*Guess what i test drove today?*
Discussion
...and trust me, it looks even better in the flesh (or should I say Carbon Fibre)
...and trust me, it looks even better in the flesh (or should I say Carbon Fibre)
A very nice and enthusiastic Mr John Lockwood from 'London Group' dealers came to see me today, and kindly brought me down the 2nd car off the production line to see what I thought.
I have to say that it is stunning to look at with some fresh styling details, but I was most impressed with the quality of finish throughout the car for such a small and new company. The leather quality is good due to using the same tailors as Aston Martin and the touch-screen display computer seems brilliant as it controls everything from one place which keeps things simple and focused in the cabin. Climate control, air-con, DAB radio, ipod control and Bluetooth phone control are all easy to read and operate! The added bonus of a boot is nice too, which is a fair size for this kind of car and would be big enough for a couple of weekend bags or a set of golf clubs. (if that’s what you’re into)
Then, the important bit.....turn the key and the first thing you notice is that the engine seems even nearer to you than in the Noble. It's not much louder but just different sounding?! This model is a naturally aspirated 3ltr Duratec, not the supercharged version (which is still in development) which to be honest was a little disappointing with regards to power, as it lacked that excitement and punch out of corners. The chassis really does deserve so much more. (Hurry up with that supercharger)! The Farbio is very well balanced and positive through the bends; it rides bumps very well on country lanes and uneven surfaces, and thanks to the AP brakes all round it feels solid and confident inspiring when braking late into a corner.
It feels like a grown up Noble to me with a few more interior toys including air con that works! The seats are very comfortable and supportive and the driving position is good. The accelerator pedal was a bit too stiff and jerky and felt like the cable needed a good lubricating to free it up, but other than that it was a very enjoyable drive!
If Farbio does build this car with a supercharged engine, I think it will be a very promising alternative to the new Noble, and at only £70k it could be less expensive too!
...and trust me, it looks even better in the flesh (or should I say Carbon Fibre)
A very nice and enthusiastic Mr John Lockwood from 'London Group' dealers came to see me today, and kindly brought me down the 2nd car off the production line to see what I thought.
I have to say that it is stunning to look at with some fresh styling details, but I was most impressed with the quality of finish throughout the car for such a small and new company. The leather quality is good due to using the same tailors as Aston Martin and the touch-screen display computer seems brilliant as it controls everything from one place which keeps things simple and focused in the cabin. Climate control, air-con, DAB radio, ipod control and Bluetooth phone control are all easy to read and operate! The added bonus of a boot is nice too, which is a fair size for this kind of car and would be big enough for a couple of weekend bags or a set of golf clubs. (if that’s what you’re into)
Then, the important bit.....turn the key and the first thing you notice is that the engine seems even nearer to you than in the Noble. It's not much louder but just different sounding?! This model is a naturally aspirated 3ltr Duratec, not the supercharged version (which is still in development) which to be honest was a little disappointing with regards to power, as it lacked that excitement and punch out of corners. The chassis really does deserve so much more. (Hurry up with that supercharger)! The Farbio is very well balanced and positive through the bends; it rides bumps very well on country lanes and uneven surfaces, and thanks to the AP brakes all round it feels solid and confident inspiring when braking late into a corner.
It feels like a grown up Noble to me with a few more interior toys including air con that works! The seats are very comfortable and supportive and the driving position is good. The accelerator pedal was a bit too stiff and jerky and felt like the cable needed a good lubricating to free it up, but other than that it was a very enjoyable drive!
If Farbio does build this car with a supercharged engine, I think it will be a very promising alternative to the new Noble, and at only £70k it could be less expensive too!
I saw a silver one at JNM last week - it does look quite nice in the flesh I must admit. I saw it from a little bit further away first and my first instinct was that it was a McLaren.
There are opinions out there that it just isn't quick enough though, especially for £60K. Buy a good Noble for £27.5, spend £17.5K on upgrades, still have £15K left over and be twice as quick to 100mph. Or am I missing something?
Not sure where they're placing themselves in the market to be honest. It has got further than I ever thought it would, so the guy (Arash is it?) at least deserves some credit for that.
