We recently reported the new world speed record on ice, set by Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible. Now, Bentley has announced a limited run of 100 ‘Ice Speed Record’ models, to celebrate this outstanding achievement.

Kankkunen achieved a speed of 205.48mph in the all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible on the frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland, thanks to the 631bhp of this, ‘the most powerful Bentley ever’, coupled with the outstanding traction of four-wheel drive. Remarkably, the feat was accomplished on ordinary winter tyres – without studs.

As Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley’s new Chairman and Chief Executive, put it, “Juha Kankkunen’s drive was a remarkable achievement and worthy of a very special car. The Continental Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ is a true driver’s car that captures that unique Bentley spirit.”

Bentley’s designers have selected three ‘stand-out’ exterior paint colours for the new ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible: Beluga, Quartzite and, fittingly, Arctica White, all complemented by a Dark Grey Metallic soft top. Wheels are 20in, 10-spoke Supersports with a dark tint finish.

In the cockpit, traditional leather hides sit alongside diamond-quilted Alcantara on the doors, quarter panels and seat facings. Unique to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ cars is the high-gloss carbonfibre on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel. There is Pillar Box red piping to seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

And of course, that W12 engine, paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, launches the convertible ‘Ice Speed Record’ model from 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, and from 0-100mph in a mere 9.5 seconds.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Bentley