Honda has finally got their incredible Mean Mower verified by the Guinness book of world records, as the vehicle achieves 116.57 mph in official testing at the IDIADA Proving Ground, in Tarragona, Spain. The previous record for the world’s fastest lawnmower stood at 30 mph.

Built as a fun project in collaboration with BBC Top Gear Magazine, Honda Mean Mower is powered by a 1000cc engine from a Honda VTR Firestorm superbike, and features bespoke suspension and wheels from an ATV. It is based on a re-engineered a Honda HF2620 Lawn Tractor.

Despite all the modifications, Honda Mean Mower is still capable of cutting grass. It wouldn’t be qualified for the title of World’s Fastest Lawnmower if it wasn’t. The mower can cut grass at around 15mph, more than double the flat-out speed of the original HF2620 from which it is derived.  The only trouble is the grass bag now accommodates the fuel tank, a high capacity oil cooler and a secondary water cooling radiator.

The driver setting the record for the Mean Mower was Piers Ward of BBC TopGear Magazine who had previously achieved 87 mph with it. The speed was measured through a 100 metre speed trap, and, as per Guinness rules, in both directions.

Ellie Ostinelli, PR Communications Manager for Honda (UK) comments: “The original brief for Mean Mower was to create the world’s fastest lawnmower – and now it officially is, by some distance! We are all delighted to hold a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title and we’d like to thank everyone who was involved in what has been a challenging yet incredibly exciting project.”