More Power and 1,000 Pounds Less Weight Transform the Grand Tourer to Supercar Status If a tuner were to remove 1,000 pounds (454 kilos) from most any other sports coupe, no doubt it could be considered a  | | The Genaddi Design Group has produced the Bentley Continental GT/LM, over 1,000 pounds (454 kilos) lighter than the stock model. (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | lightweight model, but starting at 2,385 kilograms (5,258 pounds) for Bentley's Continental GT puts the lightweight version in BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class territory, hardly lightweight. Nevertheless, the Bentley Continental GT's 551 horsepower 6.0-L, 48-valve, DOHC, twin-turbocharged W12 powerplant with 479 lb-ft of torque moves it along briskly even at its stock curb weight, achieving zero to 100 km/h in a scant 4.8 seconds. Remove 1,000 pounds (454 kilos) and sprints to 100 will no doubt be approaching the high 3- or low 4-second range. The Continental GT/LM isn't a skunkworks project from Crewe, Bentley's manufacturing plant, nor a one off from Mulliner Park Ward, the firm's customizing division, similar in theory to BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz' AMG, albeit with a much greater history in  | | Seeing that the stock Continental GT's 551-hp engine can propel it from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, the even more powerful 1,000 pound lighter tuner version should break the 4.0 second mark. (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | specialized coach building. Rather, this unorthodox Bentley comes from the Genaddi Design Group, a U.S. firm under the direction of master coach builder Mark Gerisch. What makes the GT/LM so lightweight in comparison to the stock Continental GT? It doesn't sport a tubular chassis or anything, but instead makes use of the stock framework set out by Bentley, which is one of the strongest unitized chassis' in the industry. The suspension, brakes and internal engine components are also untouched, the thought being if they were good enough to carry, stop and power a 2,385 kilo (5,258 pound) car they'd be easily up to the task of doing so when 1,000 pound (454 kilo) ballast was removed from the scale.
Instead, Genaddi Design enhanced the Continental GT theme to include carbon fiber body panels, a steel roof panel, a  | | The Genaddi Design Group is a U.S. firm under the direction of master coach builder Mark Gerisch. Here, Genaddi craftsmen reconstruct a Bentley Arnage into an Arnage Shooting Brake (wagon). (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | radically redesigned front carbon fiber air splitter, rear carbon fiber diffuser with rear under tray, a unique roof vent, and 20X11 BBS lightweight wheels wrapped with Pirelli low profile P Zero tires. Inside the GT/LM features a roll cage, carbon fiber Sparco racing seats with 5-point harnesses, a shorter carbon fiber center consol, carbon fiber inner and outer door skins, Lexguard quarter windows with brake and differential cooling lines, and a fire suppression system. To further remove weight, Genaddi removed and then replaced the rear seat with a shelf, took out the insulation and carpets, plus any other product that took up space and weight, and added pressed aluminum floor pans. Just because Genaddi Design didn't mess with the engine's internals, didn't mean they refrained from doing anything to improve power. Picking up the pace are new larger flow turbos, a more efficient fuel delivery system,  | | The GT/LM uses the stock framework, suspension, brakes and internal engine components set out by Bentley. (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | larger air corrector and throttle body, more advanced ECU/ECM electronics, and higher-flow air cleaner than stock, plus Borla stainless steel hi-flow mufflers and 2 ¾ stainless steel exhaust tubes, finished off with stainless steel exhaust tips. The 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift actuated manual-mode remains untouched, as does the car's advanced all-wheel drive system. The final piece de resistance is a special green and silver racing paint scheme, that makes the GT/LM appear ready to tackle the GT class at Le Mans. Of course, Bentley is already a Le Mans winner, many times over, but the prospect of the massive Continental GT taking on the lightweight Porsches and BMW M3s is intriguing.
The big Bentley might look more appropriate in the German DTM series, especially with its aerodynamically designed fender flares,  | | The Bentley GT/LM isn't Genaddi Design's first redesigned upscale cruiser. This Maybach 62 convertible looks superb, but just don't ask how much. (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | swoopy front air dam and revolutionary front fascia modifications. It seems that Genaddi Design has done what few people would have considered possible, let alone probable, transforming one of the world's best grand touring cars into a Ferrari fighter. In case you were wondering, Genaddi Design redesigned and tuned many more cars before the GT/LM, including a seriously upscale Continental GT featuring a retractable hardtop, a  | | Not strictly focusing on ultra high end tuners, Genaddi also designed a rather odd Jeep Grand Cherokee pickup truck conversion. (Photo: Genaddi Design Group) | Bentley Arnage shooting brake (wagon), a Rolls-Royce Phantom convertible, Phantom Limousine, Maybach 62 convertible, a really odd Jeep Grand Cherokee pickup truck conversion, and more. Make sure to check the gallery for more, larger photos of these unique vehicles. Those interested in the GT/LM only need to tack on $202,718 to the stock Continental GT's $230,990 base price, and then contact Mark Von Edward Genaddi Gerisch, CEO of Genaddi Design Group at 920-905-0499. Only 50 will be produced, and considering Continental GT sales are now in the mid-four-figure range it shouldn't take long for all to find good homes.
Specifications: - Base Price: $433,708
- Body Type: 2-door coupe
- Layout: front engine, AWD
- Engine (estimated): 560 hp, 480 lb-ft of torque, 6.0-L, 48-valve, DOHC, twin-turbocharged W12
- Transmission: 6-spd auto with paddle shift actuated manual mode
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Curb Weight: 1,931 kg (4,258 lbs)
- Performance (estimated 0 - 100 km/h): 4.0 seconds
- Top Speed: over 320 km/h (200 mph)
- Cargo Volume (trunk): 370 L (13.1 cu ft)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): N/A
- Web Site: www.vgdauto.com
Note: Additional larger photos are available in the photo album.
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