How does the Brabham BT62 compare to its rivals?

After months of teaser images and specification leaks, the curtain was finally lifted last night on the Brabham BT62 - a track-only hypercar that is the first move into the market from Brabham Automotive. A name steeped in motorsport history, Brabham is now making a comeback thanks to the efforts of one David Brabham, the son of the legendary Jack Brabham.

The BT62 looks like an amalgamation of the Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo and the Lotus Evora GT430, resembling essentially a GT3 racer without any pesky restrictions.

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With a huge wing and an imposing rear diffuser, the BT62 creates a claimed 1200kg of downforce. Take into account its weight of 972kg and you have a car that can - theoretically - drive upside down in a tunnel (neglecting all the fluids going a bit mental).

It's not just a wing and rear diffuser that creates that ridiculous downforce figure however. It also has:

- Carbon fibre front splitter

- Carbon fibre front aeroblades and canards

- Carbon fibre floor and barge boards

With no obligation to be road legal just yet, this car is all about lap times. With that tiny kerbweight, the BT62 will be taking lap records like nobody's business thanks to its 5.4-litre naturally aspirated (and motorsport-derived) Brabham V8 that produces a manic 700bhp and 492lb ft of torque.

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Mike Fernie posted in DriveTribe In Detail | DriveTribe

This appears to be its engine - a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8 from the racing world. Looking to be near enough 700bhp...

To compare Brabham's hypercar to its main track-going rivals, let's quickly summarise what this car has to offer:

Brabham BT62

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Engine - 5.4-litre NA V8

Power - 700bhp

Weight - 972kg

Downforce - 1200kg

And now, the cars it's going up against...

McLaren Senna GTR

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Engine - 4.0-litre twin turbo V8

Power - 814bhp (at least)

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McLaren turns the Senna up to eleven with the track-only GTR Concept | DriveTribe

The slightly insane Senna GTR is here bringing massive aero alongside astonishing numbers......

Weight - 1148kg

Downforce - 1000kg

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro

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Engine - 6.5-litre Cosworth V12 hybrid

Power - over 1100bhp

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The Valkyrie AMR Pro can theoretically drive upside down | DriveTribe

The track-only special is set to have F1 levels of performance and downforce

Weight - 1000kg

Downforce - over 1000kg

Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro

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Engine - 7.0-litre NA V12

Power - 820bhp

Weight - 1334kg

Downforce - 408kg

Mercedes-AMG Project One

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Engine - 1.6-litre turbo F1 hybrid

Power - over 1000bhp

DriveTribe

The AMG Project One creates around 675kg of downforce without a static rear wing | DriveTribe

Still less downforce than the McLaren Senna though...

Weight - 1350kg

Downforce - 675kg

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So in terms of downforce, it looks like the BT62 currently rules the roost. We obviously can't count out the Aston, Merc and McLaren products until a proper track test takes place, but for now the lightweight Brabham takes the tarmac-sucking win.

The question is, would you fork out £1 million (plus taxes) on a track-only car like the BT62? Or would you be swayed by the more expensive but better-known faithfuls that are set to revolutionise the hypercar landscape?

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I'd find it hard to say no to the Project One if I'm honest, but what do you guys think? Comment with your thoughts below!