More Details Emerge On The Huet Brothers' Coupes

By Kurt Ernst

1,841 views Sep 12, 2012

Huet Brothers' Coupe Classic

First, the HB Coupe is really two primary models: for those wanting a hand-built sports car with classic lines but modern amenities, there’s the aforementioned HB Coupe. Buyers wanting something harder-edged, for track use only, can opt for the HB Coupe Race, which includes features like a full roll cage and a fuel cell.

In between, there’s even something of a third model, called the HB Coupe Road Racer. It’s still street-legal, but it forgoes some of the Coupe’s amenities in the name of lighter weight and sharper handling.

Keeping the cars’ weight as low as possible was a primary focus for the Huet Brothers, so the proposed six-cylinder engine was dropped in favor of a lighter four-cylinder. The standard 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four produces 170 horsepower, but buyers can also upgrade to a 2.0-liter Cosworth engine, rated at an impressive 255 horsepower.

Even with the base engine, the Huet Brothers project a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of under five seconds, while the Cosworth engine is said to drop the time to under four seconds. This remarkable performance is largely due to the car’s light weight, which is said to be a mere 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds).

The key to the HB Coupes’ light weight is its carbon fiber monocoque construction. Consisting of a chassis plate, an inner shell and a body shell, the entire monocoque weighs less than 100 kilograms (220 pounds). Rather than outsourcing the work (an expensive proposition), all 29 carbon fiber components are molded in-house.

Prices start at 67,800 euros ($87,415) for an HB Coupe with the base engine, and rise as your needs and budget dictate. That makes the HB Coupe the least-expensive carbon fiber monocoque car on the planet, as well as one of the best-looking designs we’ve seen in years.

If you want one, we’d suggest you contact the Huet Brothers as soon as possible to get a reservation in place. Only 40 will be built in 2014, and Europe will see production before customers in North America get delivery.

We promise to keep you updated on this project, since we can’t wait to see the HB Coupe on the roads ourselves.