Autocar M14

[joust]

Funny, here I am, at 9:30 feeling like a kid at Christmas.

Why - well Autocar apparently has a big feature on the M14.

I think it also has a road test on the TVR cheese grater - that'll be interesting read

Can't wait!

J

[mg511]

Joust, it's not worth getting too excited about, just 3 pages of small pictures with short captions showing the 'birth' of the M14 from Nov '03 to May '04. As it's headed 'Lee Noble's Supercar Diary' I expected much more. There's 4 pages on the TVR Sagaris too, but again nothing we haven't seen before.

[DanH]

Ok it wasn't information packed but it wasn't too bad. I hadn't realised the M14 was longitudinal.

Still hoping Lee will look at the M14s front a bit. Its a bit slabby face on.

>> Edited by DanH on Tuesday 30th November 23:30

[Marlon]

Transverse (as prototype) or longitudinal (as we hear on the vine) or diagonal zig-zag, it's still the wrong engine for the car IMO. As with rumours of carbon-fibre, I'd put money (OK, not much) on a new engine strategy within 12 months. Hopefully the interior will get a restyle before the M14 goes into production; the dash design and plastics let it down - the exterior is just gob-smackingly gorgeous for a motor car.

[joust]

Marlon said:

the dash design and plastics let it down

That was one of my favourite bits!

I thought the red was a bit OTT, but if you saw past that touches like the metal switchgear were very nice.

It ain't no modern TVR, but then I don't like modern TVR interiors..... :runsaway:

J

[Marlon]

joust said:

Marlon said: the dash design and plastics let it down That was one of my favourite bits! I thought the red was a bit OTT, but if you saw past that touches like the metal switchgear were very nice. It ain't no modern TVR, but then I don't like modern TVR interiors..... :runsaway: J

I don't like modern TVR interiors either, no need to run! I just think the dash layout (steering wheel centre, instrument binacle, vents etc) is a bit fussy and the 'shiny plastics' a bit too shiny and plastic! Let's put it this way, if Noble wants to steel market share away from Porsche (maybe even Ferrari in the longer-term) they should IMO provide a cabin ambience that those customers will appreciate; classic, stylish, quality. The seats in the M14 are fab, the exterior is fab, but the dash is a bit garish and, dare I say it, tacky. If I was Marketing Director I'd be looking at a 2006 M14 with DB9 styling, and if I was MD I'd be looking at Audi for an engine and perhaps a dual-clutch (or zero-shift) gearbox. Oh, and to re-heat an old chestnut the M14 really should pack ABS. Discuss!

[obes]

I guess the 4.2 biturbo V8 from the RS6 would give it a fair bit of punch !!

[Marlon]

obes said:

I guess the 4.2 biturbo V8 from the RS6 would give it a fair bit of punch !!

More 'character' than the Duratec unit anyway... but I was thinking more Lamborghini V10!!!! Gallardo is ugly as hell, but wrap the engine in an M14 body and ooohhhhh! I'd buy THAT for a dollar!

[DanH]

Marlon said:

obes said: I guess the 4.2 biturbo V8 from the RS6 would give it a fair bit of punch !! More 'character' than the Duratec unit anyway... but I was thinking more Lamborghini V10!!!! Gallardo is ugly as hell, but wrap the engine in an M14 body and ooohhhhh! I'd buy THAT for a dollar!

You aren't David Blunket in disguise are you?!?!?!??!

[stuh]

DanH said:

Marlon said: obes said: I guess the 4.2 biturbo V8 from the RS6 would give it a fair bit of punch !! More 'character' than the Duratec unit anyway... but I was thinking more Lamborghini V10!!!! Gallardo is ugly as hell, but wrap the engine in an M14 body and ooohhhhh! I'd buy THAT for a dollar! You aren't David Blunket in disguise are you?!?!?!??!

Beat me to it! Gallardo is fantastic looking imho

[Marlon]

stuh said:

DanH said: Marlon said: obes said: I guess the 4.2 biturbo V8 from the RS6 would give it a fair bit of punch !! More 'character' than the Duratec unit anyway... but I was thinking more Lamborghini V10!!!! Gallardo is ugly as hell, but wrap the engine in an M14 body and ooohhhhh! I'd buy THAT for a dollar! You aren't David Blunket in disguise are you?!?!?!??! Beat me to it! Gallardo is fantastic looking imho

Nope, you're quite wrong . The Gallardo is a plain-looking beast to be sure to be sure. Squat, dumpy, doors that open out rather than up. Not enough drama for a Lambo. I wouldn't buy one because I'd get bored of looking at it, and of people NOT looking at it. Maybe my cateracts are getting slightly worse these days...