Noble / M600 / Romans International Goodwood Test
Discussion
Due to some kind of obvious clerical error , I found myself in the fortunate position of being invited to a test of the Noble M600 organised by Romans International and Noble .
All the usual suspects were there including all the Romans clan ( including Anthony the legendary Mr Wolff ) , Rob wilson was on hand to keep cars out of the barriers , Peter Boutwood was in attendance to answer all our questions and Joe Macari turned up in a Maserati MC12 Racer ( I think to cause mischief basically ! ).
The day started with car talk , warm greetings , a bacon sandwich and a safety / track briefing ( perfect start to the day really ) .
There were 3 Noble M600's there on the day . The blue pre production car that comprehensively destroyed my Carrera Gt at V Max ( even though the CGT beat 599GTO's and all sorts
) , a beautiful LHD metallic red car ( that was not driven ) and a Gorgeous black car that would join the blue car in being driven round Goodwood circuit all day .
I went out with Rob in the blue car first time out . Goodwood is one of the only circuits I have not driven so I used the first session just to learn the circuit / try not to kill Rob . I kept the car in 450 bhp mode and just kind of crept round . Im no honorific Mike Wilds but have quite a bit of experience driving high power cars on track now and even at that speed my impression was of a very well sorted car ...
We came back in for cigarettes and coffee's , the breakfast of champions ( my mother didnt raise any quitters ! ) .
It was here that Anthony ( Mr Wolff ) introduced me to Peter Boutwood . He seems a down to earth , enthusiastic , knowledgable proper petrol head . It must be a dream come true to be such a keen driver / petrolhead and be involved in a project which to me seemed to be basically to create the best drivers car in the world .
Now that I had an idea which way the circuit actually went I was keen to drive the car a little harder .
I went out with Peter in the Gorgeously finished black car .
The car was very solidly put together , the carbon weave and trimming was perfect .
After turning the power up to maximum we went out on circuit .
The car steers fantastically well . It is direct , feelsome without being hyperactive or " rough " feeling . One of the best helms . The feel from the seat and steering wheel was very good indeed . The car communicates very well what it is doing . It breaks away very progressively and will be an enormous amount of fun . It is damped so well , very controlled when it needs to be yet still amazingly compliant over bumps and curbs .
The power was absolutely biblical . It picks up ridiculously fast . The throttle is very good indeed and the perfectly placed pedals help the driving experience immensely . It sound great when it goes by and is so tractable that I did an entire lap in 6th gear and the damn thing would still pull really hard !
This brings us nicely onto the brakes . I have argued on this very forum that the lack of ABS was a mistake , I argued although better at stopping the non ABS would be an issue for regular use . How wrong can I be !
The steel brakes were absolutely amazing . Ferocious in there power yet so very very feelsome . If you lock up it will be when you literally jump on the pedal and even then the car communicates so well it will only be for a split second . I am comlpetely converted and have eaten several slices of humble pie .
I cannot put into words how great this car is to drive , it is a very pure driving experience , a fantastic machine .
The M600 is an amazing machine indeed . I always say the X Box 360 generation supercars like the 458 ( while great in their own way ) are not real supercars for someone of my age ( who was a child when the f40 et all were burning up the highways ). For me the Carrera GT is the last of that breed . A supercar with a manual box very little electronics
, in short a true drivers car . A car that provides a long term relationship , that you must learn and respect . I saw it as the son of the F40 and F50 . The last of the Mohicans .Fortunately I was wrong . The M600 picks up the sword for the true drivers car and wades into battle mercilessly . It is the highest praise I can give a modern car .
Best drivers car in the world ?
It very well may be .
It is a fantastic achievement , I wish Noble and Peter in particular every success . Also I'd like to thank all my dear friends at Romans International ( especially Anthony ) for putting on such a great , well planned , professional day .
Now if you will excuse me , I need to talk to my wife about something ...
All the usual suspects were there including all the Romans clan ( including Anthony the legendary Mr Wolff ) , Rob wilson was on hand to keep cars out of the barriers , Peter Boutwood was in attendance to answer all our questions and Joe Macari turned up in a Maserati MC12 Racer ( I think to cause mischief basically ! ).
The day started with car talk , warm greetings , a bacon sandwich and a safety / track briefing ( perfect start to the day really ) .
