The GT-R-powered Praga Bohema hypercar was inspired by an IndyCar and F1 star
The Czech Republic’s Praga Cars has been around for 115 years—even though you’ve probably never heard of it. To mark this milestone the firm has gone further and faster than it ever has before, creating a $1.3 million, 700-hp hypercar, with the aid of race driver Romain Grosjean.
Called the Bohema, it has been built around three core principles: lightweight, carbon and gasoline. The first two are closely linked, with the Bohema’s carbon fiber monocoque and body keeping its mass down to 982 kg (2165 lbs). Power comes from a Nissan GT-R derived 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6, honed by British specialist Litchfield, and connected to a fully titanium exhaust system. A Hewland sequential transmission with helical-cut gears and a robotic clutch allows for speedy semi-automatic shifts. Praga hasn’t revealed performance figures yet, but claims it will be able to exceed 186 mph and produce 1984 lbs of downforce at 155 mph.
That’s because the Bohema’s bodywork was honed in a Formula 1 wind tunnel, having first been simulated using computational fluid dynamics. It’s certainly a striking machine, perhaps not quite as flamboyant as a Pagani, but borrowing the Italian marque’s idea for rear wheel-arch storage areas and fitted luggage.
The narrow cockpit squeezes in two adults in a laid-back racing position, with steering column, pedals and seat all adjustable. The steering wheel is removable to make access through the scissor doors a little easier. The cabin is trimmed in Alacantara and doesn’t skimp on comfort, with climate controls in a fighter jet-style roof console, and a mount for a phone to provide navigation and entertainment.
Not that you’ll have time to listen, once you have finessed the fully-adjustable suspension to suit your favorite race circuit and warmed up the Pirelli Trofeo R tires. “The Bohema is a uniquely styled, rare and exclusive car that you really can drive to the track, pull on a crash helmet, put in lap after lap at high speed on its Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, and then drive home again,” says Praga.
To make sure that it lives up to such high expectations Praga involved Romain Grosjean from the beginning of the project. “I was astonished by the Bohema’s amazing performance on track, its accessibility on road, and the ease of transition between the two,” he says. “Praga has truly delivered on my challenge! On the road, you get a smooth ride, the car eliminates the bumps, you can chat with the passenger, and everything is calm and OK. Then simply switch focus and you are on the track. The same clothes, the same car, but the feeling changes and you are pushing the limit and collecting amazing lap times again and again, discovering unbelievable possibilities in the Bohema. And we still have a few months to fine-tune the on-road compliance and on-track lap times!”
Praga will build just 89 Bohemas, in a nod to the 89 years since it won the 1933 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia, at the rate of around 20 per year.
