M400 on Top Gear

[Dakkon]

As the latest season of Top Gear has finished, am I right in thinking that the only showing of the M400 was against the GT40?

Or have I missed an episode?

Still wondering about its lap time???

[Marlon]

You haven't missed anything, and you're not alone in wondering about the lap time!

[micknall]

I can't see the harm in revealing the lap time now that the series has finished.

It was 1m 22.2. That puts it behind the Enzo, Atom, Carrera GT, McLaren SLR and Ford GT. But in front of the 360CS and the GT3 RS. Oh yes, and nearly three seconds quicker than the Noble M12 GTO-3 which was tested in Summer '03.

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.

[eisenjj]

Micknall...where did this come in compared to the Zonda back in '03 as was compared to the Noble airing of the same year?

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

With the GT40 being 0.6 faster than the M400, that makes the 1960's car 0.3 second faster than the new Ford GT. Progress eh?

The Zonda was 1:23.8 BTW.

Edited due to rubbish typing of numbers...

>> Edited by ThatPhilBrettGuy on Wednesday 5th January 08:22

[kentviking]

[quote=micknall]I can't see the harm in revealing the lap time now that the series has finished.

It was 1m 22.2. That puts it behind the Enzo, Atom, Carrera GT, McLaren SLR and Ford GT. But in front of the 360CS and the GT3 RS. Oh yes, and nearly three seconds quicker than the Noble M12 GTO-3 which was tested in Summer '03.
quote]

well that settles that then...thank you simon...and b****y well done!

[Dakkon]

Just a shame they did not do a proper feature on it, maybe next season...

[joust]

A stunning result, particularly given your other comments Simon about the number of laps the Stig got in it.

If that was the time taken on the lap that was videoed, then there surely is more to come? That lap seemed to have the Stig all out of shape coming into the one before Gambon - surely he fluffed a gear change or braking point to get it that sideways. There must have been some more 10ths if he'd got that all together better?

J

[michael_JCWS]

joust said:

If that was the time taken on the lap that was videoed, then there surely is more to come? That lap seemed to have the Stig all out of shape coming into the one before Gambon - surely he fluffed a gear change or braking point to get it that sideways. There must have been some more 10ths if he'd got that all together better? J

I think the time was taken from a previous session. I seem to remember Simon saying that M400 session was a different day to the GT and M400 session.

Cheers

Michael

[micknall]

The footage shown was filmed on the same day that all the other cars in the feature were shot.

And yes, Justin, you're right: Stig admitted that he fluffed a change on the way into Gambon, which may well have clinched it for us, while getting us easily into the one twenty-ones. Unfortunately the day was short (in terms of light) and therefore schedules were tight, so there was no chance to better the time.

Simon

[joust]

micknall said:

The footage shown was filmed on the same day that all the other cars in the feature were shot. And yes, Justin, you're right: Stig admitted that he fluffed a change on the way into Gambon, which may well have clinched it for us, while getting us easily into the one twenty-ones. Unfortunately the day was short (in terms of light) and therefore schedules were tight, so there was no chance to better the time. Simon

Next year! Can't wait!

J

[obes]

joust said:

That lap seemed to have the Stig all out of shape coming into the one before Gambon - surely he fluffed a gear change or braking point to get it that sideways. There must have been some more 10ths if he'd got that all together better? J

Any one else think the Atom should have been quicker than that too ?

[DanH]

obes said:

joust said: That lap seemed to have the Stig all out of shape coming into the one before Gambon - surely he fluffed a gear change or braking point to get it that sideways. There must have been some more 10ths if he'd got that all together better? J Any one else think the Atom should have been quicker than that too ?

Reputably the Atom's setup isn't that good so it may well reflect that whilst there is enough (!) power, not everything else is quite right.

[obes]

That explains it! looking at the figures on the Atom and Clarksons rave review I really expected to see it top by a couple of seconds. IIRC it went miles wide round hammerhead, a dodgy set up will certainly show on that corner!

O.

[joust]

DanH said:

Reputably the Atom's setup isn't that good so it may well reflect that whilst there is enough (!) power, not everything else is quite right.

It looked very very slow through hammerhead...

J

[DanH]

joust said:

DanH said: Reputably the Atom's setup isn't that good so it may well reflect that whilst there is enough (!) power, not everything else is quite right. It looked very very slow through hammerhead... J

True, but it has very firm suspension so it might just be the lack of roll giving that impression. Clearly he came in with too much speed to get that much understeer. As we all know though, the fastest laps never look that quick.