HTT Pléthore

The HTT Pléthore was supposed to be the first Canadian supercar, developed and produced by HTT Automobile in Quebec, Canada. However the company has been inactive in recent years.

HTT Pléthore
Overview
Manufacturer	HTT Automobile
Production	2010-present
Assembly	Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada
Designer	Luc Chartrand
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door 3-seater, central driving position coupe
Layout	Mid engine, rear-wheel drive
Doors	Scissor
Powertrain
Engine	6.2 L V8
Transmission	6-speed Tremec manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	294 cm (115.7 in)
Length	452 cm (178.0 in)
Width	222 cm (87.4 in)
Height	112 cm (44.1 in)
Curb weight	1,134 kg (2,500 lb)

History

A HTT Pléthore with its doors open upward.

It debuted at the 2007 Montreal International Auto Show as a pre-production prototype under the name "Locus Pléthore", under the supervision of Luc Chartrand.[1] It has a supercharged 6.2L V8 with 750 hp (559 kW) and 655 lb⋅ft (888 N⋅m) of torque or an optional high performance home made engine with 1,100 hp (820 kW). This engine is supported by Pratt & Miller[2] and based on the supercharged V8 from the Corvette ZR1.[3] The chassis and body are made entirely out of carbon fibre with no engine subframe, resulting in the chassis being exceptionally rigid.[4] The car will weigh approximately 1,089 kg (2,401 lb) and, if mated to the 1,300 hp (969 kW) engine, will have a power-to-weight ratio equivalent to that of a Formula One race car. Two prototypes were constructed, the second suggests a centre seating position previously featured in the McLaren F1, 1966 Ferrari 365 P prototype, and the 1969 Bizzarrini Manta Concept.[4][5] HTT Automobile planned to custom build a limited lifetime production run of 99 Pléthores.[6]

Debut

HTT Plethore LC 750

On February 16, 2011, the Pléthore was featured on CBC's Dragon's Den.[7] Sébastien Forest & Carl Descoteaux put forward their pitch for Canada's first supercar, asking $1.5 million for 20% of their company.[4][8] Subject to completion of due diligence, W. Brett Wilson and Robert Herjavec offered to become partners in the company by purchasing 20% of the company for $1 million, providing an additional $500,000 in loans, and acquiring the rights to purchase 3 Pléthores at cost, including the first car to be sold in Canada.[4] This deal fell through after the transmission failed during a test drive,[9] however an unidentified party stepped in after their television appearance with the necessary funding. HTT planned to make 6-7 cars a year with 6 cars registered as pre-sold. The HTT Pléthore also made an appearance in the video game Asphalt 8: Airborne.[10]

Resurgence

In 2013, the HTT Pléthore was revamped the previous model with an even more powerful engine. HTT called it the LC-1300, for its supposed 1,300 horsepower as a 8.2L V8 taken from the Dodge Viper.

References

1. "2007 Locus Plethore Prototype". Supercars. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
2. "HTT Pléthore's competencies". HTT Automobile.
3. "Canada's ultimate supercar - 2009". BBC TopGear. 2009-11-11.
4. Mary Teresa Bitti (2011-02-21). "Dragons breathe fire into Plethore". Driving.ca. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
5. Noah Joseph (2007-01-19). "Montreal Auto Show: Locus Plethore supercar unveiled...almost". Auto Blog. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
6. "Top 5 Obscure Supercars". CarBuzz
7. Paul Choi (2011-02-17). "Speed thrills as supercar dazzles Toronto AutoShow". The Star. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
8. Bryan Borzykowski. "Business plan: Can a Canadian company make the next Bugatti?". Profit Guide. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
9. David Booth. "Coming soon: Canadian hypercars". MSN Autos. Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
10. "Chilling Performance: HTT Plethore LC-750 Supercar". WorldCarShows. 2011-03-08. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2011-08-08.