Bentley Continental Supersports sets 205mph world ice speed record
Juha Kankkunen piloted a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible to 205.48mph on the frozen Baltic Sea, breaking his own previous world record for speed on ice.
Juha Kankkunen, four-time World Rally champion, set a new world speed record on ice by reaching 205.48mph (330.695km/h) in a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. The attempt took place on the frozen Baltic Sea off Finland, where Kankkunen surpassed his own previous record from 2007.
The Continental Supersports Convertible used for the record run was powered by a 6.0-litre W12 engine, delivering over 600bhp. Bentley ran the car on E85 bioethanol to highlight its commitment to alternative fuels, with all Continental models at the time capable of running on petrol, E85 or any blend of the two.
How the record was set
Kankkunen’s run took place on a 1,000-metre measured section of ice, with officials from the Finnish Traffic Police certifying the speed. The final figure was calculated as the average of two runs in opposite directions, as required for official ratification. A representative from Guinness World Records was present to confirm the result.
To maximise safety at speeds above 200mph on sheet ice, Bentley fitted the car with a fully welded roll cage and a rear bumper-mounted parachute. Pirelli SottoZero II winter tyres in 275/40R20 size provided grip, while additional front and rear spoilers helped maintain stability. Apart from these safety and stability modifications, the car remained close to standard specification.
Why Bentley pursued the record
For Bentley, the record was both a demonstration of the Continental’s performance and a statement about its biofuel capability. The company’s CO2 strategy at the time included offering models capable of running on renewable fuels. The record attempt provided an opportunity to showcase this technology in extreme conditions.
The achievement also reinforced Bentley’s credentials for high-speed engineering, with the Supersports Convertible already recognised as the world’s fastest four-seat convertible. The record run, held on a treacherous frozen surface, highlighted the car’s all-wheel-drive system and chassis stability at the limit.
Minimal modifications for extreme conditions
Bentley kept modifications to a minimum to preserve the integrity of the production car. The safety roll cage, winter tyres and parachute were added for protection, but the engine, transmission and drivetrain remained as standard. This approach allowed Bentley to claim the record with a car that closely matched what buyers could order from the showroom.
Record in context
Kankkunen’s achievement stands out among world speed records for its combination of outright velocity and the hazardous conditions of sheet ice. The feat joined other extreme motoring records, such as those covered in our feature on World Record Highways: A Journey Through Extremes.
