Driven: Noble M400
Ted gets behind the wheel
| Engine: | V6 2968cc Twin Turbo |
| Power: | 425bhp @ 6500rpm |
| Torque: | 390lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Power/Weight: | 401bhp / tonne |
| 0-60mph: | 3.5 secs (est) |
| 0-100mph: | 8.0 secs (est) |
| Top Speed: | 185mph |
While I've been fortunate enough to drive a lot of cars - and spend a lot of time on track - I remain an average driver in terms of track skills. It's frustrating but I'm just not the sort of chap who can jump into an unfamiliar car and wring its neck from the off.
Likewise, finding myself on an unfamiliar track can be a bit daunting. I can't identify the correct apexes on the bends within one lap - nor can I fine tune my braking points withinfive minutes.
So trying Noble London's M400 demonstrator at Rockingham proved quite a challenge for an average chap like me. I've not driven there before and my previous experience in an M12 had been limited to ten minutes blatting about suburbia a couple of years back.
 |
 |
Race schools always make sure that instructors do hot laps after the punter has done their thing - just in case the novices get the wrong idea about how hard to push the car. Luckily for me, Noble London's owner -- and ex-Tuscan racer -- Giles Cooper dispensed with that nonsense.
One lap around to show me which way the track went, and which line to take, and then it was another three of high speed blatting! Even from the passenger seat it was obvious how well balanced the M400 is. Giles linked up the corners in a smooth yet aggressive manner, eking plenty out of the engine and making the most of the chassis. It was a fine demonstration that taking a car by the scruff of the neck doesn't have to mean ten minutes of lurching, understeer and oversteer.
My Turn
When we swapped positions and I took the driving seat, I was apprehensive of all I had to learn in a short space of time. There are some cars which, when driven on track, take a real understanding of the finer points of weight transfer, sympathy with notchy gearboxes, and peaky engines, which can make driving on track an intimidating experience -- especially with an instructor barking at you.
With the Noble it wasn't so. Sitting low down in the M400 you get an unusual sense of road car like calmness and comfort, yet coupled with race like feel to the ride and handling. Few cars feel so 'flat' or convey the notion that the wheels are right at each corner with you and engine finely balanced in between.
A joy in the bends
It was relatively easy to adopt a decent pace in the M400 on the Rockingham track. Even with much faster drivers around, it's not a car that you need be fearful in. There's enough pace to keep yourself ahead of any traffic and then just back off when the time is right to let them pass.
The massive 425bhp on tap allows the Noble to thrust forwards when you apply your right foot. The pedal unleashes opens the floodgates and with a gush of power, the turbos whizz (fairly quietly though within the car) and before you know it you're flying towards the next corner at great speed. A dab of the brakes, the speed is moderated and then it's a matter of keeping the engine spinning at the right speed to keep the car correctly balanced on the fine suspension. That's where the real skill comes in - and where the Noble can provide the most reward.
The chassis is firm -- perhaps too much so for British roads -- but the rewards are there to be had from guiding it through high speed bends. More experienced drivers can revel in the feedback and balance to be enjoyed whilst us mere mortals can learn a lot about how to correctly drive a bend thanks to the feedback provided by the car. Get it wrong and you can feel the car pressing hard but it stays composed -- not biting back too early. It's not without its limits but speed and precision with which experienced drivers can guide the M400 around a track are a joy to behold.
Great Track Car
I don't believe the M400 is the prettiest car but - as can be the case in other walks of life - some talents more than make up for looks.
Links
Ted said:Get out of here
You wouldn't want to use a car like this everyday -- and many would say that it's expensive for a track toy -- but if you can afford it there can't be many similar experiences to be enjoyed.
I use mine almost every day (3000 miles in 3 months) and the only comment, and it's not a critism, is that the car is a bit unsettled on difficult b-road surfaces at slow speeds.
Driving behind, say, TVRs (
) does mean the car doesn't fell at one with itself, but the moment you are past the slower car and pushing on (within the limits, honestly officer) the car loads up the suspension wonderfully and you can make some serious ground. Couple that with the fact that once you get it onto the track you can have a wonderful time with the chassis (which reminds me, I really now must learn left foot braking) it's worth that very slight compormise when you are forced to go at 30mph down a bumpy 'b' road.
J
As a company, we design and build road cars: in no way should prospective buyers regard them as 'expensive' trackday-only vehicles!
Excuse me, while I just step down from my soap-box...
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer (and 'Fearless speed-junkie, if you believe this week's Autocar)
Noble Automotive Ltd.
I'm very pleasently suprised to see that while I was away the larger air intakes have been body colour-coded. That was the one thing putting me off the M400, and made me want to wait for the GTC to hit the market - well, that and for the winning lottery ticket to fall into my pocket, meaning I wouldn't have to convince the misses it really is worth the pitence of a price tag the Noble's carry for the car you get, allowing me to have one of each in every colour
PetrolTed said:If it wasn't for Mad Ken's idea of 'traffic control' I'd drive it every day Ted.
There's a difference between racking up lots of miles in a weekend car and using one 'every day' though.
Anyway, let's not lose sight of the fact that overall I loved it.
Unfortunatly, if I have to be in work for 8:20am, I can leave home at 7:30am for 'driving to work' "to work". If I want to be in for 9:00am then I leave at 7:31am, and if I want to be in at 10:00am then I leave at 7:32am (thank you very much Mr ****** Ken)
As it also takes me 1 hour to get in by train and tube, so, if I don't need to be in before 9:00am I take the train. If I need to be in before 8:30am I take the car.
That means that I drive it ~2 or 3 times a week, and 50%+ of my miles are done in and around London.
For those that have driven through Stretham's roads^h^h^h^hpotholes you'll be pleased to know the M400 (as was the M12) gets me there just as comfy as the X5, and given the choice (which of course I have) of the X5, Quattro, Marcos or Noble, 90% of the time I'll take the Noble into work.
So, would I drive it every day, in London, from Croydon via Stretham, through Dulwich to the City - yes!
Ted - if you want to you are quite welcome to drive my around some of Croydon & Surrey's finest, and you'll see that whilst there is a small 'compromise' (probably change is the better word) between the 3R and M400, smiles per mile the M400 probably has the 3R licked (no offence to 3R owners!)
J
Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff