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964: DREAM WEAVER – FC THROWBACK

Welcome to this week’s FC Throwback, where we take a look back at some of our favourite previous features. This week it’s Brian Henderson’s tuned Porsche 911 Carrera 2 964 from back in 2013… 

Feature taken from Fast Car. Words Ben Chandler Photos Paddy McGrath

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

Rotiform is a wheel company that specialises in making people’s dreams become a reality. But co-founder of the company, Brian Henderson, had his own Wörthersee daydream and here’s how it came true…

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

In just four years, Brian Henderson, along with business partner, Jason Whipple, has managed to create, arguably, one of the hottest wheel brands in the world. Rotiform is an exciting name in the wheel game.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

If you’ve followed Rotiform from the beginning, you’ll know full well that its project build speed is nothing short of relentless. Cars get turned around in an incredibly short space of time. Airlift, KW or H&R suspension boxes arrive at the shop and within a matter of days – sometimes even hours – photos are going up online of the latest project that’s been dropped a whole load closer to terra firma.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

Sometimes their cars are built for ultimate handling, other times just to look cool. No matter what though, Rotiform builds are always fun.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

So where did this Porsche journey begin? The road to peppermint green started earlier on this year when Brian took the decision to put his beloved 964 into a container and ship it from Los Angeles to London. Richie at Milestone71 was to orchestrate the build and, as always with Brian, time would be of the essence.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

The transformation would take weeks and the deadline was the Wörthersee show. This would involve an epic European road trip taking in multiple countries and thousands of miles, straight after the completion of the build. The 950-mile journey to Velden in Austria would be the Porsche’s shakedown. Now that’s pressure!

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

Would the car be done in time? There was only one answer. Yes. It had to be. Would the car make it? Well, I can’t kid you and hype it up. There will be no sense of drama and no ‘will it or won’t it’ kind of play in this story. Paddy’s photographs of the killer 964 in front of the Austrian mountains more than give the game away.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

In fact, the car didn’t just make the journey, it positively tore its way through the night, baiting 997 Porsches and Audi R8s all the way up to speeds of 165mph on the German Autobahns. This is no show queen.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

One year earlier, Brian had stood outside this cafe-bar in Reifnitz and dreamt of having his own car at the Wörthersee. Twelve months later and that daydream became a reality.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

So, these photographs really do embody the spirit of making things happen. I don’t think Brian stopped smiling all week. Seeing him drive, literally, all around the lake hitting up various car meets in the Austrian hills was really cool. You couldn’t get him out of the car.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

The 964’s successful journey to Austria is a testament to Brian’s ballsy attitude. And we have to applaud the commitment to create his dream car and then drive the freshly completed Porsche a very long way.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

It is, a massive salute to all those talented guys involved in the build.

TUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian HendersonTUNED PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2 964 Rotiform Brian Henderson

Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (964)

Tuning
Milestone71 cup headers, Milestone71 cup cat delete, Milestone71 cup primary muffler delete, Milestone71 exhaust tip, colour matched intake, valve covers and fan, 964 RS clutch and flywheeI

Chassis
AH Exclusive/H&R Motorsport coilovers, H&R sway bars, 18×8.5in & 18×10in Rotiform LHR with ceramic charcoal centres & bolts with brushed and satin clear coat lips, 215/35R18 and 255/30R18 Conti Sport Contact 2 tyres

Styling
964 RS dummy foglights, AP Car Design clear bumper lights, StyleHaus shaved front license plate recess, StyleHaus shaved tow hook front & rear, StyleHaus shaved mirrors, StyleHaus full respray in Porsche Peppermint Green, StyleHaus rolled/pulled/smoothed fenders (arches), AP Car Design carbon cup mirror (driver’s side only), 964 RS clear rear windscreen

Interior
AP Car Design 1/2 cage – leather-wrapped and stitched by Plush Automotive, Recaro A8s re-trimmed by Plush Automotive – leather fronts and Alcantara backs, RUF shift knob re-trimmed by Plush, Momo X Porsche Design steering wheel & hub re-trimmed by Plush, 964 RS door panels re-trimmed by Plush, 964 RS rear carpet kit, Dash, centre console, etc. trimmed by Plush, Kenwood headunit & speakers

Thanks
Rotiform Wheels, Milestone71, Plush Automotive, H&R, Players Show, StyleHaus, Aaron Smith, Ap Car Design, Kenwood Electronics, my wife Deanna for her support

Source

Ford’s new CEO races a 1966 Ford GT40 as his form of yoga

Jim Farley, who replaced Jim Hackett as Ford CEO earlier this year, doesn’t just sell cars. He races them.

Farley has been racing vintage cars for more than a decade, and he received permission from executive chairman Bill Ford to continue racing alongside his new responsibilities as CEO.

It was probably the second conversation we had after we had talked about this leadership opportunity,” Farley said in a Ford-produced interview (via Autoblog). “I said, ‘You know, Bill, I just can’t stop racing. It’s just who I am. It’s my yoga. You’ve got to let me do this if I’m going to be a better CEO. He was very supportive.”

Farley started racing in 2008 after buying a Shelby 427 Cobra, according to Automotive News. He currently races a 1966 Ford GT40 and a 1978 Lola T298. Other cars in his collection include a 1932 Ford roadster, a 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang, and a 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. He also reportedly owns a 1987 BMW 325i convertible purchased new by his wife.

Senior Editor Kirk Bell rode with Farley in his 427 Cobra at a Ford event in 2014 and he can attest that Farley didn’t baby that car despite its collector value.

Ford CEO Jim Farley racing his 1978 Lola T298

Ford CEO Jim Farley racing his 1978 Lola T298

The passion for cars started at a young age. As a teenager, Farley worked at a garage owned by Formula One champion Phil Hill, and once restored a 1966 Ford Mustang he paid $500 for, according to Top Gear.

In the interview, Farley said racing keeps him grounded.

“When I’m at the track, I’m just Jimmy Car-Car, nothing more. It’s a great way to stay humble and connected to the product, and it’s a great way for me to relax, because I love competing,” he said.

Farley isn’t the only automotive executive to trade a suit and tie for a helmet and overalls. Toyota president Akio Toyoda, General Motors president Mark Reuss, and PSA Group CEO Carlos Tavares all race. Toyoda even took his firm’s latest World Endurance Championship race car for a test drive.

Source