Bentley Continental Supersports convertible - World's Fastest
To prove once again their remarkable abilities under these conditions, Finland's four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen has been clocked at an amazing 330.695km/h - that's more than 205mph in the old money - in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible.
As well as winning the 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1993 world rally championships, the Finnish driver boasts seriously impressive motorsport credentials, including winning a total of 23 WRC championships events and the 1988 Dakar rally.
Driving on the hazardous frozen waters of the Baltic Sea off the coast of his home country and using E85 bio-ethanol, the all-wheel drive, six-litre, 12-cylinder Bentley allowed Kankkunen to break his own 2007 world ice speed record of 321.6 km/h set in the Continental GT at the same location.
During the run, Kankkunen had to overcome temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celcius, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5km track that was established on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice.
The new record was achieved on a 1000m long measured distance with the speed certified by the Finland's traffic police and based on the average of two runs in opposite directions. A representative of the Guinness Book of Records ratified the measured speeds.
Kankkunen said that back in 2007, he narrowly missed the magical 200mph mark in a Continental GT.
"When I heard about the Supersports, I was determined to go record breaking again with the Bentley boys," he explained.
"This time, with over 600bhp under the bonnet, a Quickshift transmission and the security of the all-wheel drive system, the Supersports convertible was the perfect car to go for the record," Kankkunen added.
He said that 200mph came up after 5km on sheet ice.
"Then it was just a question of getting everything right in the timing zone and hoping the snow kept away. There's nothing to beat driving a Bentley at these speeds; the conditions may be perilous but the car responds so well to the slightest adjustment which gives you the confidence to push even harder," Kankkunen said.
As with the previous record-breaking drive in the Continental GT, the Anglo-Finnish team used a car with a minimum of modification.
The Bentley was fitted with a heavy-duty roll cage and shod with Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20 winter tyres. A rear-bumper-mounted parachute was added for extra safety and front-and-rear spoilers provided optimum high-speed stability on the treacherous surface.
Bentley's new chief Wolfgang Durheimer describes the new ice speed record as an amazing feat. "We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special 'extreme' Bentley that will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem," Durkeimer announced.
After making its debut at the recent Geneva motor show, just 100 examples of the car will be built.
