Praga Bohema Sets Record as the Fastest Pure Combustion Car on Top Gear Track

The Bohema supercar, from Czech manufacturer Praga, has become the fastest-ever production pure combustion road car to lap the former Top Gear Test Track in Surrey, U.K. Setting a 1:09.8 time at the former Top Gear circuit, the Praga Bohema supercar was driven to the circuit and then came within several seconds of the time set by the 1,140 bhp hybrid Aston Martin Valkyrie earlier this year, demonstrating the capabilities of Praga’s race-bred road-legal supercar, stated officials in a press release. (For the full list of Top Gear lap times, click here.)

Driven by ex-Stig Ben Collins on standard road tires, the Praga Bohema features a 700 bhp, 550 pound-feet torque 3.8-liter V-6 engine that sits in a sub-frame directly behind the cockpit, with a Hewland sequential gearbox driving the rear wheels. This powertrain—along with the ultra-lightweight (2,200 pounds) full carbon fiber body and monocoque, race-bred suspension, and carbon ceramic brakes—delivers GT3 race-car matching lap times on road tires. The combination of power and light weight, paired with aerodynamics signed off in an F1 wind tunnel, produces almost 2,000 pounds of downforce at 155 mph.

“Setting such a fast time on regular road tires was such a thrill,” said Collins. “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. 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.”

Taking on the Top Gear Track

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 tires, the achievement is all the more remarkable as Collins also drove the car to the circuit, noted the release. With the VBox telemetry fitted, Collins unpacked his race suit and helmet from the car’s side storage pods, warmed the street tires and took to the track. Watch the video of Ben’s lap on DriveTribe.

“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,” added Collins.

“I was delighted to see the time Bohema achieved at the former Top Gear track,” said Tomas Kasparek, Praga Cars owner. “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.”

Delivery of Three Bohemas at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb

The Top Gear 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 U.S. owner—to take delivery and ride up the Goodwood Hill. Every Bohema is hand-built in the Czech Republic to the owner’s exacting specification, with each model featuring unique colors and trim details.

As well as piloting the Bohema supercar at the iconic event, Praga test driver and ambassador, Collins, will join Kasparek and the Praga team to hand over three new customer cars during the Goodwood weekend. As part of the U.K. car’s release, GF Williams—one of the world’s most celebrated car photographers—produced a set of shots of a purple Praga Bohema, as well as getting exclusive access to Goodwood House.

 “The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the best place in the world to hand over our Bohema supercars to our new clients,” said Kasparek. “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.”