Brabham BT62 Simultaneously Showcases Racing Brand's Past and Future

While normal cars appear to be vanishing from automaker lineups at an unsettlingly swift pace, it now seems as though there are more supercars available for purchase than ever. Earlier this year, British racing car manufacturer and former Formula One racing team Brabham announced it was planning to produce another one.

We were a little disappointed when we found out it wasn’t intended for street use. Still, as track-only models go, you’d be hard pressed to find something boasting better specs. It may be just another mid-engined plaything for the super wealthy, but it pays homage to the brand’s racing heritage and takes aim at McLaren’s Senna — and that’s worth getting excited about.

Perhaps more importantly, the Brabham BT62 provides a glimpse into the brand’s future — which is supposed to include a Le Mans endurance racer and a street-legal variant of the same model.

In the meantime, we have a singular track-only unit pushing out 700 horsepower and 492 lb-ft of torque from its naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8. When asked why the company didn’t adopt forced induction, Brabham stated it wanted to prioritize response and minimize weight wherever possible. At only 2,143 pounds without fuel, we’d say the company has done a bang up job on the latter half of the equation.

A fixed aero package, made predominantly of carbon fiber, produces more than 2,645 pounds of downforce at speed. Brabham did not specify at what speed the BT62 puts all of that air to work, but a set of Michelin racing slicks ought to keep it planted until then. Extensive suspension details were unavailable, though the manufacturer has said it’s a double-wishbone setup with adjustable anti-roll bars and Ohlins dampers. Brakes are carbon units with six-piston calipers all around.

The interior, while not barren, isn’t what you would consider plush. This is a racing car, and the removable steering wheel, adjustable pedals (instead of seats), rollcage, and FIA-approved carbon-fiber seats with six-point harnesses serve as a constant reminder.

At a sky-high $1.5 million, Brabham says it only intends to build 70 BT62s “to celebrate the seventy years since Sir Jack Brabham launched his racing career in Australia in 1948 and the birth of Brabham Automotive in 2018.” The first 35 cars will also be liveried to commemorate the company’s racing heritage — specifically from the 1960s era, when Black Jack partnered up with Ron Tauranac.

We’re suckers for heritage stuff, but it’s twice as exciting to hear the company wants to enter a car into LeMans and eventually build street-legal hypercars. Hopefully, the company offers details on both soon. Until then, those who can afford the Brabham BT62 will be able to enjoy a driver development and experience program to come to grips with their new purchase. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year.

[Images: Brabham]