Wednesday 10th December 2003

Noble M400 Development

430bhp Noble at Rockingham

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Noble recently showed its M400 development car to fans and customers gathered at Rockingham Speedway recently.

The development mule (reg M400 GTO) has an uprated engine pumping out 430bhp from the twin turbocharged V6. To cope with the extra grunt the car was fitted with grippier tyres, uprated springs and competition dampers.

Lee Noble commented, "Out intention is to creat a far more hardcore, lightweight version of the M12 which will be aimed a those owners who want a car for the track and are not bothered about sacrificing much of the GTO-3 and 3R's road comfort. "

It's hoped that a finished prototype will be ready for May's motor show at the NEC.

Links

• Noble Links
• Noble Owners

[goodlife]

And it was an incredible beast!

Joust got to drive it. Most of us *only* got taken round Rockingham by 2003 champion Martin Short.

It was VERY quick

[Podie]

[3rtt]

Anyone (Simon), got the dates for the NEC Motorshow in May.

Will there be anything else new other than the M400 on display?..... I think we should be told!!!!!

If you cannot tell us at this stage, I'm happy to be a tea boy for the next couple of months at the factory.....

Cheers
Ian.

>> Edited by 3rtt on Wednesday 10th December 17:36

[nildram]

I drove it too. Personally, I don't give a stuff about the extra power, but the suspension and tyres are a must-have...

[DustyC]

Lee Noble commented, "Out intention is to creat a far more......"

He's from Yorkshire then is he?!

(Cant get to the be the proof reader so quick now that I have to work for a living! Unless you got any vacancies Ted! Of course Id have to have a company car! )



>> Edited by DustyC on Wednesday 10th December 19:02

[cacatous]

Does it look any different?

[BCA]

goodlife said:

Most of us *only* got taken round Rockingham by 2003 champion Martin Short. It was VERY quick

A milk float in the hands of Martin Short is VERY quick A Noble in the hands of Martin short must be close to time travel...

[joust]

cacatous said:

Does it look any different?

Nope - exactly the same (well - the test mule did have an interesting rear end but that was due to an earlier accident - not by design!)

J

[micknall]

not exactly the same, actually (M400)

Motor Show is 26 May to 6th June.

And Ian: we will also be launching the GTC there, too. So two new models at one show can't be too bad for a little company like ours, surely?

[joust]

Sorry Simon - I meant the M400 that was at Rockingham (as per the story) looked the same.

J

[3rtt]

micknall said:

not exactly the same, actually (M400) Motor Show is 26 May to 6th June. And Ian: we will also be launching the GTC there, too. So two new models at one show can't be too bad for a little company like ours, surely?

Nothing but respect Simon.. The development of the Noble Marque over the past couple of years would leave some big brands with very sheepish faces. I also appreciate your comments regarding concentrating on developing new cars, rather than offering power upgrades for current cars, and support it.

More cars = more customers = your customer is your best sales person.

I look forward to supporting the Noble stand at the Motor show. I'll even offer my services as tea boy / car polisher for a day at the show.

Cheers,
Ian.

[fourhundredbhp]

I had a trip 'round Rocky with BTCC driver Phil Bennett and quite enjoyed it, but could'nt stop him talking motorbikes once he knew I partook. However, when I got to go around with Shorty in M400....warp factor 9 Mr Sulu ! Martin loved the car and it showed, he was giggling the whole time and kept saying things like "sh*t" & "Jesus". It made me grin for the rest of the day !! Martin.

[AL001]

Simon, is the M400 going to be the carbon bodied track special, with sequential g/rbox or will the M400 just take over from the GT03R and be around the same price?

Any technical spec/info (unless it's being held back to the Motor Show) would be appreciated as I'm considering selling my Porsche GT3 CS and looking around at various options now - the Noble being one of them.