Tuesday 2nd May 2017

Noble M600: Spotted

Nonplussed by automatic, sanitised supercars? The Noble M600 - at a more sensible price - could be the answer

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The appeal of the Noble M600 should be well known by now, given its unique status amongst supercars and the fact it's now been on sale since 2011. For those not in the know, it's fairly simple to explain: here's a car within 20hp of a Ferrari 488 but with a manual gearbox and driver aids that extend only to traction control. It's the supercar for those people who really, really want to drive them, however small that group of people may actually be.

As such, it's proved a rather popular car on PH. Back when it was first driven in 2011 we said "the M600 can, and will, take you to a level that none of its competition can match". High praise indeed, particularly given the McLaren and Ferrari that provide the obvious competition. Then when the deal with SVR was announced last year and we got another drive, more compliments came flooding in: "Typically British: made in a veritable shed, delivering the rich, quality dynamics that rivals probably deem wizardry. It's a delight"

By 2016 that was kind of known, the trouble now facing the M600 being its price. There was a Roadster for sale at £300K and, even now, a right-hand drive coupe is the best part of a quarter of a million. Given the performance that's not unreasonable, but it's hard to imagine the Noble badge holding the same sway with prospective owners at that money as a Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini.

So how about a used one? It's hardly like the formula has changed since introduction, so there's no danger of missing out on some crucial update or revision. Moreover, even if the M600 is replaced, it's not like the technology will be superseded and you'll be left envious; where Ferrari may continue to enhance Side Slip Control and McLaren finesses its Brake Steer, the joy of big power, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox is timeless really. Hence the current fascination with getting it back in new cars...

This M600 was a Noble demonstrator in 2011, before being sold to its first - and only - public owner. It has covered 32,000 miles in that time; pleasing to see that the driver's supercar is being enjoyed. With all due respect to Noble, this is not really the car for collections or concours lawns, so good on that owner for driving it! Remember too that 650hp is apparently 75 per cent of what this V8 is capable of, so it's hardly like the engine is stressed to its maximum. The car has been maintained and serviced at the Noble factory and is ready to go for the next owner; well, mechanically it is, but they may want a retrim of that interior...

The price is £168,950, certainly the least we've seen an M600 at thus far. There are alternatives from where you would expect, low mileage Ferraris and McLarens available in budget. If you will not accept anything less than 600hp and a manual gearbox though, options are limited. There aren't any Corvette ZR1s on PH at the moment, and this GT2 RS recently sold - the asking price was £289,995. A Ford GT is going to be at least £250K, and makes a measly 550hp...

For traditional, old school supercar thrills then, there's a lot in the Noble's favour. It's not going to be to every taste - what is? - but it does offer something different in the supercar world. For some that will be enough; that there is genuine talent beyond the rarity factor should make it all the more appealing for the rest.

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NOBLE M600
Engine: 4,439cc V8 twin-turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 669@6,800rpm (quoted as 'maximum net power')
Torque (lb ft): 604@3,800rpm
MPG: 20.2 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 333g/km
Recorded mileage: 31,000
Year registered: 2011
Price new: N/A
Price now: £168,950

See the original advert here

[Ho Lee Kau]

Fascinating car!

But for that money one can surely find 997 GT2. It has 530hp, which is already Big Power, but which can easily be raised to 600+ if necessary.

OR one can buy a 997 Turbo, take off the front drive shaft and have a RWD coupe again (also, the front skirt can be replaced with GT2 skirt to increase downforce, that is not really expensive).

[Ho Lee Kau]

PurpleAki said:

And so it begins...

Idiots.

Since people are of different opinion they are idiots, right?
Think about who the REAL idiot is.

[Ho Lee Kau]

fblm said:

PH said:

If you will not accept anything less than 600hp and a manual gearbox though, options are limited.

Viper ACR and a lot of change. Most fun car I've ever driven.

I go with you on that one!
M600 is a fascinating car, but 8.4L 10cyl american MUSCLE in a much more iconic Viper - that's something to dream about!

The fact that Noble has no driver aids, well, every driver will be scared to drive it around, unless, of course, they are nutjobs ready to endanger other people's lives for a thrill.

[Ho Lee Kau]

e21Mark said:

A kit car you say??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcP6vsOR5rU

Noble has 650hp.
Does TurboS have 650hp? No.
Now, away from empty, wide, dry straight line drag race which car will you (or pretty much anyone) will be faster in? Not Noble, that's for sure.

BTW, have you seen what 911 Turbos with 1000hp for about 30-40k extra money can do?

[Ho Lee Kau]

kambites said:

Why is Noble asking that sort of money for the M600 somehow more ridiculous than Pagani asking three times as much money for the Huayra?

Huayra is a work of art.
Hamilton has two of them. How many Nobles does he have?