Dunlop, Bavarian Tuner MTM Create Fastest Bentley Ever

AKRON, Ohio, July 13 -- Bavarian tuning specialist MTM has created the fastest Bentley ever with a 205-mph performance kit of engine upgrades and 21-inch Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ultra-performance tires.

Motoren Technik Mayer GmbH announced that its MTM Bentley Continental GT retains the elegant appearance of the stock vehicle, but beauty is more than skin deep. The tuner supplies various performance kits, ranging from 560 horsepower as standard to an impressive 635 horsepower.

A second performance kit delivers 650 hp, propelling the 2.5-ton luxury sports car from 0-to-100 mph in 4.8 seconds, MTM said.

Mounted onto MTM "bimoto" alloy wheels are award-winning Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 285/30ZR21 XL ultra-performance tires. Silvana Valencic, segment product manager for Dunlop North America, said the brand's premium luxury sport tire "is increasingly being specified by professional tuners and automakers for their high-performance sports cars.

"The SP Sport Maxx and the MTM Bentley Continental GT command respect. The beautiful lines of the sheet metal can't hide the power that is delivered to these massive tires," Valencic said.

To help make the MTM Bentley the fastest ever, the Dunlop tires feature the latest in tire technology, including:

  - Multi-Radius Tread Technology, which also appears in its race tires used
    in the German Touring Car Championship race series, delivers even
    pressure across the tire's footprint and a larger contact patch to help
    provide excellent dry handling capabilities. Improved pressure
    distribution across the footprint also facilitates a smooth transition
    from straight driving through all stages of cornering.
  - JointLess Band Technology, with up to three layers of spiral wound cap
    ply, helps maintain the tire's ideal shape at highway speeds. The
    technology allows the fabric cap ply to be positioned for optimal
    footprint shape for improved handling and treadwear. Because the plies
    are spiral wound -- without splices -- the resulting tire uniformity and
    ride are great.
  - 5-Pitch Technology enhances riding comfort with varied sizes of tread
    blocks arranged in a diverse pattern create sound frequencies that
    cancel each other.
  - Twin Hydro-Paddle Technology incorporates a unique directional tread
    design that rapidly and efficiently drains water from both sides of the
    tire for improved wet handling.
  - Solid middle rib efficiently transfers lateral forces for excellent
    stability at highway speeds.
  - Integral Rubber Matrix tread compound of optimized silica and highly
    structured carbon black blend delivers excellent acceleration and
    braking performance.

Besides the ultra-performance Dunlop tires, MTM's Bentley Continental GT performance kits also include specially tuned exhaust, lowered suspension and braking systems.

MTM said it would use Dunlop's SP Sport Maxx tires on its 21-inch "bimoto" wheel rims, which will be a part of other performance packages. The German tuner also specializes in kits for Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche.

Valencic said the Dunlop brand's presence on European performance cars is legendary, but its "focus on the tuner segment establishes the brand as a trendsetter. It takes the Dunlop brand to a new level of awareness.

"Tuners and the people who own these specialized vehicles are passionate about tires. They know that the correct tires can enhance the look and performance of their vehicles," she said. The brand has focused on making "tuner sizes" in 17-inch to 24-inch wheel diameters.

Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts. Well known for its prestigious original- equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage, Dunlop is also a key supplier to sport compact enthusiasts featuring "tuner" tire sizes and race series sponsorships.

For more on Dunlop performance, go to http://www.dunloptires.com/.