Brabham BT62 Unveiled

[Wretched]

The track-only Brabham BT62 supercar has been unveiled overnight, at an event at the Australian High Commission in London.

The BT62 is powered by a mid-mounted 5.4-litre naturally-aspirated V8 with 522kW of power and 667Nm of torque. Drive goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed Holinger sequential transmission.

According Brabham Automotive, the BT62 has a 41/59 front-to-rear weight ratio, and its adjustable rear wing can generate up to 1200kg of downforce. The car weighs 972 kilograms thanks to its carbon-fibre body.

It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and Michelin racing tyres. Stopping capability comes courtesy of six-piston carbon-on-carbon Brembo brakes.

Measuring 4460mm long, 1950mm wide, and utilising a 2695mm wheelbase, the BT62 seats just two people.

Given its track-only nature, the BT62 features six-point harnesses for both its seats, a removable carbon-fibre steering wheel, a built-in air jack system, and a 125 litre fuel tank with quick-fill connections.

Prospective buyers should note the BT62 coupe will be built in left-hand drive, with right-hand drive available only on request. Buyers will be enrolled in a driver development program aimed at helping them exploit all the car has to offer – which is plenty, as you've probably gathered by now.

The production run of the BT62 will be limited to just 70 units in honour of the number of years since Sir Jack Brabham first raced. The first 35 cars will be finished in the corresponding livery of the vehicle used in each of the grand prix team's 35 race wins.

Pricing for the BT62 begins at £1 million ($1.8 million) before taxes and options. The vehicle will be built at a 15,000 square metre factory in Adelaide with the first deliveries expected to be made later this year.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/645522/...bt62-unveiled/

[Vesper Martini]

I can see a few different supercars in that design. In particular a GT40 bonnet.
who make the 5.4 V8? that's pretty insane power from a n/a

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I can see a few different supercars in that design. In particular a GT40 bonnet.
who make the 5.4 V8? that's pretty insane power from a n/a

According to the link below, in house developed.

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-ne...-and-uk-price/

and powered by a Brabham-made 5.4-litre naturally-aspirated V8 good for 700bhp.

[Bossxr8]

Very impressive power levels for an na 5.4.

Looks good too.

[stock1991]

Mid mounted, very nice

[jaydee]

Damn, with the banking inquiry I guess they wont give me a loan now to buy one.

[XP6]

Love side scrolling... not!

[jpblue1000]

Built in Adelaide!
Australian car manufacturing is not dead... Just small and expensive. Thats the way.
JP

[b0son]

I heard a rumour this is not all new, but in fact the Joss JP1 finally taken to completion.... ?

[turbo4]

Originally Posted by b0son

I heard a rumour this is not all new, but in fact the Joss JP1 finally taken to completion.... ?

I did kind of wonder if this was an evolution of the Joss program. There were rumours that the Ash Walsh crash at Phillip Island was a Joss prototype and they have said that this car was tested at PI perhaps someone got their wires crossed.

[MITCHAY]

Pretty awesome car. Though coughing up $1.8m for a car you can't drive on the road is a bit of a problem.

Though my biggest concern is I don't have $1.8m for a car anyway

[b0son]

Call me a skeptic, but I don't think the Brabham name is enough. TGT ran through a list in one of their eps of all the startup supercars coming over the next few years, and its huge. I'm not sure that there's anything to set this one apart from the crowd. Everyone's doing carbon fibre, and increasingly going hybrid. If Joss couldn't get any takers for a $500k supercar, I think these guys will be hard-pressed to drum up sufficient interest in a $1.8m car pushing old(er) tech. This car has to compete against some pretty serious contenders OS, and it has the stigma of being Australian made and we're viewed as a backwater.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Wretched

According to the link below, in house developed.

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-ne...-and-uk-price/

I guess we may have to buy one to find the whole truth

https://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/...evealed-118059

A mid-mounted naturally-aspirated V8 sends power solely to the rear wheels. Producing 522 kW (or 700 bhp) and 667 Nm, this 5.4-litre unit is a heavily modified version of an unnamed OEM powerplant and is badged Brabham in agreement with the supplier.

