Praga R1 racer gets ready for a redesign

Praga Cars has announced multiple joint projects with Frank Stephenson Design, including a major update to its R1 racer.

The current, fifth generation (see video) came out last month featuring a composite body that made it weigh mere 643 kilograms (1,418 lbs). It also received an R-A Praga T four-cylinder engine with two liters of displacement, 370 PS (365 hp / 272 kW) and 395 Nm (291 lb-ft) of torque. A sequential gearbox put the power through to the wheels.

The Czech team invited Frank Stephenson over to an R1 owners’ meeting in November, and he found it a promising candidate for improvement. The updated car will debut at the Britcar Endurance race in Silverstone.

No other details were revealed. Stephenson was responsible for designing several McLarens (570S, 675LT, 720S, P1 and MP4-12C), Ferraris (612 Scaglietti, FXX and F430), Maseratis (MC12, GranSport, GranTurismo and Quattroporte), Fiats (Bravo, Punto and 500), the BMW X5 (E53), and the MINI Cooper. His studio has also designed the Lilium Jet, a five-seat flying car propelled by 36 electric motors, for Munich-based Lilium GmbH.

Praga Cars CEO Mark Harrison has worked together with Stephenson in McLaren and MINI, and has expressed his confidence that the talented stylist would give the R1 the treatment it is due.