Noble M400
Full spec just released!
Track day and fast road enthusiasts alike have been eagerly awaiting the new top of the range Noble M400. Noble Automotive have now revealed the precise spec of the new 400bhp per tonne model.
The price is an eye watering £62,548 on the road (£61,995+delivery+road tax+reg fee) taking the Noble into new territory. Noble are keen to point out that the car remains perfectly usable on the road and is by no means a track day special.
Engine
For your money, you get a 425bhp, 390 lb-ft V6. The spec builds on the already impressive unit 3.0 V6 installed in the Noble M12. The Ford Duratec engine now gets high lift camshafts, forged pistons, larger turbos, oil cooler, improved engine cooling, a larger capacity, baffled sump and a new gear shift mechanism for the six speed 'box.
The M400 retains the twin-turbocharged arrangement of the standard GTO-3 and 3R models, but now has a brace of larger Garrett T28 turbochargers, which produce maximum boost at 0.85bar, replacing the standard cars’ T25s. A revised fuel pump and larger injectors cater for the M400’s improved performance.
Working with leading automotive engineers, Roush Technologies, Noble has developed a bespoke engine map for the M400, which makes full use of the power and torque available in the mid- to top-end of the rev-range, allowing the 3.0-litre V6 to pull strongly right up to its 7200rpm limiter. The maximum 425bhp of power is now produced at 6500rpm (300rpm up on other models) and the maximum 390lb ft of torque at 5000rpm, with 75 per cent of this figure available from just 3500rpm.
Chassis
Noble has targeted three key areas while developing the M400’s chassis. These are to improve levels of grip at higher speeds, whilst retaining progressive breakaway characteristics. Secondly they wanted greater degrees of body composure as the car approaches its limits, making it more predictable and controllable and finally they wanted to match - or get close to matching the on-road ride quality of the standard M12.
Bespoke Dynamic Suspensions units have been used to achieve this. These coil-over dampers were chosen after objective testing on a 4-post test rig, followed by subjective evaluation on road and track, including the Nurburgring.
Damping levels are fixed, though a threaded external body does allow the M400’s ride height to be adjusted, if required. As with all Nobles, double wishbones are fitted all round.
Complementing the dampers is a revised steering rack, which allows a further 0.8 of a turn between locks, while retaining the same ratio found on other Nobles (to make this possible, the footwell has been re-designed and is now double-skinned, adding further strength to the car’s structure). There are now 2.5 turns from lock to lock (standard M12: 1.7 turns) which gives drivers potentially more control if the car is oversteering on a track.
Replacing the M12 model’s Bridgestone SO-3 tyres, are Pirelli P-Zero Corsas of identical size. The Pirellis are directional and asymmetric in design and their softer compound offers increased levels of grip and steering feel. The M400’s high-speed control has also been enhanced by the Pirelli’s stronger sidewalls, which have a high resistance to flex under extreme cornering forces.
The M400 is the first Noble production car to use an anti-roll bar (ARB), which is fitted to the front suspension only. Designed in-house, the ARB weighs just 6kgs, thanks to hollow components which have been laser-cut and CNC-machined. While no road-going Noble has ever been fitted with an ARB before, Martin Short’s Rollcentre team is currently using the factory-designed system on its GT Cup Noble M12 this season, and is convinced of its worth under race conditions.
Brakes are 330mm diameter discs all round, with four-pot callipers, taken from the current M12 range. The M400 adds a revised pressure control valve, which sends more bias to the rear brakes.
Weight
In order to arrive at the M400’s 400bhp per tonne power to weight ratio, Noble has managed to shave 20kgs from the M12’s already slender kerbweight by removing the air conditioning pump and its assorted plumbing. While air conditioning is a cost option on the standard 3R model, no cars have left the factory without it, hence its inclusion in the 3R’s kerbweight figure. However, Noble anticipates that M400 owners will be more likely to forgo this feature in favour of a superior power to weight ratio. Air conditioning will remain a cost option on the M400.
Interior
All models will be trimmed throughout in high-quality black Alcantara and fitted with all-new Sparco race seats. The seats themselves come with a removable backrest and under-thigh pads. Both seats are fore and aft adjustable, and can be tilted backwards and forwards for maximum comfort.
Bearing in mind that the M400 will be popular among circuit drivers, Noble has moved both seats in towards the centre of the car by 15mm to allow more headroom at the side of, and above, occupants’ heads, especially if they’re wearing crash helmets. This re-positioning has also removed the slight pedal offset found in standard M12s. All M400s come as standard with four-point race harnesses, as well as a conventional inertia-reel safety belt for road use.
While the basic dash architecture will be familiar to current M12 owners, the M400’s cabin also receives a combined oil temperature and pressure gauge incorporated into the central switch-panel and ‘M400’ badging on the steering wheel boss.
Exterior
Bodywork changes include enlarged side air scoops to keep the engine bay cool and bigger front air intakes to improve air flow to the radiator. Further emphasising the M400 status of the car, each model will get M400 graphics running along the side of the car .
Noble estimate the performance to be quite 'brisk'. 0-60 is estimated at 3.5 seconds with a maximum speed of 185mph.
Links
m12_nathan said:
who cares, it looks like a cheese grater.
Funny that's just what I thought... not quite as eloquently though!
£62,000
, still, I doubt many things could hold a candle to it, on road or track. One thing though, are those garish red 'M400' decals on the side (p.78-9 in 'Car' this month) an option??? I'd rather mine without.
All in all well done Noble, a round of applause I think
Sam
And if your out on the road in something with 400bhp/tonne on a hot day, you can just wear shorts and wind the windows down.
Save maybe 5kg in clothes and shoes and get 403bhp/tonne
Dave
kentviking said:
I believe TVR still hold the style stakes
I agree with you, in that the T350 is a better looking car than the M12. But what they did with the Sagaris (in concept form at least) is just horrible!
Edited to add: In my own opinion
>> Edited by s3am on Friday 30th April 16:23
Looking forward to the motorshow now! Agree about the decals though.......and not wild on the protruding air intake from the photo's in Car magazine. Might look OK on a black car?
Micknall - Do you know if the new gear linkage will carry across to the GTC ?
Well done to all at Noble, must be a bit hectic over there at the mo
s3am said:
I believe TVR still hold the style stakes
I agree with you, in that the T350 is a better looking car than the M12. But what they did with the Sagaris (in concept form at least) is just horrible!
Edited to add: In my own opinion
>> Edited by s3am on Friday 30th April 16:23
Indeed...I do hope TVR don't take the Sagaris as the family look from here...350, Typhon, Tuscan styling is certainly the right direction. {would like to put that nodding/agreeing smiley in at this point but don't know the code)
Mr Whippy said:
Why do you need air-con in a car like this anyway. Surely if you have a £62k weekend/track car your gonna have another car thats more comfy on a REALLY hot day, that has air-con too.
Have you ever driven a mid engined car when the weather is being kind? I'd not consider it without the aircon to be honest.
If its really just a track car, save some money, gain some performance and get a radanail (er Radical).
62k
and the suspensions not adjustable! Extra steering lock is a very nice addition. I'd hope they roll that out onto the rest of the range for future cars.
>> Edited by DanH on Friday 30th April 16:59
For the money i think i'd prefer a GT3...
However... i'd certainly be interested in a second hand M400 after a few years
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