Earlier today, we brought you a piece of news about a new speed record for a car on ice being set by a tire manufacturer that took an Audi RS6 on the Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland, put a test driver behind the wheel of the car and sent it on the makeshift track at speeds of 206,05 mph (331,610 km/h). For the record, Bentley's achievement, so highly advertised and even put on display at the Geneva Auto Show, was “only” 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h).
Now, because of a very interesting reply from Nokian Tyres, we are forced (and have the pleasure to) come back on the story and tell you a bit more about the record-setting run.
When Bentley broke the speed record for a car on ice back in February, it used Pirelli SottoZero II tires on the Continental Supersports. That, apparently, didn't sit well with the guys from Nokian, who wanted to prove their tires are better. Here's what the Finnish tire maker had to say about their take at Pirelli's involvement with Bentley and the record they've set last week.
“We wanted to take the record back to us because Bentley used competitor´s tires, and we, of course, could not let that be,” the statement Nokian sent us reads.
“As for the car, we just used one of our own high speed test cars (which happened to be an Audi RS6). So, Audi has not taken part in this attempt in any way. Also, there are no separate records for tires, cars or drivers etc, just one "fastest car on ice."
We happen to agree. Which means, by all intents and purposes that (provided the conditions of the two attempts are comparable), the Audi RS6 is now the holder of the fastest car on ice title. Which means, once again, that Audi should take some pride in it, just like we said in the original piece (or Volkswagen, who owns both brands).
Now, because of a very interesting reply from Nokian Tyres, we are forced (and have the pleasure to) come back on the story and tell you a bit more about the record-setting run.
When Bentley broke the speed record for a car on ice back in February, it used Pirelli SottoZero II tires on the Continental Supersports. That, apparently, didn't sit well with the guys from Nokian, who wanted to prove their tires are better. Here's what the Finnish tire maker had to say about their take at Pirelli's involvement with Bentley and the record they've set last week.
“We wanted to take the record back to us because Bentley used competitor´s tires, and we, of course, could not let that be,” the statement Nokian sent us reads.
“As for the car, we just used one of our own high speed test cars (which happened to be an Audi RS6). So, Audi has not taken part in this attempt in any way. Also, there are no separate records for tires, cars or drivers etc, just one "fastest car on ice."
We happen to agree. Which means, by all intents and purposes that (provided the conditions of the two attempts are comparable), the Audi RS6 is now the holder of the fastest car on ice title. Which means, once again, that Audi should take some pride in it, just like we said in the original piece (or Volkswagen, who owns both brands).