It’s a familiar claim, but Dutch-built retro-styled coupe is not without its charms
Yes, it’s yet another retro coupe conceived by an obscure low-volume manufacturer, but we kinda like it, so we’re featuring it here.
Pictured alongside is the HB Coupe, a car whose vintage lines conceal the fact that it’s a high-tech conveyance with carbonfibre bodywork propelled by new-age drivetrains (likely to be sourced from BMW, but not specified in the press release).
The company behind the coupe, Huet Brothers, previously rolled out the HB Special, a Triumph TR6-inspired device conjured up for classic rallies and offered for sale in small numbers.
Now the brothers (Tino and Paul) have revealed the first details of their latest project and released this teaser video (watch it here) to drum up interest in the new coupe.
In its press blurb, the company makes a big song and dance about how the HB Coupe was conceived to offer retro style and strong performance without sacrificing reliability and day-to-day driveability.
“Yes, we want a sports coupe, for rain and sunny weather, with modern day comforts, with classic lines, which doesn’t rust, which can carry our bags, which can handle mountain roads as well as traffic jams, which can be serviced at any garage, which will put a smile on our faces every day and not to forget that drives to the Swiss Alps from Amsterdam on 48 litres,” gushes the PR bumpf.
HB adds that the coupe can be “tuned to the bone” for racetrack use, yet still retains comforts such as climate-control air-con, heated seats and surround sound.
But perhaps the most amusing statement the company makes about the car is: “I promise not to crash but if I do I want to walk away”.
The HB Coupe is built on a full carbon monocoque chassis, with propulsion coming from a 225kW/400Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that grunts out 150kW/400Nm.
Huet claims a brisk 4.3sec 0-100km/h split for the petrol version and 5.6sec for the oiler, and these are largely the result of a sprightly kerb weight of 1159kg for the former and 1121kg for the latter. Top speed for both variants it quoted at 250km/h.
The rear-wheel-drive coupe is offered standard with six-speed manual gearbox, but a six-speed auto is also available with the diesel, while the petrol model gets the option of a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.
The HB Coupe is undoubtedly the most desirable car -- along with the Donkervoort D8 GTO -- to come out of the land best known for tulips, dykes and clogs. But, naturally, we’ll leave it to you to make up your own minds…
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