Skoda to hit the salt flats

It was just a week ago that Skoda was in the news with its topless Fabia vRS 2000 rally concept. Now, the Czech carmaker is back in the limelight. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the vRS badge’s UK entry, Skoda is going to attempt breaking the magic 322kph (200mph) land speed barrier at this year’s Bonneville Speed Week in Utah from August 13 to 20. And to achieve this feat, Skoda will take to the famed Salt Flats in a one-off modded version of its Octavia vRS saloon. The Bonneville Special features the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine found in the standard car, but manages to squeeze out a monstrous 600bhp, that’s 400 over the standard Octavia’s. To make this possible, the standard turbocharger has been replaced with a Garret unit that pumps 26-28 psi of boost as against the 18-20 psi in the regular vRS. The car, which runs on high octane race fuel, has been built to meet regulations set by the Southern California Timing Association, featuring a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage. The car’s suspension has been lowered by 80mm, and it gets a new sub-frame that houses a race-prepared intercooler.