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We decided to take the Flying Spur to a trip to Lapland and I ended up accessorizing it a bit.
The auxiliary driving light is Optibeam Super Captain 600, which effectively increases the light output approximately tenfold compared to OEM high beams. Installation was a breeze with a relay kit and power output from one of the M8 battery poles near the firewall. The rack for the ski box was a bit more difficult. I had a chance to try out a few different models and one from an Audi S8 was pretty close. So I bought the Mont Blanc Readyfit kit, longer bars (126cm) and only had to bend the rear door hooks in a vise slightly. The box is Packline 115, pretty much the largest on the market and it fits like a glove - it's exactly the width of FS roof.
And yes, I ditched the Michelin X-Ice Snow tires I had for winter and got a set of studded GoodYear UltraGrip Arctic 2:s. I've had them on other cars over the years and they're just the ticket for extreme icy conditions.
As far as the temperatures are concerned, they're been hovering between -26 and -30°C today, forecast for tomorrow is -33°C. A bit chilly but the Flying Spur works like a charm. It has started right away every day, warms up faster than the MB G-wagen I had earlier and the only time it struggled a bit was through a 300-mile ice storm on the way up north. Nothing mechanical, just the windshield freezing over frequently even though I had heating at max and blowing through the windshield vent.
As it happens, I'm currently just 70 miles from the Bentley Power on Ice Experience -track and a bit disappointed that I haven't booked a day there. Now it's too late and they can't accommodate on such a short notice. But there are a few ice roads nearby and yes, the FS can be driven like an oversized rally car. I've had FIA racing license since the 80's and I'm positive no-one at Bentley ever imagined their 4-door sedan would have to endure scandi flicks and looooong powerslides on ice. The car is incredibly capable, on par with my wife's RS6 and, dare I say, a close second to my former, heavily modified Escort RS Cosworth in sheer winter driving fun.
And miss out on all the excitement? Where's the fun in that?
Ok, they just shut down the ski lifts because their bearings froze over so I'll have to figure out what to do next. A nice spirited drive on a frozen lake, perhaps? The sun doesn't rise this far up north at all this time of the year so...
X2 on living in Florida! -34C (29F)! Dayim! I'd be yelling "Beam me outta here Scotty!"
We have slightly strange standards for "cold" around here. I just got a message from my buddy who is vacationing at the next ski resort some 50 miles away, they still have lifts running. I'll be driving over tomorrow for a day of skiing and outdoor fun. The forecast for tomorrow? -40°C.
This is rapidly turning into a picture thread but here's one more. The windshield washer fluid that's the "regular" (and pretty much the only) grade available at local gas stations. The -22°C/-7.5°F winter grade fluid I have in the trunk froze solid a few days ago.
I might consider Florida when I retire, though. At least we now know that Bentleys seem to hold their own in arctic winter, I've been mildly surprised how well mine works around here. I expected problems, at least minor ones, but there has been none so far.
OK. The Bentley met its match. After several days at below -30°C it wouldn't shift up normally anymore, not even using the paddles. I needed 70mph for 5th gear and 85mph for 6th gear, which isn't a big deal even on icy roads but the speed limit is 50 or 62mph (80/100km/h), holiday season means that there's lots of traffic enforcement and Finland has exorbitant speeding fines.
On the way back south everything went to normal after the temperature rose above -18°C, approximately zero °F. Time to check any possible stored error codes and see which transmission oil the manufacturer recommends for temperatures like these. Or what they've used in Power on Ice Experience cars.
So, with this exception everything worked great. I was prepared for issues and had a certified mechanic on alert had something gone terribly wrong but not much really did. Now I can call my son and tell him to keep the Volvo, I don't need it anymore.
Driving the Bentley up north is just half the fun. The whole region is an incredible winter wonderland and -30°C was a bit of an anomaly, -5...-10°C is much more common especially in March-April. I've had a ski lodge / hunting cabin there for almost 30 years now. There are lots of high end all inclusive lodges you can rent and if you want privacy, there's plenty. No wonder celebrities and royalties use the region as an escape all the time.
This was my approximately 110th-120th trip there so I'm kind of hooked.
