Bentley took its Flying Spur Speed to the ice-covered Drivecenter Arena in northern Sweden and set a new winter lap record. The track sits about 100 miles from the Arctic Circle and operates as the most northern active racing circuit during winter. On a surface covered with roughly a foot of ice and snow, the sedan clocked a 2:58 lap time, now the quickest recorded there in winter conditions.
Winter record run at the world’s most northern active racetrack
The car used for the attempt was a standard-production Flying Spur Speed running studded 21-inch winter tires. Even in these conditions, it reached 120 mph on the track’s 450-meter straight, which was coated in sheet ice. The run highlighted how much grip the variable All Wheel Drive system and rear-wheel steering could deliver on a frozen circuit.
The effort drew inspiration from earlier moments in Bentley’s cold-weather history, including Ice Speed Record attempts in 2007 and 2011. The car also featured a visual reference to the Turbo R, which set a one-hour endurance record in 1986. Finished in Brooklands Green with yellow pin stripes and an interior trimmed to match the older sedan, the Flying Spur marked the Turbo R’s 40th anniversary. All mechanical systems remained standard, and electronic stability control was switched off for the record run.
Powertrain and chassis details
Power comes from an Ultra Performance Hybrid setup that pairs a 592-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a 187-hp electric motor, mounted within an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. In Sport Mode, the system delivers 771 hp and 738 ft-lbs of torque, while pure EV running provides up to 47 miles of electric range on the EU cycle. Combined range is rated at 515 miles.
Chassis systems include the Bentley Performance Active Chassis with Dynamic Ride, all-wheel steering, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Torque vectoring works across both axles to find traction, which proved helpful during the record attempt on the frozen 2.05-mile circuit.