There are opinions out there that it just isn't quick enough though, especially for £60K. Buy a good Noble for £27.5, spend £17.5K on upgrades, still have £15K left over and be twice as quick to 100mph. Or am I missing something?
Not sure where they're placing themselves in the market to be honest. It has got further than I ever thought it would, so the guy (Arash is it?) at least deserves some credit for that.
Got to give credit where it's due to the company for finally producing a car in the flesh.
For now I'm keeping the car I have till next spring at least; and re-evaluate what's available then.
Who knows the next Noble may still be a couple of years away in development
and the supercharged Farbio a reality.
It's good to hear that they seem to have achieved a balance of comfort and technology in the cabin.
Still not sure about the back end; looks a bit un-finished and the front a bit F360 though there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.
Good luck to the factory, let’s hope they are successful as this sort of competition can only serve to temper the price of the new Noble.
F.C.
For now I'm keeping the car I have till next spring at least; and re-evaluate what's available then.
Who knows the next Noble may still be a couple of years away in development
and the supercharged Farbio a reality.
It's good to hear that they seem to have achieved a balance of comfort and technology in the cabin.
Still not sure about the back end; looks a bit un-finished and the front a bit F360 though there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.
Good luck to the factory, let’s hope they are successful as this sort of competition can only serve to temper the price of the new Noble.
F.C.
NickyTwoHats said:
sorry...it's just not good looking.
ETS - Sorry! Was a bit drunk. Thanks for the write up. Has it tempted you?
I would only be tempted 'IF' it had another 100+bhp as stated in the write up. But as it stands right now, i'm better off keeping Noble as it is SOOOOO much fun! ETS - Sorry! Was a bit drunk. Thanks for the write up. Has it tempted you?
Edited by NickyTwoHats on Saturday 31st May 09:20
NobleGuy said:
There are opinions out there that it just isn't quick enough though, especially for £60K. Buy a good Noble for £27.5, spend £17.5K on upgrades, still have £15K left over and be twice as quick to 100mph. Or am I missing something?
I totaly agree with you there.... But if they can produce a Supercharged version with about 400bhp for 70k then that might be an option for some?Never the less, it is great that a new small british company can put together a well built, good handling and good looking car for us to be proud of. !(IT JUST NEEDS MORE POWER)!
Come on Mr Marsh, stick a Roush engine in it....
Edited by Twerlie on Saturday 31st May 10:40
When I chatted to them about the supercharged one they were saying 500bhp, 500ft/lbs yada yada.
'What are you doing about the gearbox?'
'We just use the standard one, why?'
'Errr.....'
Sadly I don't like it as much as the earlier prototypes, but it's always nice to see another bit of variety on the road.
'What are you doing about the gearbox?'
'We just use the standard one, why?'
'Errr.....'
Sadly I don't like it as much as the earlier prototypes, but it's always nice to see another bit of variety on the road.
Twerlie said:
NobleGuy said:
There are opinions out there that it just isn't quick enough though, especially for £60K. Buy a good Noble for £27.5, spend £17.5K on upgrades, still have £15K left over and be twice as quick to 100mph. Or am I missing something?
I totaly agree with you there.... But if they can produce a Supercharged version with about 400bhp for 70k then that might be an option for some?Never the less, it is great that a new small british company can put together a well built, good handling and good looking car for us to be proud of. !(IT JUST NEEDS MORE POWER)!
Come on Mr Marsh, stick a Roush engine in it....
Edited by Twerlie on Saturday 31st May 10:40
http://www.invictacar.com/index.php how about one of these?
not quite as nice tho BUT british built.
not quite as nice tho BUT british built. S26VE P said:
http://www.invictacar.com/index.php how about one of these? not quite as nice tho BUT british built.
I thought that said invacar for a minute not quite as nice tho BUT british built. Adrian W said:
S26VE P said:
http://www.invictacar.com/index.php how about one of these? not quite as nice tho BUT british built.
I thought that said invacar for a minute not quite as nice tho BUT british built. 
Edited by S26VE P on Monday 2nd June 15:47
S26VE P said:
http://www.invictacar.com/index.php how about one of these? not quite as nice tho BUT british built.
Nice rear but one ugly mother of a nose - IMHO not quite as nice tho BUT british built. Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff