Arctic Ice Mastered: Bentley’s Flying Spur Smashes Winter Lap Record

• Flying Spur Speed laps the ice-covered Drivecenter Arena in northern Sweden in record time
• 2:58 lap time is the quickest ever recorded in winter conditions
• Drivecenter Arena – just 100 miles from the Arctic Circle – is the most northerly active race track in the world this winter
• 2.05-mile (3.3 km) track lapped with a peak speed of 120 mph despite the track being covered in ice
• Completely standard car, in production spec apart from studded 21” winter tyres, to suit the conditions

SWEDEN — Bentley has once again proven that “luxury” and “extreme performance” are not mutually exclusive, even when the thermometer drops well below zero. In a display of engineering dominance, the new Bentley Flying Spur Speed has established a blistering new ‘Winter Lap Record’ at the Drivecenter Arena in northern Sweden—the most northerly active racetrack in the world.

The Record-Breaking Run

Navigating a 2.05-mile (3.3 km) circuit buried under 12 inches of ice and snow, the Flying Spur Speed clocked a staggering lap time of 2:58.

Despite the treacherous surface and a main straight measuring just 450 meters, the luxury grand tourer reached a peak speed of 120 mph (193 km/h). This feat marks the quickest any vehicle has ever lapped the facility in winter conditions.

Technical Prowess on Ice

The record-setting car was a completely standard production model, with the sole exception of 21-inch studded winter tires. The success of the run is attributed to Bentley’s advanced chassis technology:

• Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain: Combining a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor to deliver a massive 782 PS (771 bhp) and 1,000 Nm of torque.
• Bentley Performance Active Chassis: Featuring All-Wheel Steering and Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control) to maintain composure while sliding across sheet ice.
• Variable All-Wheel Drive: Precisely distributing power to whichever wheel has the most bite, essential for maintaining forward momentum on 30cm of frozen ground.

A Tribute to Heritage

The car used for the record—registered Y15 BML—was meticulously specced to honor the 40th anniversary of the legendary Bentley Turbo R. It featured a classic Brooklands Green exterior with yellow pinstriping, while the cabin was trimmed in Linen and Cumbrian Green hide with Open Pore Walnut.

This achievement draws a direct line from Bentley’s historic ice speed records in 2007 and 2011 to the modern era of electrified performance.

Performance Specs at a Glance

Image & Video Courtesy: Bentley Media