Back with a bang? The Brabham BT62 is here!

Brabham returns to the spotlight, but has this motorsport giant been asleep for too long?

We love it when an iconic name with an esteemed history in motorsport is reborn to relive past glories.

Brabham is certainly a name steeped in success as a pioneering figure in Formula 1 during the 60s and 70s and 80s.

The BT62 pays direct homage to that success, inheriting the famous ‘BT’ insignia that first graced a race car in 1961, and what a worthy inheritance it is.

What is the Brabham BT62 all about?

The rebirth has come with a hefty statement of intent – this BT62 is designed specifically for track use and Brabham expects it to set the pace.

It’s a justifiable claim. A brand new 5.4-litre V8 egnine will lash out with a monstrous 710hp and 667Nm of torque, peddling a car that weighs just 972kg. The numbers are adding up so far.

As a track car, the BT62 is designed to push automotive performance to the absolute limit.

Aerodynamics generating obscene levels of downforce thanks to an extreme, purposeful design are going to bring about some pretty impressive performance.

Cool! How do I buy a Brabham BT62?

Priced at £1 million the BT62 is expected to have an extremely limited production run. Only 70 will be made to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jack Brabham’s racing debut.

Those with the cash to spare can expect to receive delivery later this year, and they will be subjected to a bespoke ‘driver development and experience’ programme to ensure they can get the most out of their new beast.

As a track-only machine, the BT62 promises to deliver an authentic race car experience. With tyre supplier Michelin on board to provide racing slick tyres, keeping the thing running will be an investment in itself.

Will this Brabham be a class leader on the track?

There is no doubt this new Brabham BT62 is a serious example of engineering.

It looks fantastically aggressive, with an angry splitter at the front, air intakes on every panel, side skirts you can sit on, a crazy diffuser at the back and a massive rear wing.

The BT62 looks like it could generate downforce standing still, and you can be sure it will be stuck to the road as soon as it gets up to speed.

Along with that huge V8 in the back, it’s clear this car is going to breeze past most others on the track.

But this new beast is going to have some pretty stubborn competition. The McLaren Senna GTR, with it’s 4.0-litre twin turbo V8, offers an incredulous 825hp and 800Nm and follows a very similar design philosophy.

Also on sale later this year, the Senna GTR promises to be more than a match for the BT62.

So is the BT62 the future of Brabham Automotive?

Sadly, no.

Things have changed since the Brabham Formula 1 team fell into the abyss at the end of 1992.

25 years on, we are firmly in an age where sustainability and frugality take the priority at almost every level. Every car manufacturer in the world is now focussed full blooded on developing hybrid and electric vehicles, there is simply no place left for brutish V8 monsters.

At least, that’s what my head tells me. Fingers crossed cars like this BT62 continue to be built for a while longer yet.

Brabham have made it clear that their long term intention is to compete in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Be sure to check back for more car news and reviews soon