2008 MTM Bentley GTC Birkin Edition review

MTM Bentley GTC Birkin Edition review:

The Bentley Continental GTC is one of the most beautiful ways to drive "topless". Nevertheless, Motorentechnik Mayer has a number of tuning measures up its sleeve which accentuate its strengths without distorting its character. For example, besides a compact attachment at the rear, no measures are implemented that might detract from the elegant appearance of the Continental GTC.

MTM was not looking to alter the characteristic and unmistakable shape. To add the finishing touch, the Bavarian tuning specialist equips this British car with a set of chunky 21-inch bimoto alloy wheels. However, a great deal more is going on beneath the bodywork of a Bentley Continental GTC from MTM. For this reason the Continental GTC is not only one of the most beautiful ways but also one of the fastest ways to drive "topless."

Fast, faster, MTM

MTM supplies various performance kits. The spectrum ranges from optimized programming of the control electronics through to the complete conversion of the engine unit. All the versions have been developed by MTM on its proprietary dynamometers and thoroughly tested in road and racing use. 560 bhp as standard and a top speed of 318 km/h should actually suffice for the highways of this world.

But MTM always aspires to the maximum. In an initial power class, MTM boosts the power of the 12 cylinder engine by recalibrating the engine electronics to 635 bhp / 467 kW and the torque to an impressive 780 Nm. With the second performance kit, MTM conjures up to 650 bhp / 478 kW out of this large 6-liter W12 engine, which then generates a staggering 795 Nm with ease instead of the already impressive 650 Nm of the production version. The 2.5 ton blockbuster converts this increased torque in 4.2 seconds for the sprint from "zero to hundred" (series: 4.8 s). A small world lies between the series and MTM top speed. On the high-speed Nardo oval in Italy, where the 300 km/h+ elite meet up every year for a showdown, the MTM-modified coupe version of the GTC, the GT, produced proven 331 km/h, making it the fastest Bentley ever built! Given the same power, the MTM Continental GTC is therefore one of the fastest ways to drive "topless."

The Continental GTC is allowed to make this increased power public by means of an MTM exhaust system from the catalytic converter, including a center and end muffler with throttle control. The exhaust system is included in power class II. The MTM exhaust systems are developed on a dyno. The crucial factor in the development is to ensure a maximum level of throughput and performance whilst abiding by the legally prescribed noise limit values. By means of an intelligent choice of material, namely high-grade, polished stainless steels, MTM achieves a low-weight design, which offers maximum durability at the same time.

A 4-pipe rear apron visual effect is available both for the sound-optimized MTM exhaust system and for the standard-fitted exhaust system.

Know-how from the racing circuit

When it comes to suspension systems, Bentley has always drawn on unlimited resources. Nevertheless, to lend this high-performance car a sportier look, MTM is offering an electronically lowered suspension by means of a complex reprogramming of the software. In this regard, the calibration developed in Nardo and Hockenheim ensures a maximum level of ride comfort and the necessary residual spring travel is retained by the solution offered by MTM. The sportier look obtained by lowering the suspension harmonizes perfectly with the MTM "bimoto" wheel rims, which MTM supplies for the front and rear axle in the dimension 10.5×21″ ET40 LK 5×112 in the variants "Diamond Cut" and "shiny silver". Needless to say, MTM also supplies the rims as a complete set of wheels. They are combined with Dunlop tires in the size 285/30. The MTM alloy rim has been developed to ensure the problem-free fitting of the MTM sports braking systems.

Continental GT Speed

For the latest Bentley model, the GT Speed, MTM currently is preparing a power upgrade resulting in 750 hp (551 kw). This power should make a top speed of 340 km/h possible!