Autocar M600 roadtest
Discussion
They seem to like it, but question the price point predictably.
Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
They have corrected the 600bhp/ton down to 520 and 480lb/ft per ton on the twisting stuff.
Interestingly there is a side-bar on Lee confirming he is working on a new road car that will "put the cat amongst the pigeons".... Autocar say they will have the exclusive on that "quite soon"
Certainly worth buying the mag as well as they have a test of 18 other quick British cars which serves as a reminder there is still a good sportscar industry out there.
Go spend your £2.50 to get the full thing.
J
Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
They have corrected the 600bhp/ton down to 520 and 480lb/ft per ton on the twisting stuff.
Interestingly there is a side-bar on Lee confirming he is working on a new road car that will "put the cat amongst the pigeons".... Autocar say they will have the exclusive on that "quite soon"
Certainly worth buying the mag as well as they have a test of 18 other quick British cars which serves as a reminder there is still a good sportscar industry out there.
Go spend your £2.50 to get the full thing.
J
joust said:
Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
J
I can throw mine off the road in the wet for a lot less moneyJ
joust said:
They seem to like it, but question the price point predictably.
Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
They have corrected the 600bhp/ton down to 520 and 480lb/ft per ton on the twisting stuff.
Interestingly there is a side-bar on Lee confirming he is working on a new road car that will "put the cat amongst the pigeons".... Autocar say they will have the exclusive on that "quite soon"
Certainly worth buying the mag as well as they have a test of 18 other quick British cars which serves as a reminder there is still a good sportscar industry out there.
Go spend your £2.50 to get the full thing.
J
and its still got the offset pedals in the cramped footwell.Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
They have corrected the 600bhp/ton down to 520 and 480lb/ft per ton on the twisting stuff.
Interestingly there is a side-bar on Lee confirming he is working on a new road car that will "put the cat amongst the pigeons".... Autocar say they will have the exclusive on that "quite soon"
Certainly worth buying the mag as well as they have a test of 18 other quick British cars which serves as a reminder there is still a good sportscar industry out there.
Go spend your £2.50 to get the full thing.
J
That was exceptionally dissapointing to read about, and suggests, despite Boutwood stating that Lee had absolutly nothing to do with the design, it is still the M15 chassis (ergo M14, M12 and M10) underneath.
As the M400 gives me cramps in my old legs after a few hours due to that offset (which seems worse than the M12 days, but maybe I'm just getting older), it makes the claim of it being a long distance GT less credible for me.
J
As the M400 gives me cramps in my old legs after a few hours due to that offset (which seems worse than the M12 days, but maybe I'm just getting older), it makes the claim of it being a long distance GT less credible for me.
J
joust said:
As the M400 gives me cramps in my old legs after a few hours due to that offset (which seems worse than the M12 days, but maybe I'm just getting older), it makes the claim of it being a long distance GT less credible for me.
Bryan Samuels (6S1733) reckons it'll be like a CGT, and therefore pretty comfortable, to drive long distance. Only time will tell I suppose. Have you driven a CGT Justin?Adrian W said:
I can throw mine off the road in the wet for a lot less money
Daisy Duke said:
Bryan Samuels (6S1733) reckons it'll be like a CGT, and therefore pretty comfortable, to drive long distance. Only time will tell I suppose. Have you driven a CGT Justin?
I've spent a short amount of time in one to gain an impression, and know an owner of one.That owner doesn't complain of it being uncomfortable (indeed, he was exceptionally complementary about it on a long run through France in summer last year, but then it's a LHD and I believe it's only RHD CGTs that have the offset pedals?
To that end as you say, if the M600 is to match a CGT it's going to have to be as comfortable. This might be difficult if the M600 pedals are offset as per this autocar article due to ingress of the front wheel as in the M12/M400. Looking at the shots of the M600 compared to either the "P1" prototype or the M15 the wheel doesn't seem to have moved nearer the front, nor has the passenger cell grown backwards from the front wheel. If you compare it to a side on of a CGT the front wheel on one is noticably more forward of the steering wheel.
J
joust said:
That owner doesn't complain of it being uncomfortable (indeed, he was exceptionally complementary about it on a long run through France in summer last year, but then it's a LHD and I believe it's only RHD CGTs that have the offset pedals?
No such thing as a RHD CGT I believe. So CGTs are universally comfortable. 
jeremyc said:
joust said:
That owner doesn't complain of it being uncomfortable (indeed, he was exceptionally complementary about it on a long run through France in summer last year, but then it's a LHD and I believe it's only RHD CGTs that have the offset pedals?
No such thing as a RHD CGT I believe. So CGTs are universally comfortable. Thanks JC.
J
Sutcliffe says ABS would cost Noble a Million.
Glad to see a single wiper blade at last
See video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEzHvFANUkA&fea...