[Whistlr]

Six years ago Innov8 achieved about 620hp from the 5 litre coyote... could be related. Considering it's track only power is about right for a race engine.

https://youtu.be/0OrKoQ6aCns

[lucas2]

Originally Posted by b0son

I'm not sure that there's anything to set this one apart from the crowd. Everyone's doing carbon fibre, and increasingly going hybrid. If Joss couldn't get any takers for a $500k supercar, I think these guys will be hard-pressed to drum up sufficient interest in a $1.8m car pushing old(er) tech.

I agree that this may not be revolutionary at all. But the trend does seem to be going to lighter weight cars over more outright power for the track focused versions companies are bringing out (Aston Martin - Vulcan and Valkyrie, McLaren Senna, Ford GT, Apollo IE).

I think this car is probably aimed at those who can afford the Bugatti Chiron for grocery shopping but want something more visceral for the track. For these people, $1.8m is probably not their largest expense.

I do wonder what the selling point would be for this over the others in the increasingly populated market?

[Wretched]

I don't think we know enough about what it is offering to call it old tech.
Weighing 972kg and 500+kw with 1200kg of downforce...i'm keen to see how well this thing goes around track, even in comparison to the Ferrari FXX K, etc.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Whistlr

Six years ago Innov8 achieved about 620hp from the 5 litre coyote... could be related. Considering it's track only power is about right for a race engine.

https://youtu.be/0OrKoQ6aCns

Coyote won’t really go to 5.4 though. 5.2 it does. Sounds like an AMG engine to me.

[solarite_guy]

Here's something a local fella here is offering. A 344 cid Coyote short block. That's around 5.64L.

Just wishful thinking on my part, but it is possible someone came up with a 5.4 working along similar thoughts.

http://www.jpcracing.com/rgr-coyote-...-cubic-inches/

Here a pic that really doesn't show much:

[lucas2]

Based on the torque and HP (492lb ft at 7500rpm = 702hp) I would assume this thing probably revs to 8,000+ RPM. Wouldn't it be interesting if they stroked the 5.2L out of the GT350?

[turbo4]

A bit on the engine from Wheels, https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/bra...-its-v8-engine
They seem to think that it's a Ford block.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by turbo4

A bit on the engine from Wheels, https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/bra...-its-v8-engine
They seem to think that it's a Ford block.

From the photo it's no doubt it's a Coyote, a bored out one. Can't figure out why they would drop the compression ratio though?

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Can't figure out why they would drop the compression ratio though?

More boost?

[turbo4]

Originally Posted by b0son

More boost?

It doesn't use forced induction though

[b0son]

Reliability?

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by b0son

Reliability?

What the Boss is questioning is the combination of significant tq and hp while CR is reduced by a significant amount. On the surface that appears to be an oxymoron.

There is something about the engine mods and tune that result in this seemingly contradicting combination.

First guess would be changes to vastly improve volumetric efficiency, such as better cylinder head flow rates, valve timing events that are not concerned with normal road car requirements, and precisely designed and engineered induction and exhaust sysyems tuned to tightly coincide with the inherent rpm power range of the engine and, with each other.

Something along those lines.

[Bossxr8]

Maybe the cams they are using bring up the dynamic compression ratio, and needed to reduce the static compression ratio to compensate?

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Maybe the cams they are using bring up the dynamic compression ratio, and needed to reduce the static compression ratio to compensate?

That is along the lines of what I am thinking. Much faster ramp rates, a good bit more lift and not a whole lot more duration, but rather a phaser system similar to what I hinted at in an earlier thread. Maybe I should complete my thoughts in that thread as it appears obvious someone has already done it.

Also mixed with cylinder heads flowing a good bit more than stock.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by turbo4

A bit on the engine from Wheels, https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/bra...-its-v8-engine
They seem to think that it's a Ford block.

My money is on it being a bored voodoo after hearing it idling.

Same stroke.

[Whistlr]

Don't forget, this doesn't need to comply with any smog laws so there's no use wondering why it's making that much power after dropping the CR. It's playing by a different set of rules, same kind of spec as the 5 litres in the Supercars, which are developing, what, 650hp these days? What's their compression ratio?

Maybe 700hp is the sweet spot for this.

Great sounding engine.

[solarite_guy]

Yet, knowing cause and effect is always a good thing.