BRABAM, dark clouds over automotive division
Plans to launch a line of supercars under the Brabham name are no longer financially backed after the Brabham Racing Team, which owns the rights to the name, parted ways with Fusion Capital, a major shareholder in the supercar business.
Only one mid-engine BT62 was launched in 2018, which included versions for racing, track enthusiasts, and public roads, but production never exceeded a few units. Brabham planned to produce 70 units, with prices starting at about $1.3 million per unit.
In a statement released Thursday, David Brabham, who heads the racing team and is the son of the team's founder, F1 legend Jack Brabham, said that the cooperation with Fusion Capital would end after six years and that this would allow the company to expand its motorsports and heritage division as well as He said it "opened the door" to future ventures in the road car business as well as the motorsports and heritage sectors.
One of the main reasons for the split was Fusion Capital's decision to focus on new areas such as electrification and automated driving technology. The Adelaide, Australia-based private equity firm has close ties to Australia's former automotive industry and is still involved in the design and manufacture of buses. The company is currently looking into developing electric vehicles and robotic cabs.
The BT62 uses a custom-built chassis developed in Australia. While weighing only 2,142 pounds (in track car form), it produces 700 horsepower from a 5.4-liter V-8. This is 30 hp more than the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the most powerful production car with a naturally aspirated V-8 engine.
The BT62 also features some of the best motorsports components, including pushrod adjustable Ohlins dampers and coilover springs, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Michelin racing slick tires, and an adjustable traction control system. components. The aerodynamics package delivers 2,645 pounds of downforce.
After the debut track car, Brabham rolled out several racing versions and the BT62R road car. Brabham planned to follow this up with a more accessible car and was rumored to be entering the FIA World Endurance Championship.