Glad to see a single wiper blade at last
See video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEzHvFANUkA&fea...
I assumed that was because it had the power switch was "[the switch] is permanently set 11" (I assume he meant at the 650bhp setting, but then why call it 11 not 10?) and hence no TC.
But re-reading I can see how you can read it that they had turned it off on purpose, or was it not actually working/ready?
It's not really that clear.
J
But re-reading I can see how you can read it that they had turned it off on purpose, or was it not actually working/ready?
It's not really that clear.
J
Edited by joust on Wednesday 26th August 14:53
A shorter version is now on Autocar's website
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/No...
The posters on the comments forum at the end aren't being exactly complementary (and, no, none of them are me before anyone asks!)
J
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/No...
The posters on the comments forum at the end aren't being exactly complementary (and, no, none of them are me before anyone asks!)
J
joust said:
I assumed that was because it had the power switch was "[the switch] is permanently set 11" (I assume he meant at the 650bhp setting, but then why call it 11 not 10?) and hence no TC.
Wasn't that aimed at the skit, Spinal Tap where they claimed their speakers were so loud they went to 11, not 10.Had to laugh at the 1st line Sutcliffe says " forget for a moment the thorny issue of the Noble M600's £200,000-plus price" Since when has Autocar or Noble said it was a thorny issue? Like I originally posted they have all been on here reading the posts that's were it gets a bit "thorny"! He also states it will cost at least £200k so the on road price looks like being a bit more than that.
Not wanting to blow my own trumpet too much but I also posted that the performance figures will be out of this world even eclipsing the Veyron to 120 mph and Sutcliffe mentions thrust being stronger than even the mighty Veyron. It looks like the car will drive/handle brilliantly with a good ride but as usual I think the interior of this Noble and every other is it's biggest let down.
But hey I think it looks great and when Autocar road test it I am sure it will set new goals for high performance cars. I feel sorry for Noble they are bringing a new £200k out at the worst time possible economically and at the same time Ferrari are bringing out their best looking car since the Dino which will be priced a bit below the Noble I fear.
Good luck to them.
Not wanting to blow my own trumpet too much but I also posted that the performance figures will be out of this world even eclipsing the Veyron to 120 mph and Sutcliffe mentions thrust being stronger than even the mighty Veyron. It looks like the car will drive/handle brilliantly with a good ride but as usual I think the interior of this Noble and every other is it's biggest let down.
But hey I think it looks great and when Autocar road test it I am sure it will set new goals for high performance cars. I feel sorry for Noble they are bringing a new £200k out at the worst time possible economically and at the same time Ferrari are bringing out their best looking car since the Dino which will be priced a bit below the Noble I fear.
Good luck to them.
Adrian W said:
joust said:
Dissapointly there isn't any real performance tests. All performance figures are still "claimed". The highlight of the drive report is where Sutcliff nearly threw it off the road in the wet with the TC not able to really save him it seems.
J
I can throw mine off the road in the wet for a lot less moneyJ
Daisy Duke said:
joust said:
As the M400 gives me cramps in my old legs after a few hours due to that offset (which seems worse than the M12 days, but maybe I'm just getting older), it makes the claim of it being a long distance GT less credible for me.
Bryan Samuels (6S1733) reckons it'll be like a CGT, and therefore pretty comfortable, to drive long distance. Only time will tell I suppose. Have you driven a CGT Justin?Mr. VIN, are you really sure about that statement.
I've not seen the mule up close, but the autocar shots suggest that there is still a lot left of the M14/M15 that I was very very familiar with.
I said before on one of the threads that the front wheel to driver position seems unchanged from the 14/15, and hence unless you put skinnier wheels on you still are going to get the front wheel turning cicle intrusion into the pedal box. The only solution to do that would be to move the front wheel further forward, but they don't seem to have done that?
J
I've not seen the mule up close, but the autocar shots suggest that there is still a lot left of the M14/M15 that I was very very familiar with.
I said before on one of the threads that the front wheel to driver position seems unchanged from the 14/15, and hence unless you put skinnier wheels on you still are going to get the front wheel turning cicle intrusion into the pedal box. The only solution to do that would be to move the front wheel further forward, but they don't seem to have done that?
J
Yes, quite. When I said "they inherited a basic design and dimensions from the M14/15, although I can say confidently there isn't much left beyond that" I am referring to their inheriting the same basic footbox. I'm under the impression it is massaged somewhat, but only Noble know for certain. The reason there isn't much left beyond that is because nearly every mechanical item was improved, in particular most had to be strengthened...not that this is your focus on this point. You will likely not be happy with the footbox as it is not too different from the M14/15, but with the trunk space (ooops...boot...) as compared to the others (CGT, Enzo, etc.) this is a better GT IMO.
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