Bentley Flying Spur sets ‘winter lap record’ on 12 inches of ice in Sweden
A Bentley Flying Spur Speed has proved its ability in the snow by setting a new ‘winter lap record’ at the world’s most northerly active race circuit.
The lap time of 2 minutes 58 seconds was the quickest any vehicle has managed around the Drivecenter Arena in Fällfors, northern Sweden, which lies just 100 miles from the Arctic Circle.
Icy inspiration from past achievements
The record attempt was inspired by Bentley’s previous endeavours, most notably the two Ice Speed Records achieved by a Continental GT in 2007, where a top speed of 199.86 mph was reached on a stretch of the frozen Baltic Sea and a Continental Supersport in 2011, this time managing 205 mph. Both records were achieved by Finnish world rally champion Juha Kankkunen.
There was also the one hour endurance record set by a Turbo R in 1986 at Millbrook Proving Ground, with icy conditions there mirroring those seen in the Baltics.
Only one alteration to production model
The 2.05-mile track — which used to serve as a military base — is covered in 12 inches of ice and snow and features a 450-metre-long straight covered in sheet ice. Despite this, the Flying Spur used to break the record was a completely standard production spec car, with 21 inch winter tyres the only alteration made to face the conditions. At peak speed, the Bentley managed 120 mph and made use of its 591 bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, variable four-wheel drive system and rear-wheel steering to negotiate the track.
Add in the electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and you’re looking at a combined 776 bhp, along with 1,000 Nm of torque.
Winter record makes up for Goodwood disappointment
Bentley’s exploits on the ice follow its record time for an ICE production SUV, set by the Bentayga Speed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb. The time of 55.8 seconds in wet conditions was set by Andy Marson, although this record was soon beaten by an Aston Martin DBX S, which posted a time of 53.12 seconds
words: Mike Booth
pictures & video: Bentley