Brabham BT62: Australia’s £1.2m hypercar

The Brabham name has been absent from the motoring world for some time.

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.

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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.