Numerous performance vehicles are marketed as race cars for public roads, yet few can lay claim to that title quite like Praga’s Bohema hypercar.
Praga, a historic Czech manufacturer, currently has an automotive division that specializes in constructing race cars. In 2016, it introduced its first road car modeled after a race car, the R1R. Although only one prototype of the R1R was created, Praga took valuable lessons from that project and has dedicated the past seven years to developing a new, even more high-performance road vehicle. The result, the Bohema, is now being delivered to customers.
Praga Bohema first customer car
The inaugural customer vehicle was handed over to its owner in the Netherlands on Friday. A total of just 89 units will eventually be manufactured, a figure chosen at the Bohema’s 2022 unveiling to commemorate Praga’s historic victory in the 1933 1000 Miles of Czechoslovakia race. The production rate sits at approximately 20 cars annually, and some are even slated for the U.S., with 24 units headed there and deliveries expected to commence next spring. Each vehicle carries a price tag of 1.43 million euros (around $1.5 million).
In the two years since the Bohema was first revealed, Praga has made several enhancements, including performance improvements. The engine, a Litchfield-tuned Nissan GT-R unit, maintains a peak output of 700 hp, featuring modifications to the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 like a dry-sump lubrication system and titanium exhaust extending from the turbos. Praga selected this engine due to its capacity for generating substantial power while providing robust reliability.
The engine is positioned behind the cabin and connects to a Hewland sequential gearbox, with power sent solely to the rear wheels. Featuring lightweight construction such as a carbon-fiber chassis and body panels, the curb weight is approximately 2,300 pounds, providing a power-to-weight ratio that outmatches most supercars and some race cars.
Aerodynamics also significantly impact the vehicle’s performance. Extensive testing in a Formula 1 team’s wind tunnel has allowed for the development of an aerodynamic package that produces nearly 2,000 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. This capability enables the Bohema to achieve up to 2 g of lateral acceleration in corners.
Other impressive performance metrics include a 0-62 mph time of 2.3 seconds and a top speed reaching 197 mph. Praga also claims that the Bohema can achieve lap times comparable to those of a GT3 race car while still being able to drive to and from the track. Additional practicality is offered, including custom luggage designed to fit into the side pods.
To maintain road comfort, Praga engineered a suspension system featuring horizontally mounted, pushrod-operated adjustable dampers, which maximize travel while keeping bodywork height low. With an unsprung mass of under 400 pounds, Praga was able to eliminate the need for a more complicated adaptive suspension system. The front wheels measure 18 inches, while the rear wheels are 19 inches, and they are fitted with 6-piston calipers gripping 15-inch carbon-ceramic rotors.
Image Source: Pragaglobal.com
