Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible breaks world record on ice

The previous record was also set by four-time world rally champion Kankkunen, when he drove a Bentley Continental GT on a 1000m long straight across the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. He set an average speed of 321.6km/h during that attempt in 2007.

Kankkunen has now smashed that record four years on, when he drove a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible at the same place, setting an average speed of 330.695km/h, and breaking his own previous world record in the process.

"The last time, I narrowly missed the magical 200 mph mark in a Continental GT. When I heard about the Supersports I was determined to go record breaking again with the Bentley Boys. 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," said Kankkunen.

"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."

For both the record breaking runs in 2007 and 2011, Kankkunen and his team used a standard car with just a few modifications for safety. These include a heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20 winter tyres and a rear bumper-mounted parachute, plus front and rear spoilers.