Day 6: Arvidsjaur (Sweden) –> Kiruna (Sweden)

After breakfast we head out to our car – which has spent its first time sitting outside under the cold night sky.

With all the surfaces on the car covered in a crystalline frost.

So it wasn't too surprising to see that the oil temperature in the car was a freezing -21c. Many parking spots here in Sweden have a 230v outlet that you can plug your car in to keep the engine block above freezing overnight; but while many Volvo's in this region have that option, it is not possible on a Porsche 911 – at least from the factory.

Starting the engine under these conditions is no different from warmer climates – mostly because the process is entirely computer controlled anyway – but the engine does tend to take a few seconds longer to fire and start turning over.

Having good winter properties of the engine oil is vital to prevent premature engine wear due to oil starvation.

Once the cabin has warmed up and the window glass has cleared, we head north out of the town – with a clear blue sky above us.

Stopping off at a local petrol station on the outskirts to pick up some 98 octane fuel for the day.

It is a little annoying that even though the car knows we routed to a petrol station, it still warns of low fuel and asks if we want help finding said station!

Today is an important milestone for this trip because we will cross over the arctic circle about 150 km of where we stayed last night.

As we push on north, the day remains bright and fresh – perfect arctic weather – and very little traffic.

With the outside temperatures falling to -29c – the lowest we've ever experienced.

With little traffic we pull in frequently to admire the quietness and the view. The endless forest trees of Sweden being the most spectacular experience. Just thousands of kilometres of wilderness and trees.

As we push northwards, the roads become a little less plowed in places, but our winter tyres have no issue gripping into the snow surface and provide plenty of traction.

My co-driver being well wrapped up from the elements when taking pictures.

Eventually arriving at the actual arctic circle – our first time crossing it in a petrol (non-EV) vehicle.

We still have a long drive north to reach our destination in Kiruna.

Arriving into Kiruna as darkness falls – early in this region – and finding free outside parking near our hotel for the next three nights.

Stats

Today we did 377 km over 6:42 hours, with an average speed of 57 km/h, consuming 9.6 litres/100 km.