Praga Bohema Nearly Matches Aston Martin Valkyrie at Top Gear Track with Blistering Lap Time.
When it comes to hypercars, names like Bugatti, Ferrari, and Koenigsegg often dominate headlines. However, a lesser-known Czech automaker, Praga, has made a splash in the industry with its latest achievement. The Praga Bohema, a street-legal hypercar, has set a blistering lap time of 1:09.8 around the famous Dunsfold Aerodrome, better known as the Top Gear test track. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that it was only 0.1 seconds behind the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a vehicle boasting nearly 500 more horsepower.
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A Small Automaker, A Huge Feat
Praga has long been respected for its engineering prowess, but this latest triumph solidifies its position among elite hypercar manufacturers. Led by Ben Collins, a former Stig on Top Gear and a seasoned race driver, the Bohema demonstrated incredible performance on road tires—without extensive trackside modifications. Collins even drove the car to the track himself before setting the lap time, a testament to the hypercar’s usability.
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How The Praga Bohema Achieved This Feat
- Lightweight Design: The car weighs under 2,300 pounds, significantly less than many competitors.
- Aerodynamic Efficiency: Developed with F1-inspired aerodynamics, Praga tested the Bohema in a Formula One wind tunnel.
- Superior Handling: Collins described the car’s front-end grip as “a Verstappen setup”, allowing the car to tuck into corners with precision.
- Advanced Braking System: The hypercar is equipped with a high-performance ABS system that enables extremely late braking, enhancing lap times.
Collins suggested that wider tires alone could have propelled the Bohema past the Valkyrie, hinting that Praga might return to the track for another attempt. Additionally, slight adjustments in power output from its Nissan GT-R-derived 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine, which currently produces 700 horsepower, could further enhance lap performance.
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Unlike many startup hypercar manufacturers that struggle with build quality, the Bohema stands out as a well-engineered machine. Collins praised the car’s durability, noting that the tested prototype had over 33,500 miles on it yet felt as solid as cars produced by legacy brands like Ferrari and Porsche.
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Praga’s remarkable record lap at the Dunsfold Aerodrome has sparked excitement in the automotive industry. As the Bohema continues to prove its capabilities, many enthusiasts are eager to see how it fares against other hypercars in different testing conditions. Will Praga make another record-breaking attempt? Only time will tell.
