A daredevil driver has become the first motorist to crack 200mph – in a Skoda.
The Czech manufacturer – once the laughing stocking of the motoring world – spent six months creating the modified Octavia saloon.
Test driver Richard ‘Dickie’ Meaden hit 202.15mph during the legendary Bonneville Speed Week in Utah, USA.
To create the ultimate Octavia, boffins at the company’s Milton Keynes offices made a number of modifications to the car to make it more aerodynamic.
The car’s 2-litre engine was also fitted with a massive turbocharger to boost power from 200bhp to more than 500bhp – making it more powerful than a Porsche 911 supercar.
With this power, the front wheels spin easily under aggressive acceleration which meant that Richard couldn’t really ‘floor it’ until he was in fifth gear.
The freelance journalist, working for performance magazine Evo, even reported a wheelspin at 150mph.
Robert Hazelwood, Director for Skoda UK, said: ”Months of rigorous planning, testing and preparation have all been worthwhile when we took our Octavia vRS past the 200 mph barrier.
”The entire team has done an outstanding job. Our special thanks go to Richard on an incredible drive.
”This marks another exciting milestone in the brand’s motorsport achievements and is a great way to celebrate 10 years of the vRS range and commemorate 110 years of Skoda’s participation in motorsport.”
Awesome! Such a superb ride! I so want to have this car, it’s a very nice unit and well price. And there are some simply clever design in its interior, one it the room for an umbrella inside the rear left door, funny but practical.
Actually it was 600bhp, and he managed a 227mph official best.