FYI: The Revival of Stig Laps Sparks a New Duel on the Top Gear Track
For years, the Top Gear track has seen some of the fastest cars battle it out for supreme lap times. Legendary names like the Ariel Atom, Bugatti Veyron, and Ferrari FXX have fiercely competed for the top spot. With the return of the "Stig Laps" series on YouTube, high-performance cars have made a comeback to the Dunsfold track, even after the TV show’s end. The former Stig, Ben Collins, recently attempted to reclaim a record for Aston Martin in a lesser-known vehicle: the Praga Bohema.
Challenging the Valkyrie: Praga Bohema’s Remarkable Performance
Ben Collins, testing the Czech-made Praga Bohema, aimed to set a blazing lap on the Top Gear track. Although his time of 1:09.8 was slightly slower than the record-holding Aston Martin Valkyrie’s 1:09.6, it was still an extraordinary achievement. The Bohema, being relatively new to the scene with its first production model delivered last October, impressively outperformed the Ferrari 488 Pista and rivaled the likes of the Ferrari SF90 and Koenigsegg Jesco after a few warm-up laps.
Aston Martin vs. Praga: Specs Showdown
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Aston Martin Valkyrie:
- Engine: 6.5-L V12 + electric motor
- Power: 1,139 hp
- Torque: 682 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: Less than 2.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 220 mph
- Weight: ~2,800 lbs (dry)
- Downforce: 2,425 lbs @ 137 mph
- Praga Bohema:
- Engine: Twin turbo 3.8-L V6
- Power: 700 hp
- Torque: 535 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: Less than 3 seconds
- Top Speed: 197 mph
- Weight: ~2,164 lbs (dry)
- Downforce: 1,984 lbs @ 155 mph
Despite being lighter and less powerful, the Bohema is a remarkable contender, weighing significantly less and still holding its ground against the Valkyrie. With Aston Martin’s Valkyrie priced over $3.5 million and the Bohema at $1.4 million, the Bohema’s performance is commendable. Collins noted, "I literally drove this car out of the hotel this morning… All I did was to reduce the height of the ride."
Ben Collins: On the Verge of Reclaiming the Record
Although Collins didn’t quite break the overall record, he set the fastest lap for gas-only production vehicles at the Top Gear track. The Valkyrie’s hybrid powertrain gives it an edge, but Collins believes the Bohema has untapped potential. He hinted in a conversation with Carbatz that minor tweaks, such as tire selection, could shift the balance in its favor.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
