Let’s break that speed record

Skoda UK is building a one-off ‘Bonneville Special’ Octavia vRS to celebrate 10 years of the vRS brand. As its name suggests the heavily tuned speed racer will hit the salt flats at Bonneville during Speed Week in August.

The car will be entered in the 2.0 litre production category, which is odd, considering it will have a GTFO Garret turbo fitted, be high as a kite on 120 RON fuel and have its brain fried by REVO Technik. After all that it will be pumping out as much as 440kW. That’s well over double the usual power found in an Octavia vRS.

Robert Hazelwood from Škoda UK says “The 10-year relationship between the UK and the vRS badge has been extremely successful. This is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute. It’s also an ambitious project which might surprise a few people, but Škoda is all about engineering excellence and this car is pushing that to new limits.”

Despite all that power, the aim is to break the 200mph barrier. A fairly modest goal for such a beast, you would think.

Škoda takes on Bonneville Speed Week…at 200mph

• Å koda to compete on legendary American salt flats to mark 10 years of vRS
  
• Specially built 600PS Octavia vRS aims to be the first 200mph Å koda

Simply Clever…at more than 200mph! Škoda UK is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic vRS performance flagship badge by going landspeed record racing.

A one-off modified Octavia vRS saloon has been entered into the world famous Bonneville Speed Week in August (13-20). Its aim is to break the magic 200mph barrier and join the most exclusive club in motoring.

The brand’s UK technical team at Milton Keynes has been working in secret on the vehicle for several months, with the assistance of performance software and tuning outfit REVO Technik.

The car is a factory-fresh production Octavia vRS, but some changes have been made to improve aerodynamics and performance. That includes lowering it to run almost 80mm closer to the ground and a new sub-frame which houses a race prepared intercooler.

It retains its production-standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine but the standard turbo has been replaced with a more advanced unit from respected component firm Garret. Generating up to 600PS, and producing 26-28 PSI of boost pressure, it drinks high-octane race fuel (with water methanol mix)rather than unleaded petrol.

The unique racer has been built to stringent Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) safety regulations, which means a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage.

Since its launch in 2001, vRS has captured the hearts of UK motorists who enjoy the thrill of sports car driving. Since then, the UK has become Škoda’s largest market for the Octavia and Fabia vRS with more than 12,000 cars sold since launch.

Robert Hazelwood, Director for Škoda UK, said: “The 10-year relationship between the UK and the vRS badge has been extremely successful. This is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute. It’s also an ambitious project which might surprise a few people, but Škoda is all about engineering excellence and this car is pushing that to new limits.”

The vRS is entered into the ‘2.0-litre production car’ category and will race over a nine-mile straight, which includes a timed mile in the middle. Performance through that section determines the class winner.

The legendary Bonneville Salt Flats begin 90 miles west of Salt Lake City and cover around 50 square miles of north-western Utah. It has been the spiritual home to high-speed racing for almost a century and each August a variety of hot rods, roadsters, belly tankers, lakesters, motorcycles, streamliners and diesel trucks compete in Speed Week.

Å koda vRS models are designed to ignite the passion and thrill of sports car driving. They offer additional emotional involvement and an extra level of dynamic appeal, and stand out from the crowd thanks to their subtle but distinctive exterior features. These include aggressive bumpers, rear spoiler, bespoke alloy wheels and chromed exhaust tips. Inside, the attention to detail continues with fresh upholstery, unique badging and smart dashboard inserts.

Performance

Å koda Octavia vRS (Bonneville Special)

• Max speed – mph (km/h): 200+ (322+)
• Acceleration 0–62mph: TBC
• Max. performance (PS): 550-600
• Max. torque (Nm/rpm): 450/6,000-7,700 rpm
• Fuel consumption mpg (l/100km): TBC
• CO2 emissions g/km: TBC

Engine

• Engine type: TSI
• Valves per cylinder: 4
• Traverse-mounted: Yes
• Fuel injection type: Direct fuel injection
• Cubic capacity: 1,984
• Bore x stroke (mm): 82.5 x 92.8
• Compression ratio: 9.6:1
• Turbo: Garret G05 65mm twin blade billet cut compressor wheel with ported intake housing & TIAL exhaust housing with 40mm external waste gate and 55mm blow-off valve
• Boost pressure: 26-28 psi
• Fuel type: 120 RON high octane race control fuel with water methanol injection
• Engine management software: Stock Å koda engine control unit with REVO Technik software AIM data logging

Transmission

• Clutch: Hydraulically-activated single plate four-pad sintered clutch with single mass flywheel
• Manual transmission: Six-speed Octavia GreenLine II manual transmission, fully synchronised with direct gearshift and GripperDiff Limited Slip Differential

Chassis

• Front axle/rear axle: MacPherson axle with independent multi-link suspension
• Suspension: KW coilovers two-way adjustable with anti-roll bar removed. Ride height of 50mm (subframe from floor).
• Front brakes: Å koda Octavia GreenLine front discs and calipers for reduced drag
• Rear brakes: None

Measurements and Weights

• Kerb weight (kg): 1,450
• Total weight (kg): 2,000
• Ground clearance (mm): 50

Wheels & Tyres

• Wheel type: Å koda GreenLine 15” steel wheels
• Tyre type: Goodyear Eagle Land Speed Tyres