Throughout the years, Germany has produced some of the greatest cars on the planet. Unfortunately, auto companies have strict rules they need to comply with in order to be efficient, reliable, and good. Due to these constraints, many aftermarket tuners have been established to fully showcase what these regulated vehicles can actually do when they don’t have to comply with such firm regulations. One of these companies is the German aftermarket tuner, Manhart.
Manhart mostly uses BMW vehicles to show off skills but has branched out to other German brands in the last few years. The tuner now has the ability to tune Mercedes-Benzes, VWs, Audis, Porsches, and even the Mk5 Toyota Supra – thanks to its BMW underpinnings. Manhart offers many tuning options – from being able to tune normal, everyday cars to produce more power and be more efficient, to tuning top-of-the-line sports cars that can produce in excess of 800 hp.
In addition to adding more performance to vehicles, Manhart offers body kits and liveries to complement the car – adding canards, larger wheels, and spoilers. Manhart is one of the most well-known aftermarket tuners and as such has tuned some ridiculously cool cars. Here are 10 of them.
10 MH2 400
The Manhart MH2 400 is based on the BMW M235i, instead of the M2. That being said, the MH2 has a whole host of upgrades over the standard M235i – including an M2-like widebody kit. Manhart upgraded the engine both inside and out, upping power from 326 hp to 430 hp, and torque from 331 lb-ft to 438 lb-ft.
The MH2 400 gets further upgrades to the suspension, differential, wheels, tires, and exhaust. Manhart also spiced up the interior with Recaro bucket seats, a 4-point harness, sports roll-cage, performance handbrake lever, and sports pedals. All-in-all, the Manhart MH2 400 is a great alternative to the BMW M2.
9 MH3 600
The Manhart MH3 600 is based on the current BMW M3. As the name suggests, power has been increased from the standard 510 hp and 480 lb-ft in the M3 Competition to 635 hp and 575 lb-ft for the MH3 600. Upgrades include a Manhart powerbox ECU which changes the engine’s systems to produce more power.
Other upgrades include a choice of stainless-steel exhausts, lowered suspension, sports brakes, and sports tires. The interior received some carbon trim parts and the exterior gets some carbon-fiber parts such as a spoiler, a diffuser, a splitter, and side skirts. The Manhart MH3 600 looks amazing and simply builds upon the already great-looking BMW M3.
8 MH8 800
The Manhart MH8 800 is based on, as can already be guessed, the BMW M8 Competition. But where the M8 Competition only produces 625 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, the MH8 800 produces an atmospheric 823 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. This performance coupled with the 190-mph top speed makes the Manhart MH8 800 the fastest M8 Competition in the world.
As with all Manhart cars, the MH8 has some upgrades over the standard car, including a new ECU unit and some hefty exhaust upgrades, the deletion of both the particulate filters and the catalytic converters – resulting in a more throaty and soulful sound from the rear. The Manhart MH8 800 is a fantastic alternative to the BMW M8 Competition and the exact opposite of the Alpina B8 Bi-Turbo.
7 MH2 450
The Manhart MH2 450 is based on the new BMW M240i coupe and is the perfect performance choice while waiting for the new BMW M2. The MH2 450 has the same 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-6 as in the M240i, but power is up to 450 hp and 480 lb-ft from the normal 375 hp and 370 lb-ft.
The MH2 450 looks awesome with the classic black and gold Manhart livery, as well as the 20-inch Concave One Manhart wheels. The exhaust system also gets an upgrade to stainless steel, and the particulate filters and catalytic converters are deleted. While the new 2 Series was not that much of a looker when it was launched, it has certainly grown on everyone in the few months since.
6 GP3 F350
The Manhart GP3 F350 is a ridiculous little hot hatchback that started out as the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP but has been fettled with to produce 350 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The GP3 retains its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and still sends all the power to the front wheels only through an 8-speed automatic.
The GP3 gets the usual Manhart treatment, including a stainless-steel exhaust, a new air intake system, a more efficient intercooler, and an ECU remapping. On the outside, the GP3 has all the standard wings and accents as the Mini GP, but Manhart added some canards to the front and some performance tires. The Mini GP is great around a track, but with the upgrades by Manhart, it should be nigh unstoppable.
5 GR 550
The Manhart GR 550 is one of the few non-German cars which Manhart has tuned. The reason for this is that the A90 Supra shares almost all of its underpinnings with the BMW Z4 – making it pretty straightforward for Manhart to tune. As such, it has upped the power to 550 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque – quite a substantial bump from the stock 340 hp and 370 lb-ft.
Further, it is pretty much the same upgrades as other BMW models – including a new exhaust system, new intake, better suspension, better tires, and the option of interior trim pieces. The exterior gets new wheels and a Manhart spoiler. The GR 550 would definitely give the BMW M4 Competition a run for its money.
4 GC 800
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is already a ridiculous vehicle with a monstrous engine. Manhart thought it would try its hand at tuning one, so it upped the power to 813 hp and 725 lb-ft. This is still a bit off Hennessey’s insane HPE1000 Trackhawk, but it definitely looks menacing.
To achieve this power, Manhart simply retuned the ECU and fitted a new exhaust system. Other changes include some beefier brakes, sportier suspension, and stickier tires, turning this behemoth of an SUV into a proper contender around a track.
3 CR 700 Wagon
Although Manhart is mostly known for its tuned BMWs, the brand does occasionally branch out to other German marques. One such example is the Mercedes-Benz C 63 S AMG Estate. In its promotional literature, Manhart stated that the CR 700 Wagon is a grand finale of sorts to the AMG V8 in Mercedes-Benz’s smaller cars.
Due to this, Manhart went all-out and increased power from the standard 510 hp, all the way to 710 hp. Torque has been upped to 680 lb-ft from the already impressive 520 lb-ft. The result of this added power is one of the best estate cars ever made – with the golden pinstriping running along the creases in the C63’s body. It looks fantastic!
2 Golf GTI 290
In addition to tuning the performance giants of the German auto industry, Manhart is also open to working its magic on the less powerful vehicles in the German motor world. One of these cars is the legendary VW Golf GTI. Manhart has boosted the power to 290 hp, which isn’t as much of an increase as many of its other creations, but the torque was also upped to 320 lb-ft.
Power is still sent to the front wheels via a slightly retuned 7-speed DSG transmission. The ride height has been lowered, the suspension stiffened to improve cornering ability, and the brakes have been retuned for better performance. As an added bonus, Manhart added its own newly designed rear diffuser to complement the whole look.
1 MH5 GTR
The Manhart MH5 GTR is the ultimate four-door track car. Built using the already fantastic BMW M5 CS, the MH5 GTR produces 788 hp and 690 lb-ft of torque thanks to a new ECU. Manhart replaced the entire intake system with one which breaths better, and the exhaust is missing both its catalytic converters and the particulate filters, resulting in a tremendous roar from the rear of the car.
Other improvements include height-adjustable suspension, adjustable brakes, and top-end sports tires which provide optimum grip through the corners. Manhart also offers painting options on the stock M5 CS rims, as well as lightweight alternatives. The interior only gets Manhart-branded floor mats and the exterior is available with a special colored version of its signature livery. The Manhart MH5 GTR is one of the coolest cars by Manhart and definitely one of the coolest tuned cars ever.