Noble M15 signals change of direction
Company dumps plans for long-awaited M14
It's raining cars: a radical new Noble is set to launch next month. Named the M15, the car will, said Noble, "remain faithful to the company’s M14 concept (see pic) as a user-friendly supercar, but will have an all-new chassis, drivetrain configuration, interior and body - as well as more power". But there won't be an M14 -- the company has changed its plans.
Noble reckoned that the M15 "represents a major departure from its current models". It's aimed at buyers who are seeking a more exclusive and driver-focused alternative to mid-engined cars in the £110-130k price bracket, while also tempting those who are eyeing up the 2007 Lotus Esprit. The Esprit is scheduled for launch in 2007-8, and the mid-engined, all-alloy £75,000 car may house the Mercedes SLR McLaren's AMG V8 powerplant.
The M15's chassis is all-new -- Noble PR man Simon Hucknall described the car as sporty but benign, and designed to be a driveable, everyday road car. Hucknall added that the new configuration meant the car will have no commonality with the company's current cars, although it's similar in size to the M14 concept.
However, Hucknall said that Noble wants to move away from track day image. If that worries you, he also said that Noble remains true to its principles: there'll be no trick electronics like traction control and it remains RWD-only. The inherent safety comes from the benign chassis, he said.
“The M15’s fresh styling and engineering emphasise our desire to present a genuinely all-new car to the market,” said company boss and design chief Lee Noble. “While the Noble M12 series continues to win us accolades for its performance and dynamics, we’ve worked hard to ensure that the M15 is in a different league altogether. As before, this has been achieved without us having to resort to big, heavy engines or trick electronics. The M15 will be nothing less than a pure-bred driving machine.”
Among the M15’s highlights will be:
- Dry-sumped engine with 455bhp/455lb-ft of torque
- In-line drivetrain using a new, bespoke gearbox
- New, 57 per cent stiffer spaceframe chassis
- Generous boot space, front and rear
- New interior with high levels of standard equipment
The M15 will sit above Noble’s current models from launch, leaving the completed range as follows:
- Noble M15: £75,000 (est)
- Noble M400: £55,995
- Noble M12 GTO-3R: £49,950
Sadly, we can't bring you pics yet -- full details and pictures of the first complete M15 will be available in March.
when this will happen, that will be great news! I welcome it that will be a good move Noble, go on and do it...
GTRene
Article said:Compared to what if its an all new chassis?
New, 57 per cent stiffer spaceframe chassis
Sounds interesting, would definitely want a V8 if its running that sort of power, especially if its intended to be more of a daily driver, that sort of power from a turbo'd V6 would make it too highly strung and awkward anywhere other than the track.
GTRene said:
finaly they will get that stupid(thats my oppignion) V6 ford engine out! and put in a V8 a Noble diserve's
Gene Have you driven an M12? I was lucky enough to drive one rated at circa 365hp and the stupid Ford engine is sensational (havent yet had a chance at the latest monster but if anyones offering...).
Big V8's are not, I believe, in the Noble M12/M14/M15 ethos being generally too cumbersome / heavy for a car as nimble as this. These cars are an excellent combination of power / weight / torque etc. The whole package works beautifully, putting a big V8 in could upset the balance of this car and would, I believe, miss the point entirely.
Well thats my opinion anyway, i'll get off my now
oppressed mass said:
GTRene said:
finaly they will get that stupid(thats my oppignion) V6 ford engine out! and put in a V8 a Noble diserve's
Gene Have you driven an M12? I was lucky enough to drive one rated at circa 365hp and the stupid Ford engine is sensational (havent yet had a chance at the latest monster but if anyones offering...).
Big V8's are not, I believe, in the Noble M12/M14/M15 ethos being generally too cumbersome / heavy for a car as nimble as this. These cars are an excellent combination of power / weight / torque etc. The whole package works beautifully, putting a big V8 in could upset the balance of this car and would, I believe, miss the point entirely.
Well thats my opinion anyway, i'll get off my now
Very much so. I guess the natural progression will be the new 3.5L duratec?
>> Edited by stuh on Monday 27th February 13:31
oppressed mass said:
GTRene said:
finaly they will get that stupid(thats my oppignion) V6 ford engine out! and put in a V8 a Noble diserve's
Gene Have you driven an M12? I was lucky enough to drive one rated at circa 365hp and the stupid Ford engine is sensational (havent yet had a chance at the latest monster but if anyones offering...).
Big V8's are not, I believe, in the Noble M12/M14/M15 ethos being generally too cumbersome / heavy for a car as nimble as this. These cars are an excellent combination of power / weight / torque etc. The whole package works beautifully, putting a big V8 in could upset the balance of this car and would, I believe, miss the point entirely.
Well thats my opinion anyway, i'll get off my now
Agree with your comments re fitting a V8 in a Noble - there is, however, one benefit of a V8 motor I'd like on a Noble and that's the sound!
GTRene said:
finaly they will get that stupid V6 ford engine out! GTRene
What exactally is "stupid" about the current V6 engine? Would you care to elaborate upon your findings and enlighten us with your knowledge and experience of the M12's dynamics and abilities and to share with us your reasons for thinking the car has a "stupid" engine?
GN
Mr Noble said:
GTRene said:
finaly they will get that stupid V6 ford engine out! GTRene
What exactally is "stupid" about the current V6 engine? Would you care to elaborate upon your findings and enlighten us with your knowledge and experience of the M12's dynamics and abilities and to share with us your reasons for thinking the car has a "stupid" engine?
GN
Sort him out Greg
GTRene said:
whoops, your right they where talking about the Esprit, but I was thinking they also mentioned the V10 M5 from BMW in the Esprit??
Still I think the Noble diserve's a V8 otherwise I nevr would be interested in that car!
GTRene
Nope, the rumour (or is it?) is that it's the older V8 M5 engine, not the new one.
D
amg merc said:
Agree with your comments re fitting a V8 in a Noble - there is, however, one benefit of a V8 motor I'd like on a Noble and that's the sound!
Agreed, V8's do sound good but then so does the whistling of the twin un-synched wastegates.. its horse for courses I suppose
As for a 3.5L duratec, having just rejigged the engine to its current power and in line configuration I wouldnt expect a change any time soon, but not being linked to the company at all it's just my opnion.
_deejay_ said:
GTRene said:
whoops, your right they where talking about the Esprit, but I was thinking they also mentioned the V10 M5 from BMW in the Esprit??
Still I think the Noble diserve's a V8 otherwise I nevr would be interested in that car!
GTRene
Nope, the rumour (or is it?) is that it's the older V8 M5 engine, not the new one.
D
The AMG V8 would cost more than £75k on it's own, crazy to think a £75k all alloy Esprit will have that engine. Esprit will probably have the 300HP Supercharged V6 that's in the Lotus MPV to be shown at Geneva.
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