New Sport Car

Car enthusiasts will surely want to take a look at the newest supercar on the scene – the HTT Plethore LC 750. It is made by Canada-based HTT Technologies and is the result of six years of development headed by company principle Luc Chartrand.

It will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show but for now, let’s view the images by Stephan Bauer, revealed from a VIP preview of the car before flying it to Germany. If you recall, a previous version had been shown at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show, back when it had the Locus Plethore nameplate. This production Plethore features a McLaren F1 style center driving position and a very wide wheelbase even in supercar standards. The chassis and body are made of carbon fiber, while the suspension is electronically adjustable.

Comprised of a carbon fiber architecture and body with an integrated (and supposedly soon-to-be) FIA-certified roll-cage, the Plethora could be the first production vehicle simultaneously approved for both the road and the track, and since high-level competition is close to Chartrand's heart, it's a necessity -- he wants to see the Plethore competing in the American LeMans series.

To hang with the big boys at the upper echelons of motorsport, the Plethore has to be more than a lightweight body (2,535 pounds) and a massive stance (89 inches in the rear). So Chartrand has mounted the Corvette ZR1's LS9 longitudinally amidships and tweaked output to 750 hp. As with all start-ups, HTT plans to offer an even hotter version to the public, putting out a claimed 1,300 hp with the help of a set of turbos.

Currently channeling all that grunt to the ground is a six-speed manual, but there are plans to offer a six-speed sequential gearbox along with a limited-slip differential. Double wishbones are fitted at all four corners to keep the 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels in constant contact with the ground, with AP Racing brakes sized 15-inches in front (six-piston caliper) and 13-inches (four-piston caliper) in the rear.

Although the astronomical output and production-intensive architecture are the cornerstones of the project, the interior - with its central mounted driving position, room for two occupants (sounds familiar) and roof-mounted switchgear - are some of the more impressive details. That, and the hydraulically actuated doors, which swing upwards and close at the touch of a button.

HTT claims that the central driving position allows for a better feel of the car and increased “stability and driveability.” Moreover, this allows for optional two seats to be fitted in the front, making it the world’s first three-passenger supercar. Its visual trademark is the bat-like scissor doors that open at a wider than 90-degree angle.

Just by looking at the car, you’d know that it has impressive aerodynamic parts, integrating a racy front lip and a large rear diffuser, both with the role of increasing the down force. Powering the car is a 6.2-liter V8 developed in-house by HTT, with a 750 hp output. The Plethore LC 750 weighs 2535 lbs (1150 kgs). If you’re interested, HTT has started taking orders for the supercar. More than 10 cars have been pre-sold by now. The price for the supercar is around $365,000 (or $395,000 CDN).

Chartrand claims that production will begin sometime late this year, with a price tag of around $600,000 for the standard, 750-hp version and close to $1m for the 1,300-hp variant. Bold claims, but Chartrand isn't stopping there. "I want to design a helicopter next. It's my other love."