U.S. Press Discovers the M400

[JLSELAN]

Some pretty nice words in a recent article referenced in:
www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2294

Also note that the the write-up links to an interesting video clip of their testing.

[GravelBen]

Why is it that American car tests always quote far better performance stats than the rest of the world? Do they do all their testing on super-grippy drag strips or something? Some tests I've read/seen in US mags have claimed 0-60 over a second quicker than an apparently identical car in UK or German tests.

[gotapex]

Different magazines test different ways. Some upshift without lifting. The vast majority launch at the optimum RPM's. Most rest at reasonably quality dragstrips that take care of their tarmac.

[mikey_p]

Is that another greeny/turquoise Noble? or are my eyes deceiving me.

[adrian w]

GravelBen said:

Why is it that American car tests always quote far better performance stats than the rest of the world? Do they do all their testing on super-grippy drag strips or something? Some tests I've read/seen in US mags have claimed 0-60 over a second quicker than an apparently identical car in UK or German tests.

Remember it was a 1G built car and not the car u could buy in the UK

[GravelBen]

adrian w said:

GravelBen said:

Why is it that American car tests always quote far better performance stats than the rest of the world? Do they do all their testing on super-grippy drag strips or something? Some tests I've read/seen in US mags have claimed 0-60 over a second quicker than an apparently identical car in UK or German tests.

Remember it was a 1G built car and not the car u could buy in the UK

Its not just that car I'm thinking of though - their 3.2 to 60 is probably what, half a second quicker than UK tests? Also the Edmunds site has the standard Exige at 5.0 to 60mph, German Auto Motor und spport tested it at 5.9 to 100km/h (62ish mph). Likewise Edmunds put Exige S 4.2 to 60mph, German test got 5.2 or 5.3 to 100km/h from the Exige 240R which should be quicker. I guess mechanical sympathy etc does play a part, just wouldn't have expected a full second quicker. You live and learn.


ETA: Just read (on the PH Lotus forum) that some of the German mags/TV shows like to do their tests with 2 people and full fuel load in the car as more of a 'real-world' test, that could also account for the differences.

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 11th May 13:59

[obes]

Magazine Article said:

Lee Noble has been designing cars for the racetrack in his little English shop in Barwell

G-G-Granville, Fer Fetch yer cloth !

Edited by obes on Friday 11th May 16:15

[JLSELAN]

GravelBen said:

adrian w said:

GravelBen said:

Why is it that American car tests always quote far better performance stats than the rest of the world? Do they do all their testing on super-grippy drag strips or something? Some tests I've read/seen in US mags have claimed 0-60 over a second quicker than an apparently identical car in UK or German tests.

Remember it was a 1G built car and not the car u could buy in the UK

Its not just that car I'm thinking of though - their 3.2 to 60 is probably what, half a second quicker than UK tests? Also the Edmunds site has the standard Exige at 5.0 to 60mph, German Auto Motor und spport tested it at 5.9 to 100km/h (62ish mph). Likewise Edmunds put Exige S 4.2 to 60mph, German test got 5.2 or 5.3 to 100km/h from the Exige 240R which should be quicker. I guess mechanical sympathy etc does play a part, just wouldn't have expected a full second quicker. You live and learn.


ETA: Just read (on the PH Lotus forum) that some of the German mags/TV shows like to do their tests with 2 people and full fuel load in the car as more of a 'real-world' test, that could also account for the differences.

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 11th May 13:59

Yes, test conditions will certainly affect the measurements. For example, you can get an idea of the sensistivity of elapsed time and trap speed to vehicle weight and BHP by using the calculators posted here:
www.supermotors.net/vehicles/calculators/index.php#top
to run some test cases.
AFAIK publications in the U.S. also try to mimic "real world" conditions and they do end up carrying some extra weight in their test cars for instrumentation, etc; but that's probably less than what a passenger would weigh.