HTT Plethore: 8.2-litres Of Canadian Kick-Ass

By Feann Torr - 18/July/2007

Quebec, Canada — Oozing exotic automotive style, you'd be forgiven for thinking this alluring new super car comes from Europe. It is in fact a Canadian design, nicknamed the Quebec Bomb. Not sure if the incendiary nickname will help or hinder it's reputation though...

Like the legendary McLaren F1, the driver has a centrally-mounted front seat, perfect for race track work, while his two passengers sit behind and either side, affords them a decent view of road ahead.

It's a very smooth design this one, and it's called the HTT Plethore. Hopes are high that the Plethore will put Canada on the super car map - or at least in a few videogames.

Some of the styling highlights include the audaciously sculpted front wheel arches, which appear to wrap the back of the front wheels snugly. The scalloped doors leading to huge side intakes to supply the engine with air add intent, while the front end is fairly short and sharp.

Believed to be the first Canadian super car matched with a brain-melting 1300 horsepower engine, it's been developed by HHT Locus Technologies and was shown at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show in prototype form. In metric terms, the Plethore generates about 956 kilowatts of power from its V8 engine, which is supplied the General.

The design is remarkably alluring, and with huge power reserves and a light weight, it's expected to be hellishly quick. Yet even if it's a pain-in-the-arse to drive, we still want one. Shame that a weblishers salary doesn't really cut the mustard...

The creation of one Luc Chartrand, who is a composite material specialist, the sleek super car features carbon fibre frame and body construction. Chartrand reckons a number of the C$330,000 speed machines have already been ordered, and considering what you get with the vehicle it's not a bad deal (in super car terms).

Powered by a GM 8.2-litre small block V8 that the company claims will output between 550 and 1300hp, the question of whether this car will be quick in a straight line is not in doubt. As well as the blistering powerful V8 engine, the carbon fibre car is also remarkably light tipping the scales at 1250kg (2756 lb), which suggests an incredibly positive power-to-weight ratios and could lead to a 0-100km/h of around 3.0 seconds flat.

The 3-seat Canadian super car gets independent double wishbone suspension front and rear, with a special Locus-developed electronically-adjustable air suspension/damping setup, not to mention some rather large rolling stock. The front wheels are 255/40 ZR18s, while the rears sound like custom made treads, with415/30 ZR18 aspect ratio tyres. Deep dish rear rims will be a necessity...

Other standard features for the Canadian super car include automatic climate control, leather seats, and a dandy stereo, complete with 7 speakers and a CD/DVD reader. Automatically closing and opening doors - with remote controls - are part of the package and instead of a rear mirror you get a an LCD screen hooked up to a rear mount camera.

The Plethore road rocket is a rear-wheel drive vehicle and though an automatic is expected to be offered, standard cog swapping is taken care of by a Tremec 6-speed manual gearbox.

The anchors will be supplied by AP racing, with monster six pot calipers at the front and 4 potters at the rear, all constructed from aluminium.

Parking proximity sensors are expected to be included as well, which is just as well because the Plethore is incredibly wide, measuring 2.22 metres across. It's also quite low, at 1.12 metres, and measures 4.52 metres from bumper to bumper - not overlylong, which bodes well for its dynamic ability. 

Luc Chartrand, the man behind the design, claims that despite the monstrously powerful super car's low roof, it will cater for taller drivers, such as North American professional sports players. 

"Not only does it offer incredible visibility from the central driver position, the car also provides room for as many as three people up to 6’6” in height," remarked Chartrand, and added that this will be a first for the super car class of vehicle.

HHT Locus Technologies wants to build about 400 Plethore's per annum - by hand of course. The construction will take place at HHT Locus Technologies' factory near the St. Eustache Raceway near Montreal. If everything goes to plan the new Canadian super car could become a bastion for the niche super car industry, offering a design that utterly exotic, yet appropriately unique. 

It should attract a range of buyers from the obliquely rich investment banker types, to loaded professional sports stars and of course any self-respecting rappers bored with Ferrari. In particular it will appeal to buyers who have been yearning for the central driving position of the McLaren F1. Excuse me while I check flights to Canada...

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