A new ‘flying mile’ UK land speed record has just been set by actor Idris Elba behind the wheel of a Bentley Continental GT Speed.
While driving the GT Speed, Elba managed to reach a confirmed top speed of 290.263 km/h (180.361 mph). The previous record was set 88 years ago by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the Napier-Campbell Blue Bird at 281.3 km/h (174.8 mph). Elba’s record was verified by the UK Timing Association during filming for the actor’s upcoming Discovery Channel series dubbed Idris Elba: No Limits.
Discussing the achievement, Elba said “I’m absolutely elated to have broken the ‘Flying Mile’ at Pendine Sands. It’s an honour to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”
As for the Bentley Continental GT Speed itself, it features a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine delivering a total of 635 hp and 820 Nm of torque. When mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the car reaches 100 km/h in a brisk 4 seconds as well as a top speed of 331 km/h.
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ACTOR IDRIS ELBA BREAKS HISTORIC ‘FLYING MILE’ RECORD IN BENTLEY
Bentley helps Elba follow in famous footsteps of Sir Malcolm Campbell
Continental GT Speed and Hollywood star break 88-year-old record
Award-winning actor achieves180.361 mph on Pendine Sands, Wales
(Crewe, 7 May, 2015) Idris Elba, star of Luther and The Wire, piloted a Bentley to break the historic ‘Flying Mile’ UK land speed record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927.
The award-winning actor hit a top speed of 180.361 mph at the wheel of a new Continental GT Speed on Pendine Sands, Wales. This broke the existing record of 174.8 mph set by Sir Malcolm nearly 90 years ago in his legendary Napier-Campbell Blue Bird. The record was independently verified by the UK Timing Association.
Elba, who famously played Nelson Mandela in the multi-award winning Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, said: “I’m absolutely elated to have broken the ‘Flying Mile’ at Pendine Sands. It’s an honour to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”
Despite some challenging tidal conditions on the beach in south Wales, the record was broken in the Crewe-built Continental during filming for an upcoming four-part Discovery Channel series, Idris Elba: No Limits, which will air in July.
Bentley Continental GT Speed
Powered by Bentley’s iconic 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the GT Speed develops 635 PS and 820 Nm for instantly accessible high performance. Coupled with a new ZF eight-speed close-ratio automatic transmission and state-of-the-art engine management software, the GT Speed despatches the zero-to-sixty sprint in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2s), on its way to a top speed of 331 km/h (206 mph).
In the Bentley Speed tradition, outstanding performance is matched by an enhanced chassis with up-rated springs, anti-roll bars and bushes, a lowered ride height (by 10mm front and rear) together with re-tuning of the electronically controlled damping and steering systems.
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