Noble uprates the M15 supercar
Mystery backer's cash confirms 2007 launch
Noble M15
Details are scarce. Noble spokesman Peter Boutwood said: "The time we have had with the Noble M15 prototype has enabled us to do some further research and development. During the course of this positive and informative R&D we have found some significant improvements which we are implementing to the production M15.
"The car will look visually almost identical to the press prototype. Obviously we could have continued with the production of the original M15 and released the uprated version at a later date. This we felt would be both counter productive and unfair to our current customers awaiting delivery of the M15."
Boutwood confirmed that the car would based on the M15 chassis and outline, but that it would have more power with other components such as suspension and brakes uprated to match. It will remain a road car, not a track-only tool.
Boutwood couldn't say whether the engine would be new or if the existing three-litre V6 would be tweaked to suit. However, while he refused to rule out the possibility that Noble might at some point design its own engine, he also said that early prototypes of the uprated M15 were planned to be up and running early in 2007 -- too soon to produce and build a new engine.
The news came out as a result of company owner Lee Noble issuing a rather cryptic note to the Noble Owners Club as follows:
"As enthusiastic and loyal Noble owners I wanted you all to be one of the first to know that there have been some exciting and positive changes within the business structure of Noble Automotive.
"For some time now I have been working towards assuring the continued financial security that would enable me to further develop the Noble brand. I am very happy to announce that I have now, with immediate effect, successfully teamed with a dedicated owner who shares my commitment, passion and vision for the future of Noble cars and their continued production and development.
"We are now in the best place we have ever been…the world’s best affordable supercar is about to get even better."
Boutwood also couldn't say who the new investor was -- he wants to remain private -- but the amount involved would appear to be above £1 million. The investor is not a PHer, according to Boutwood.
According to an interview with Car magazine (see link below), Lee Noble said that the new backer replaces David Jones, chairman of high street fashion chain Next. "He's gone and it's a good thing too", said Noble.
Hmm, Noble has had rather a lot of backers. He started off with Moy (he of Page & Moy) when it was Noble Moy Automotive; sounds like David Jones has been and gone too. Given that Noble's sales go from strength to strength, can we assume that the only difficulty is getting along with Lee Noble...
Potential buyers of Aston Martin (Ltd) take note. 
I'm not sure if £1m represents a 'huge' investment in low volume brit sports car terms but it might be just enough to tool up a new cup holder for a volume manufacturer.
Anyway good work Noble, just please don't develop your own engine ffs!
Potential buyers of Aston Martin (Ltd) take note. I'm not sure if £1m represents a 'huge' investment in low volume brit sports car terms but it might be just enough to tool up a new cup holder for a volume manufacturer.
Anyway good work Noble, just please don't develop your own engine ffs!
Yep if Noble are selling 150-200 cars per year their turnover is in the range of £6-10 million.
Agreed on the don't develop your own engine sentiment, unless what they are planning to do is to upgrade existing engines in house.
Get rid of the Ford lump - go for the Audi V8 from the RS4 i'd say.
Then do something with the styling.
I noticed it says that it will have the outline of the M15 press car - which i interpret that they've taken on board a lot of the styling criticism and have made detail improvements, which was all it needed.
Good luck to them - the M12 is a gem of a car, i really hope the M15 suceeds.
Hmm, Noble has had rather a lot of backers. He started off with Moy (he of Page & Moy) when it was Noble Moy Automotive; sounds like David Jones has been and gone too. Given that Noble's sales go from strength to strength, can we assume that the only difficulty is getting along with Lee Noble...
I thought Moy retired on good terms and is still associated with Noble.
What's a crated RS4 engine going to cost though, even assuming Audi wanted to supply? I thought the atraction of the current unit was bang per buck?
i would imagine a lot but since this isnt in comp with audi i dont see there being much of an issue still the ol rover v8 is now being produced again and i cant think of a better home for it
Looking at the spy shots of the car,
www.autoexpress.co.uk/autoexpresstv/spyshotvideos/200300/audi_r8.html
It really looks like strong competition for the M15..........I know which one I would have
What's a crated RS4 engine going to cost though, even assuming Audi wanted to supply? I thought the atraction of the current unit was bang per buck?
The current V6 is pretty light I would be surprised if they could get an engine as compact and with as good power to weight ratio.
The only reason I could see them going for an engine change would be to try to get a naturally aspirated engine in to apease purists.
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