M15 first drive
Discussion
Drove the M15 yesterday.
This was my first time in the car since leaving Noble (although I'd spent many hours in the mule prior to this).
I'd be wasting my time and words by telling you that it was a/ fast b/beautifully balanced and c/immensely grippy - you know this already.
What people will not be expecting is how well-made the car is; how you can drive down pock-marked B roads at 100mph with the body and trim feeling as tight as a drum. There's no suspension noise and very little road noise, either, and when you want it to be the engine is as quiet as a mouse, save for the whoop and whistle of the turbo's wastegate.
This car is a revelation, even when judged beside its contempories.
Here's another thing: the M15 will out-run an M12/400 on any public road. Not just because it has more power and torque, but also because it has more grip and can be driven with more confidence. The steering is packed with feel, but loses the M400 system's kickback over poor surfaces (neither does it follow cambers like the P-Zero-equipped M cars). The body rolls slighly more through bends, but in the context of a fast road car that's a positive; the driver simply gets a clearer message about what the car's doing. It also equates to more front end grip and almost no understeer in the dry.
But this IS a car you can live with every day. Build quality inside is exceptional and clever cabin packaging means that there's plenty more usable occupant and oddment space. The upgraded air conditioning is super-effective, even in standing traffic on a 30 degree summer's day. The seats are well-padded, yet supportive. And overall the ergonomics put Noble up there with the big-players in the sports car market.
Not sure what TG will say about the car tomorrow evening, but if it's anything less than excellent praise, they're wrong.
I'm no longer on Lee's payroll, which means that if the car I drove yesterday had a TVR badge on it, I'd still say what I've said.
Good luck to Lee and his team. This time they thoroughly deserve it.
Simon
This was my first time in the car since leaving Noble (although I'd spent many hours in the mule prior to this).
I'd be wasting my time and words by telling you that it was a/ fast b/beautifully balanced and c/immensely grippy - you know this already.
What people will not be expecting is how well-made the car is; how you can drive down pock-marked B roads at 100mph with the body and trim feeling as tight as a drum. There's no suspension noise and very little road noise, either, and when you want it to be the engine is as quiet as a mouse, save for the whoop and whistle of the turbo's wastegate.
This car is a revelation, even when judged beside its contempories.
Here's another thing: the M15 will out-run an M12/400 on any public road. Not just because it has more power and torque, but also because it has more grip and can be driven with more confidence. The steering is packed with feel, but loses the M400 system's kickback over poor surfaces (neither does it follow cambers like the P-Zero-equipped M cars). The body rolls slighly more through bends, but in the context of a fast road car that's a positive; the driver simply gets a clearer message about what the car's doing. It also equates to more front end grip and almost no understeer in the dry.
But this IS a car you can live with every day. Build quality inside is exceptional and clever cabin packaging means that there's plenty more usable occupant and oddment space. The upgraded air conditioning is super-effective, even in standing traffic on a 30 degree summer's day. The seats are well-padded, yet supportive. And overall the ergonomics put Noble up there with the big-players in the sports car market.
Not sure what TG will say about the car tomorrow evening, but if it's anything less than excellent praise, they're wrong.
I'm no longer on Lee's payroll, which means that if the car I drove yesterday had a TVR badge on it, I'd still say what I've said.
Good luck to Lee and his team. This time they thoroughly deserve it.
Simon
Hello, Simon good to bump into again you at FOS, nice job moving the Bentley forward showing off the roof and then putting it back
! Got no doubts at at all that the M15 will be a superlative driving experience but unfortunately that styling, (way too many straight lines going into curved ones with zero cohesion,and yes I know styling is subjective,but outside of Noble fans I've yet to speak to anyone who's sold on it),means my money will not be going the M15 way. And yes, you are sorely missed on here.
! Got no doubts at at all that the M15 will be a superlative driving experience but unfortunately that styling, (way too many straight lines going into curved ones with zero cohesion,and yes I know styling is subjective,but outside of Noble fans I've yet to speak to anyone who's sold on it),means my money will not be going the M15 way. And yes, you are sorely missed on here.You liked it then???? 
The lack of M400 steering 'feedback' was the major thing that impressed me, and yet the steering wasn't dead, just deadly accurate.
I'm just so chuffed you got to drive it so early. Have fun at Bently, great to see you the other day (dare I say you looked just that little bit less stressed and more relaxed) and may you continue to inspire the petrol based world in the way you have done over the last years at Autocar and Noble.
Have fun, and feel free to ask me to swap a loaner from Bently for my M15 for the week
J
The lack of M400 steering 'feedback' was the major thing that impressed me, and yet the steering wasn't dead, just deadly accurate.
I'm just so chuffed you got to drive it so early. Have fun at Bently, great to see you the other day (dare I say you looked just that little bit less stressed and more relaxed) and may you continue to inspire the petrol based world in the way you have done over the last years at Autocar and Noble.
Have fun, and feel free to ask me to swap a loaner from Bently for my M15 for the week
J
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