Nissan V6 Hypercar and Ex-Stig Set Sights on Next Record

With its aggressive low-slung front end, tight cockpit, and a rear wing that flows seamlessly into the body, the Nissan Praga Bohema looks every bit the part of a Le Mans contender. It’s the kind of car that could roll onto the starting grid without raising eyebrows. While the phrase ‘road-legal race car’ gets thrown around a lot, the Bohema truly lives up to that title.

Ben Collins, the former Stig, is showing that the Bohema’s race-inspired design is more than just for show—it’s built for serious performance. Taking it to the track, Collins clocked a blistering 1:09.8 around the former Top Gear Test Track, setting a lap record for pure combustion road cars. That time puts the Nissan Bohema just a hair behind the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s production car record of 1:09.7.

Now, Collins is gearing up for another potential record-setting run—this time on the iconic hill climb at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from July 10–13. In an exclusive interview with HARJA, he shared insights into his approach and ambitions for one of the UK’s most prestigious automotive events.

Collins on Goodwood

Ben Collins isn’t certain if Praga expects him to aim for the Goodwood Hill Climb course record at this year’s Festival of Speed. When asked about the company’s goals, he replied:

“I believe that’s the plan, but I’m still waiting for my orders,” Collins said. “The most important thing is connecting with the customers who have already purchased the car. They’ll be receiving their vehicles at Goodwood, which is fantastic — it’s the perfect setting for that.”

With numerous VIPs and potential buyers attending, it makes perfect sense for Praga to let Collins push the Nissan Bohema to its limits on the hill climb. At Goodwood, the company will deliver three Bohemas to their new owners — including the very first one destined for a customer in the United States. Collins will even take these new owners for a run up the hill climb, giving them the chance to experience the supercar firsthand with a professional behind the wheel.

“Obviously, if I have a passenger, it won’t be a competitive run—but hopefully, they’ll let me push the car to the limit for at least one lap.”

– Ben Collins, Praga development driver

If Collins gets the chance to push the Nissan Bohema all-out on the hill climb, the big question is whether it can beat the current production car record of 48.82 seconds set by the Czinger 21C. Collins stayed humble during the interview, saying, “I’ll have to take a closer look at that. I wouldn’t bet against anything with the Praga.” He also acknowledged that the course tends to favor hybrids and electric vehicles since every run starts from a standstill—putting the purely combustion-powered Bohema at a slight disadvantage. This is the same reason the Praga lost precious tenths of a second to the Aston Martin Valkyrie during its lap at Dunsfold.

“That car’s got a lot of power,” Collins said of the 21C. “You’re talking about 500 more horsepower on a hill climb. From my experience with Lucid—when we set the fastest production car time in a different class—it smoked a lot of competition. We even beat the GT2 RS, and we were running on eco tires because it could put down its 1,000 horsepower so effectively.”

He added, “On a hill climb starting from a standstill, hybrids and battery-powered cars have an advantage over something like the Praga. But with our setup, you get a more consistent drive and the ability to push lap after lap.”

What Makes the Praga Bohema So Special

Praga, a historic brand from the Czech Republic with over 116 years of legacy, hadn’t produced a road car since 1947. That changed when the company reemerged and started teasing a new supercar in 2022. Later that year, Praga officially unveiled the Nissan Bohema, marking its dramatic return to the road-car scene.

The motorsport-inspired Bohema carries a starting price of around $1.3 million, with Praga planning a limited production run of just 89 units. Each car is handcrafted in the Czech Republic, meticulously built to match the exact personalization preferences of its owner.

Beyond its race-ready looks and seven-figure price tag, the Bohema boasts an impressive powertrain. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 sourced from the Nissan GT-R, tuned to deliver 700 horsepower by the British specialists at Litchfield Motors. All that power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission, putting the driver firmly in control.

Although its 700-horsepower output may seem modest compared to some modern supercars, the Bohema’s lightweight design—coming in at under 2,300 pounds dry—lets it make the most of every horsepower. Beneath its sleek exterior lies a carbon composite monocoque chassis paired with a rear-mounted chromoly frame, combining strength and agility.

We’re eager to see if Collins will get the chance to fully unleash the Bohema’s potential at Goodwood. After his impressive performance on the Top Gear test track, both he and the car look poised to make a thrilling impact at the Festival of Speed.