2011 Skoda Octavia vRS 200mph at Bonneville review and pictures

Skoda Octavia vRS 200mph at Bonneville review:

SKODA OCTAVIA vRS HITS 200 MPH AT BONNEVILLE

• SKODA Octavia vRS breaks through the 200 mph barrier
  
• World's fastest SKODA hits 202.15 mph on legendary American salt flats to mark 10 years of vRS
  
• SKODA Bonneville team now focuses its attention on the '2.0-litre production car' record of 216 mph

SKODA's Octavia vRS has become the latest member to join Bonneville's legendary 200 mph club. The 500 bhp 'salt spec' challenger ? built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iconic vRS performance flagship badge ? pushed its way through the 200 mph barrier, four days ahead of schedule. In doing so the car, dubbed the 'vRS Bonneville Special', has become the fastest SKODA ever.

The Octavia vRS achieved an impressive 195.69 mph on its first run of the day. On the car's sixth official outing at Bonneville Speed Week (13-20), the Octavia vRS propelled itself to an impressive 202.15 mph.

Ahead of the event at the world famous salt flats the brand's UK technical team ? who prepared the car in Milton Keynes - arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah to finalise months of hard work and preparation. In an environment where bhp is king and traction loss is your nemesis, the car underwent a rigorous dyno programme with the assistance of performance software and tuning outfit specialist REVO Technik.

Driven by journalist Richard Meaden, the Octavia had demonstrated its potential on Sunday (14 August) as it powered its way to 191 mph securing all four speed licenses required before heading to the magical 200 mph barrier.

Robert Hazelwood, Director for SKODA UK, said: "Months of rigorous planning, testing and preparation have all been worthwhile. At 13:24 on Monday 15th August, 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."

With four days remaining the team is now focusing their efforts on closing the gap on the 2.0-litre production car record which stands at 216 mph.

The Octavia vRS Bonneville Special

The car is a factory-fresh production Octavia vRS, with some changes made to improve aerodynamics and performance. That includes lowering the ride height 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, with the standard turbo replaced with a large unit from respected component firm Garrett. Generating over 500 BHP, and producing 30+ PSI of boost pressure, the Bonneville Octavia vRS 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 SKODA'slargest market for the Octavia and Fabia vRS with more than 12,000 cars sold since launch.