There were 3 Noble M600's there on the day . The blue pre production car that comprehensively destroyed my Carrera Gt at V Max ( even though the CGT beat 599GTO's and all sorts
) , a beautiful LHD metallic red car ( that was not driven ) and a Gorgeous black car that would join the blue car in being driven round Goodwood circuit all day .I went out with Rob in the blue car first time out . Goodwood is one of the only circuits I have not driven so I used the first session just to learn the circuit / try not to kill Rob . I kept the car in 450 bhp mode and just kind of crept round . Im no honorific Mike Wilds but have quite a bit of experience driving high power cars on track now and even at that speed my impression was of a very well sorted car ...
We came back in for cigarettes and coffee's , the breakfast of champions ( my mother didnt raise any quitters ! ) .
It was here that Anthony ( Mr Wolff ) introduced me to Peter Boutwood . He seems a down to earth , enthusiastic , knowledgable proper petrol head . It must be a dream come true to be such a keen driver / petrolhead and be involved in a project which to me seemed to be basically to create the best drivers car in the world .
Now that I had an idea which way the circuit actually went I was keen to drive the car a little harder .
I went out with Peter in the Gorgeously finished black car .
The car was very solidly put together , the carbon weave and trimming was perfect .
After turning the power up to maximum we went out on circuit .
The car steers fantastically well . It is direct , feelsome without being hyperactive or " rough " feeling . One of the best helms . The feel from the seat and steering wheel was very good indeed . The car communicates very well what it is doing . It breaks away very progressively and will be an enormous amount of fun . It is damped so well , very controlled when it needs to be yet still amazingly compliant over bumps and curbs .
The power was absolutely biblical . It picks up ridiculously fast . The throttle is very good indeed and the perfectly placed pedals help the driving experience immensely . It sound great when it goes by and is so tractable that I did an entire lap in 6th gear and the damn thing would still pull really hard !
This brings us nicely onto the brakes . I have argued on this very forum that the lack of ABS was a mistake , I argued although better at stopping the non ABS would be an issue for regular use . How wrong can I be !
The steel brakes were absolutely amazing . Ferocious in there power yet so very very feelsome . If you lock up it will be when you literally jump on the pedal and even then the car communicates so well it will only be for a split second . I am comlpetely converted and have eaten several slices of humble pie .
I cannot put into words how great this car is to drive , it is a very pure driving experience , a fantastic machine .
The M600 is an amazing machine indeed . I always say the X Box 360 generation supercars like the 458 ( while great in their own way ) are not real supercars for someone of my age ( who was a child when the f40 et all were burning up the highways ). For me the Carrera GT is the last of that breed . A supercar with a manual box very little electronics
, in short a true drivers car . A car that provides a long term relationship , that you must learn and respect . I saw it as the son of the F40 and F50 . The last of the Mohicans .Fortunately I was wrong . The M600 picks up the sword for the true drivers car and wades into battle mercilessly . It is the highest praise I can give a modern car .
Best drivers car in the world ?
It very well may be .
It is a fantastic achievement , I wish Noble and Peter in particular every success . Also I'd like to thank all my dear friends at Romans International ( especially Anthony ) for putting on such a great , well planned , professional day .
Now if you will excuse me , I need to talk to my wife about something ...
Edited by wtdoom on Saturday 22 October 12:05
)
Wow, fantastic write up and from a Porker owner, as non bias as they come. You mentioned the pedal position, that was one area that Jason Barlow (TG) wasn't so impressed with. He was saying the pedals are "annoyingly offset to the left" I've read that about the M12 I've never found it a problem, even with size 13's.
Peter is a very down to earth guy, shame I couldn't take him up on his offer of a ride in the M600, it is a great bit if kit. I think they have found a great gap in the supercar market
Peter is a very down to earth guy, shame I couldn't take him up on his offer of a ride in the M600, it is a great bit if kit. I think they have found a great gap in the supercar market
I couldn't think of anything worse than a car crammed with the latest electronic gizmos that supposedly 'aid' the driver in their experience.
A calculator with four wheels.....no thanks, not for me.
I'd prefer the calculations to be done in my head.When it comes to making split second decisions, you cannot beat the human brain.
A calculator with four wheels.....no thanks, not for me.
I'd prefer the calculations to be done in my head.When it comes to making split second decisions, you cannot beat the human brain.
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