No hybrid tricks, no trailer drop-offs—just one wild Czech supercar driven to the track, strapped with road tires, and let loose.
The Praga Bohema, a 700-horsepower, race-bred road car from Czech manufacturer Praga, has just made history. Clocking a VBox-verified lap time of 1:09.8 at the former Top Gear test track in Surrey, UK, the Bohema has officially become the fastest pure-combustion production car ever to tackle the iconic circuit.
That puts it within a blink of the 1,140-horsepower Aston Martin Valkyrie—a hybrid hypercar—and well ahead of plenty of more famous names with double the power and triple the press. What’s more impressive? The Bohema was driven to the track, ran on standard road tires, and had its race gear packed in the side pods.
“I knew the Bohema would be fast, but the track’s tight turns and short straights are not ideal for a car that lives and breathes downforce,” said former Top Gear Stig and current Praga development driver Ben Collins. “It shows how potent the mix of lightweight engineering, great aerodynamics, and pure combustion can be—even up against hybrid hypercars from established brands.”
The Numbers That Matter
The Bohema’s numbers read like race-day poetry:
- 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6
- 700 horsepower and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque
- Sub-1,000 kg curb weight (approx. 2,204 lbs)
- Over 900 kg (1,984 lbs) of downforce at 155 mph
- Carbon-fiber body and monocoque chassis
- Hewland sequential gearbox with race-style paddle shifters
This isn’t just a track toy—it’s road-legal, absurdly fast, and hand-built for elite customers. Each Bohema is produced in Praga’s Czech facility to the buyer’s custom spec, from trim details to paint color.
A Lap with the Stig—No Trailer Needed
Ben Collins didn’t arrive with a crew of engineers and a pit team. He drove the car to the circuit, pulled out his race suit and helmet from the Bohema’s side storage pods, warmed up the tires, and set off. After a few hot laps, he posted the 1:09.8 time—good enough to top every other non-hybrid road car tested on the track.
“With more time, we probably could’ve taken the overall top spot,” Collins noted. “But fastest-ever pure petrol car at the first attempt? I’ll take that.”
Praga also released footage of the lap, viewable on DriveTribe.
Next Stop: Goodwood Festival of Speed
Praga is rolling into the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with more than just lap records. The event will mark a milestone moment: the delivery of three Bohema customer cars to buyers from around the world, including the very first U.S. owner.
These won’t be quiet handshakes and photo ops. Each buyer will join Collins for a run up the iconic Goodwood hill climb, giving new owners a taste of what their cars were built to do.
To commemorate the moment, renowned automotive photographer GF Williams captured a stunning set of images featuring a deep purple Bohema on the grounds of Goodwood House.
“The Festival of Speed is the perfect place to share the Bohema with our customers and fans,” said Praga Cars owner Tomas Kasparek. “As a boutique supercar manufacturer, every customer is special. These handovers are more than deliveries—they’re part of the Praga story.”
Old-School Power Meets Modern Engineering
In an era dominated by EVs and hybrid hypercars, the Bohema feels like a throwback with modern moves. It blends analog driving thrills with aerospace-level engineering. Aerodynamic elements were signed off in a Formula 1 wind tunnel. The carbon-ceramic brakes, sequential gearbox, and suspension geometry are more racer than exotic cruiser.
And yet, it’s legal to drive on public roads. Barely.
The Bohema’s combination of power, weight, and grip places it in rare company—comparable to GT3 race cars, even while running on everyday tires. And unlike some rivals that require transport trucks and dedicated pit crews, this is a drive-it-to-the-track, dominate-the-lap, drive-it-home kind of car.
Where to Get One
Every Bohema is made to order, with production slots limited. Interested buyers can explore customization options and learn more at PragaGlobal.com or contact the company directly at sales@pragacars.com.
Let them know Guessing Headlights sent you, maybe they’ll toss us the keys for a long-term test. We promise to return it… eventually.