Brabham BT62: Australia’s £1.2 hypercar

A motorsport icon is reborn as a track-only
racer

Preview

Established 57 years ago by triple-Formula 1 champion Sir Jack
Brabham, the Australian racing team was a force to be reckoned with
in the golden years of motorsport between the 1960s and
1980s. 

However, after securing two
constructors’ championships and four driver’s world titles,
the motorsport squad lost its competitive edge and collapsed midway
through the 1992 season. 

Following a failed attempt to relaunch the racing team back in
2010, it seemed unlikely that the Brabham name would return.

But that all changed in 2014, when David Brabham, the founder’s
son, began work on a new limited-edition hypercar that would carry
the historic name. 

This year marks the launch of the special model, and it
looks set to become one of the most extreme cars on
sale. 

Called the BT62, in a nod to the company’s BT-branded F1
machines, the hypercar has been designed for racers looking to set
the fastest laps at track days. The car’s giant wings help generate
aerodynamic grip at high speeds, and were inspired by the current
crop of GT racing cars. 

The racer is powered by a 720bhp naturally aspirated
5.4-litre V8 engine, located just behind the driver’s head to
improve weight distribution and handling. Brabham has yet to reveal
acceleration figures, but the powerful engine should manage 0-62mph
in just a few seconds. 

In true hypercar style, there’s only room for two occupants
inside. And since keeping weight to a minimum is vital for setting
lap times, don’t expect creature comforts such as satnav or air
conditioning. 

Buyers do get a digital panel behind the steering wheel
that relays vital information about the car’s condition and speed.
There’s even a built-in air jack system, to shave vital seconds off
pit-stop times. 

There are also a few nods to the company’s racing
heritage, such as an option to spec the hypercar in one of several
paint schemes inspired by Brabham’s former F1
machines. 

And the cost? Around £1.2m, including
tax. 

If that sounds a little steep, financing firm JBR Capital has
offering a pay monthly option for the exclusive hypercar. The
pricing plan comprises 36 monthly payments of £16,005, plus a
£240,000 deposit and a £600,000 final payment.

You’ll need to be quick to get your hands on a BT62,
though, as Brabham is building only 70 examples.