A high-speed car built by the British Steam car Team is set to break the land speed record for a steam-powered car at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August.

Due to be unveiled at Bonneville Speed Week from August 18-24, the British Steam Car has been over eight years in the making and is expected to top 200mph.

The car is powered by a turbine which runs at 500psi and pulls over 0.5g during acceleration.

The unofficial record top speed by a steam-powered car currently stands at 145.607mph. Though it is not an FIA approved record, this is what the British Steam Car Team hopes to beat. The team initially intends to exceed 150mph and then top 200mph at a later date.

The team will begin testing at Elvington airfield near York in early July before dispatching to the US.

The project has seen a number of setbacks during its eight year run, including the tragic death of the project manager, Frank Swanson last year. The BSCT remains optimistic for its record attempt though, and hopes to prove that steam is a realistic alternative to petrol and diesel power.

For further information see www.steamcar.co.uk.