German outfit Manhart might not be one of the biggest names in the tuning game, but their expertise at squeezing more power and performance out of the world's fastest cars is second to none. In business for over 35 years, Manhart originally started as a BMW tuner, but they've massively expanded their lineup since. They'll now tune almost anything, from Mercedes wagons to the new Toyota Supra, and even the odd Jeep.
Their current offerings are their wildest ever, with huge horsepower upgrades and racing-inspired weight-saving measures altering each car's power to weight ratio drastically from its stock form. As well as boosting the performance of their cars, they offer several visual upgrades that make sure passersby know that their cars are far from ordinary. They're arguably one of the most underrated tuners out there right now, so let's take a look at ten of their craziest creations.
10 Continental GT Supersports
The stock Bentley Continental GT is a winning combination of luxury craftsmanship and brutal power, and the Manhart tuned version adds significantly more of the latter. Performance is upgraded from 630 hp and 800 Nm of torque to 710 hp and a whopping 1017 Nm.
There are a number of optional upgrades available too, although most of these are only available on request. To show off the car's newly upgraded powertrain, each Manhart Bentley is also treated to a paintwork overhaul that includes grey and orange accents.
9 MH5 800 (F90)
Manhart got their start in the tuning industry eking out extra horses from fast BMWs, so it's no surprise to see the latest F90 M5 available from their dealerships. The MH5, as Manhart has called it, is available in several specifications, but the 800 is the most powerful.
With 815 hp on tap, the MH5 is even crazier than the stock M5, which already boasted an output of 625 hp. To make sure the car's other components can deal with such an increase in power, Manhart also include a gearbox upgrade, KW racing suspension, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler as standard with the package.
8 AMG GTR
The Mercedes AMG GTR is a pretty crazy car when it's stock, yet Manhart has found a way to squeeze even more power out of it. Horsepower output is increased from 510 hp up to 585 hp, meaning the car is now capable of 0-62 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
The gearbox is also upgraded for optimal performance and there are options available to swap out other parts like the brakes and wheels too. Much like the Bentley mentioned earlier, each AMG GTR is subject to a fresh coat of paint and Manhart's signature decals before leaving the factory.
7 Defender DP 500
The new Land Rover Defender has caused some controversy as purists think it's not off-road-focused enough, and cars like the DP 500 might be why they think that. This is a far cry from the rough 'n' ready Defenders of old, instead being a 512-hp road monster that's ready to blast down the autobahn faster than many sports cars can.
To achieve such a bump in power, Manhart has employed a stainless steel custom-fabricated exhaust and a full ECU remap. That's in addition to new lower suspension, custom wheels and brakes, and a luxurious leather interior that provides drivers with the kind of luxury they'd expect from the likes of a Mercedes G Wagon.
6 Golf RS 450
Even the humble Volkswagen Golf isn't safe from Manhart and their team of madcap engineers. The Golf R is already one of the best hot hatches on sale at the moment, but Manhart cranks things all the way up to 11 by adding an extra 140 hp, pushing the total output up to 450 hp.
The car makes an incredible 500 Nm of torque, a figure that's basically unheard of for a hot hatch. It's safe to say that anyone trying to drag race this piece of German engineering at the stoplights will quickly find themselves left behind, probably a little confused about how a Golf could be so quick.
5 Supra GR 550
The new Supra has taken a lot of criticism for sharing parts with the BMW Z4, but the fact it's so similar means that Manhart decided to have a crack at tuning it. The result is predictably wild, with the Manhart version putting out 550 hp, a 210 hp increase over the stock model.
Manhart has employed a full suite of performance parts to achieve such an upgrade, including a custom turbo kit, a carbon intake, and a performance radiator courtesy of Wagner Tuning. The new Supra has rapidly gained a reputation for being one of the most upgradable cars on the market, and the GR 550 proves exactly why it's got so much potential.
4 GC 800
One of the more unusual models in Manhart's lineup is the GC 800, a modified Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with 813 hp. Most people would agree that the "standard" Trackhawk was crazy enough, but Manhart's engineers decided that it could do with a bit more juice.
With a 0-62 mph time of just 3.3 seconds, the GC 800 will keep up with most modern supercars that cost twice as much. Not only that, it'll be able to bring the whole family along for the ride, too.
3 MH8 800 (F9X)
BMW's M8 is about as close as the company is willing to get to making a new flagship supercar, but in stock form, it's a slightly awkward combination of a sports car, luxury GT, and executive barge. Give one to Manhart, and they'll push it straight into purebred supercar territory though.
The MH8 800 gets a nearly 200 hp boost up to a total output of 823 hp, making it capable of 0-62 mph in 2.6 seconds, as fast as a Pagani Huayra. It also comes with a full set of carbon body panels to reduce weight and get that all-important power-to-weight ratio as optimal as possible.
2 CR 700 Wagon
If there's anyone out there mad enough to be looking for a 700 hp Mercedes wagon, there's only one place to look. Manhart's CR 700 ticks all the right boxes, but still keeps its family-hauling practicality that's impossible to find with any other vehicle this powerful.
H&R race springs ensure that the CR 700 keeps its wheels firmly planted into the ground even with that extra power, and there's a full exterior decal set available too. The price for one of these unique super wagons? That's on request only, and as the old saying goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
1 RQ 900
If there's one car that sums up just how ludicrous Manhart likes to make their cars, it's the RQ 900. They've taken the already brutally fast Audi RSQ8 and added a huge turbo, carbon air intake, and a racing intercooler to push the power up to an unbelievable 918 hp.
A carbon fiber widebody kit is then fitted to give the RQ 900 an even more aggressive stance than its stock siblings, and a number of exterior accents are added to highlight just how crazy this tuned SUV is. It's more powerful than anyone ever needs from a luxury SUV, but it's all the better for it.