The Aussie Hypercar

Adelaide is making cars (again). 10:45 am on Friday, 20 October 2017 – the infamous moment when the last ever Australian-made Holden Commodore rolled off the production line.

Now, another type of car is coming out of South Australia – with more speed.

A lot more speed.

The Brabham BT62R is a street-legal monster. Classed as a ‘track day’ car, the BT62R punches the 0 – 60mph (96kph) in a mind-boggling 3.0 seconds with the help of its 552kW V8. The BT26R is the road-legal version of the track-only BT62.

Is that fast? We’ll let you decide. Here are some 0 – 60mph times of other hypercars of similar calibre:

• McLaren Senna: 2.9 seconds

• McLaren 650S: 2.9 seconds

• Lamborghini Huracán Performante: 2.9 seconds

• Ford GT: 3 seconds

• Porsche 911 Carrera S (992): 3.2 seconds

But the BT62R’s biggest brag isn’t the acceleration

It’s the power-to-weight ratio. In the car world, being a ‘lightweight’ is definitely a good thing. Shorter stopping distances, faster acceleration, better cornering and, at the end of the day, faster lap times.

The BT62R tips the scales at 972 kg.

Is that light? Here’s the hypercar lineup again:

• McLaren Senna: 1,374 kg

• McLaren 650S: 1,428 kg

• Lamborghini Huracán Performante: 1,553 kg

• Ford GT: 1,385 kg

• Porsche 911 Carrera S (992): 1,480 kg

How about some other ‘lightweights’ of the car world:

• McLaren F1: 1,138 kg

• Koenigsegg One 1: 1360 kg

• 2019 Mazda MX-5: 1061 kg

The BT62 doesn’t come cheap

Pricing is pegged at around $1.5 million points. A chunk of change in pretty much any car enthusiast’s book.

Is that expensive? Again, here’s a little lineup:

• Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita: $6.4 million

• McLaren Senna: $1.6 million

• Lexus LFA: $750,000

• Bugatti Centodieci (based on the Chiron): $20 million

Here’s what you get for parting ways with $1.5 million Australian dollars for a hypercar

The engine and 6-speed sequential gearbox have been remapped and calibrated for street and track use. Carbon fibre seats come trimmed in leather and/or Alcantara along with a digital gauge cluster and electronically-controlled variable ride height.

On the exterior, you’ll find unique features like 18-carat gold exterior badging and a massive one-piece rear wing – a hypercar prerequisite. Additionally, exterior aero parts like the front splitter, rear diffuser and rear wing from the track-only BT62 models can be fitted upon request when car servicing.

And, most importantly, you get to drive a racing car on the streets – legally.

As the hefty price tag and ‘street-legal racing car’ accolades suggest, Brabham Automotive won’t be able to rely on only the Australian market to make sales. Both left and right-hand versions are available.

Under the Bonnet

In a car like the BT62R, the engine is what really makes it tick. A naturally-aspirated V8 steps away from the turbo and electric world. The 5.4-litre V8 revs out to a high 8000rpm which gives it excellent and responsive acceleration.

According to Brabham Automotive, it’s the highest-output, naturally-aspirated V8 hypercar on the market.

Get the BT62R hypercar

The ‘world’s most track-focused hypercar’ is putting Australia (back) on the petrolhead map. It joins conversations that include the 2017 Walkinshaw W557 GTS, KPM Motorsport Streetfighter FPV GT-E and HSV Gen-F2 GTS.

Here’s to hoping the BT62R sees success.

(image sources: brabhamautomotive.com)