Skoda UK is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its vRS badge by going to Bonneville Speed Week.
To that end a modified Octavia vRS saloon has been entered into the world famous event (August 13-20), with the aim of breaking the 200mph barrier.
We're told the car is a factory-fresh production Octavia vRS, but 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. The work has been carried out by a technical team at Skoda's UK HQ in Milton Keynes.
The car retains its production-standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol engine, we're told, but the standard turbo has been replaced with a more advanced unit from Garret. Generating up to 600hp, and producing 26-28 PSI of boost pressure, it drinks high-octane race fuel (with water methanol mix) rather than unleaded petrol.
To meet Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) safety regulations, it also gets a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage.
The vRS is entered into the '2.0-litre production car' category and will run over a nine-mile straight, which includes a timed mile in the middle. Performance through that section determines the class winner.
So why Bonneville and not something British like, say, a Manx TT course record? Not sure really, but UK brand director Robert Hazelwood says 'this is a landmark anniversary and going to Bonneville is a fitting tribute'. Well, that explains it then - it's officially a corporate jolly.
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