Brabham Launches Track-Day BT62 Hypercar

Australian car builder and racing team Brabham is back. And it has brought a new hypercar aimed firmly at the pointy end of the track day field.

The team was founded in 1951 by Jack Brabham, who progressed behind the wheel to Formula 1 by 1958. He won two driver's championships in someone else's car, but broke off in 1962 to build his own. The team would go on to win two constructor's championships.

Now the name is back, and it's not on a Formula 1 car. It's on a track-focused hypercar with a big V8 and carbon bodywork.

The engine is a Brabham design. A 5.4L V8, naturally aspirated, able to churn out 700 hp and 492 lb-ft. It's matched with a six-speed sequential gearbox that offers full power upshifts and rev-matching downshifts. Oh, and this is rear-drive only, no sending power to the front wheels to help you modulate power here.

At the corners are Brembo six-piston carbon brakes with carbon ducts and race-ready ABS. They're hiding behind 18-inch center lock wheels which are shod in special Michelin racing slicks.

Since this isn't a street car, the designers were able to go all-out on the aerodynamics. It has more wings, splitters, and ducts than you can shake a stick at. And the 972 kg BT62 manages more than 1,200 kg of downforce. So yes, it could drive upsidedown in a tunnel.

Brabham will be making only 70 of the built-in-Adelaide BT62, to celebrate 70 years since Sir Jack started racing in 1948. The first 35 will get a livery that is a tribute to one of Brabham's 35 Formula 1 wins.

This won't be a cheap car, but speed never is. Starting price is £1 million, plus taxes, but drivers will get to participate in a development and experience program to make sure they get the most out of the car. Deliveries are expected to start later this year.