Praga Bohema becomes fastest pure combustion car around Dunsfold track
Stunning summer also sees Praga present a triple handover of customer supercars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
The Bohema supercar, from Czech manufacturer Praga, has become the fastest ever production pure combustion road car to lap the Dunsfold Test Track in Surrey, UK. Setting a 1:09.8 time at the former Top Gear circuit, the Praga Bohema supercar was driven to Dunsfold and then came within the blink of an eye of the time set by the 1,140 bhp hybrid Aston Martin Valkyrie earlier this year – demonstrating the capabilities of Praga’s lightweight (1,000kg), 700bhp, race-bred road-legal supercar. For the full list of Dunsfold lap times see FastestLaps.com/Tracks/Top-Gear-Track.
Driven by ex-Stig Ben Collins on standard road tyres, the Praga Bohema demonstrated how its combination of ultra-lightweight carbon fibre construction, 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine, race-bred suspension, and carbon ceramic brakes combine to produce a formidable road and track package.
Ben Collins, ex-Stig and Praga test driver: “Setting such a fast time at Dunsfold on regular road tyres was such a thrill. I knew the Bohema would be fast, but Dunsfold’s tight turns and short straights are not ideal for a car that lives and breathes downforce. It shows how potent the mix of lightweight engineering, great aerodynamics, and pure combustion can be – even up against hybrid hypercars from established brands with more than 1,000 horsepower. The owners taking delivery of their Bohema at Goodwood are in for the time of their lives as their new cars take to the Hill!”
The VBox-verified 1:09.8 lap time follows production car testing and customer drives so far in 2025 at Spa, Nürburgring, Zandvoort, and the Red Bull Ring. Completed on regular road tyres the achievement is all the more remarkable as Ben Collins also drove the car to the circuit. With the VBox telemetry fitted, Ben simply unpacked his race suit and helmet from the car’s side storage pods, warmed the street tyres and took to the track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCRoQ93JdCA.
Collins: “We probably only did half a dozen hot laps in the time available, but with VBox timing I could see my purple sectors were looking good – if I had put together the perfect lap, we would have been at the top of the list. But, fastest ever pure-petrol road car at the first attempt is a pretty good result too. I look forward to showing the crowds at Goodwood just what the car is capable of.”
Tomas Kasparek, Praga Cars Owner: “I was delighted to see the time Bohema achieved at Dunsfold. It confirms the top level of performance capabilities of the car and it underlines its potential. More than the impressive number on the stopwatch this highlights the incredible effort made by the whole team – and, of course, Ben’s super driving skills. I’m extremely proud.”
Next challenge for Collins: Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb
The Dunsfold track achievement came as the 118-year-old Czech brand announced a triple customer car handover at the forthcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. The first Bohema customer car delivery happened in December in the Netherlands, while the Goodwood handovers will see owners fly in from around the world – including the first US owner – to take delivery and enjoy a thrilling ride up the Goodwood Hill.
As well as piloting the Bohema supercar up the Goodwood Hill, Praga test driver and ambassador, Ben Collins, will join Praga Cars owner, Tomas Kasparek and the Praga team to hand over three new customer cars during the weekend. As part of the UK car’s release, GF Williams – one of the world’s most celebrated car photographers – has produced a stunning set of studio shots of a purple Praga Bohema as well as getting exclusive access to Goodwood House.
Tomas Kasparek, Praga Cars Owner: “The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the best place in the world to hand over our Bohema supercars to our new clients. We’ve enjoyed working with our customers this spring, especially Herman van der Pavert, the owner of the first Bohema production car. As a new brand in the supercar market, every one of our customers is hugely important to us so, as we share the journey with them, we seek out ways to demonstrate our appreciation. I hope they enjoy going up the hill with Ben and that all the fans enjoy the spectacle with us.”
Customers taking delivery of their Praga Bohema at Goodwood will receive a true race-bred supercar. The 700 bhp 750 Nm torque V6 engine sits in a sub-frame directly behind the cockpit, with the Hewland sequential gearbox driving the rear wheels. This powertrain combined with the lightweight full carbon fibre body and monocoque deliver GT3 race car matching lap times on road tyres. The essential combination of power and lightweight paired with aerodynamics signed-off in an F1 wind tunnel produces more than 900 kg (almost 2,000 lbs) of downforce at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Every Bohema is hand built in the Czech Republic to the owner’s exacting specification with each model featuring unique colours and trim details. Prospective customers can find out more and order their car at PragaGlobal.com or contact Praga at sales@pragacars.com.
