M400 in Top Gear mag
Discussion
Tom seems to get a bad press from time to time, which I feel is unjustified.
I know him well, and he's enthusiastic, knowledgable and very fair with his verdicts. Don't be put off by the rather flamboyant image cultivated for him by Fifth Gear and Car, because beneath this there's a motoring writer of real depth and ability. His recent appointment as Deputy Ed at TG underscores this...
I know him well, and he's enthusiastic, knowledgable and very fair with his verdicts. Don't be put off by the rather flamboyant image cultivated for him by Fifth Gear and Car, because beneath this there's a motoring writer of real depth and ability. His recent appointment as Deputy Ed at TG underscores this...
Simon, It's good to see Lee is keeping you so busy, you were running around the factory at 100mph yesterday! Martin.
PS - that was my mate waving at you from the passenger seat of the Black Mitsubishi twin turbo yesterday when you were waiting to enter a roundabout, with me driving. You looked puzzled as to who it was!
PS - that was my mate waving at you from the passenger seat of the Black Mitsubishi twin turbo yesterday when you were waiting to enter a roundabout, with me driving. You looked puzzled as to who it was!
micknall said:
Tom seems to get a bad press from time to time, which I feel is unjustified.
I know him well, and he's enthusiastic, knowledgable and very fair with his verdicts. Don't be put off by the rather flamboyant image cultivated for him by Fifth Gear and Car, because beneath this there's a motoring writer of real depth and ability. His recent appointment as Deputy Ed at TG underscores this...
I haven't forgiven him for the boring 5th gear reviews and the terrible review of the 996 Turbo cab in one of the magazines. His writing style does nothing to convince me he is a petrol head in the same vane as Barker, Meaden etc, however that may be because he has to review some of the most tedious cars on the planet rather than the kind of car Evo review on a monthly basis.
Can't say too much now, but put a note in your diaries to get Top Gear and Car at the end of July...
And yes, Evo will feature the M400 in their upcoming issue. Think it's out today.
Other Noble stories pending are in Classic Car (Future Classic: GTO-3R) and GQ, again with the 3R.
Finally, I believe Autocar's Handling Day feature, which includes the M400, will be out within the next three weeks. Their verdict is important to us (as are those of all the high-profile car mags), so keep an eye out for this issue on the news stands!
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
And yes, Evo will feature the M400 in their upcoming issue. Think it's out today.
Other Noble stories pending are in Classic Car (Future Classic: GTO-3R) and GQ, again with the 3R.
Finally, I believe Autocar's Handling Day feature, which includes the M400, will be out within the next three weeks. Their verdict is important to us (as are those of all the high-profile car mags), so keep an eye out for this issue on the news stands!
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
I've just read the article and now I REALLY wish I'd waited a few more weeks. A great write up. On describing the acceleration, he says the best way to replicate the sensation would be to strap on a bullit proof vest, available at your local Asda if you live in London, and shoot yourself in the chest at close range 6 times to simulate the gear changes.
I didn't buy the magazine in protest though. They describe the car as the best british supercar of all time, but do not give it the smallest of space on the cover. A British car this important should have got TOP billing. Martin.
I didn't buy the magazine in protest though. They describe the car as the best british supercar of all time, but do not give it the smallest of space on the cover. A British car this important should have got TOP billing. Martin.
V6GTO said:
I've just read the article and now I REALLY wish I'd waited a few more weeks. A great write up. On describing the acceleration, he says the best way to replicate the sensation would be to strap on a bullit proof vest, available at your local Asda if you live in London, and shoot yourself in the chest at close range 6 times to simulate the gear changes.
I didn't buy the magazine in protest though. They describe the car as the best british supercar of all time, but do not give it the smallest of space on the cover. A British car this important should have got TOP billing. Martin.
Oh stoppitt Martin - just get on and enjoy the thought of owning a "Rover el gringo M12" with its piddly 352 horses!!! ;-)
These new magazine articles sound very interesting.
Is there anyway that someone could provide access to copies of these articles to those of us in the U.S. that don't have access to the magazines?
Maybe someone in the Noble factory (Simon's office) could scan them so we could read them?
Is there anyway that someone could provide access to copies of these articles to those of us in the U.S. that don't have access to the magazines?
Maybe someone in the Noble factory (Simon's office) could scan them so we could read them?
Just read the EVO articles.
They have the 3R up against the 911 (996 and new 997) and 645CI (why?).
The 911's come out on top! Are these guys driving the same car as me? EVO do seem to have lost the plot of late im my opinion, take this quote as an example, "because of the Nobles lack of anti-lock which means you hold back, especially when the road is bumpy"
Having driven a 911 and the M12 around my local B roads i know which one i'd back off in first!
Then in the track car article the M400 beat the 911GT3 RS around Bedford (the 360CS was tracked on a different circuit) but placed 3rd on the basis of too much grip making it an unpleasant and frantic drive. Since when was tracking a car about cruising about with your arm out of the window.....
>> Edited by stuh on Saturday 3rd July 13:33
>> Edited by stuh on Saturday 3rd July 13:36
They have the 3R up against the 911 (996 and new 997) and 645CI (why?).
The 911's come out on top! Are these guys driving the same car as me? EVO do seem to have lost the plot of late im my opinion, take this quote as an example, "because of the Nobles lack of anti-lock which means you hold back, especially when the road is bumpy"
Having driven a 911 and the M12 around my local B roads i know which one i'd back off in first!
Then in the track car article the M400 beat the 911GT3 RS around Bedford (the 360CS was tracked on a different circuit) but placed 3rd on the basis of too much grip making it an unpleasant and frantic drive. Since when was tracking a car about cruising about with your arm out of the window.....
>> Edited by stuh on Saturday 3rd July 13:33
>> Edited by stuh on Saturday 3rd July 13:36
Spoiled Saturday morning.... feel a rant coming.... I'll put my hands up to being biased, but still.... 
Couldn't believe the EVO article, but this seems to be the way those guys are recently. In recent months they have gone back to being anti-Noble in a big way. Last months on-road review of the M400 vs 360CS vs GT3 vs Exige was the same. Regularly the Noble is quickest and most controlled but comes last?!? Call a spade a spade, if the car's better it's better, just because its got "expensive" stamped on it doesn't make it a better experience, nor does "motorsport heritage" make a blind bit of difference if it doesn't translate to a better car on the road.
From Evo initially (2+ years ago) being interested in great cars they are all becoming more interested in "evo-ness" - the only place they seem to find this is up their own a**e. I'm fed up reading an objective analysis that puts the Noble first in everything related to the driving experience, then some arbitrary decision that its not "evo" enough because of interior, decals, lack of expense, safe enough for "normal" drivers. The cars aren't for everyone, if they were then they'd be mass produced and bland. If ever there was a stealth task-force killing great cars then Evo could be it - masquerade as a performance mag then slate any truly performance orientated cars.
Quite why the factory want to provide them an M400 for their track-days is unfathomable. I'd tell them where to work their articles - maybe they'll find "evo" in there if they push hard enough. Peter Wheeler had the right idea - if they can't be helpful then
them 
To factory - don't listen to the doubter - you're doing fine
PS - I'll still be in to pick up my M400 next week
Scott.
Couldn't believe the EVO article, but this seems to be the way those guys are recently. In recent months they have gone back to being anti-Noble in a big way. Last months on-road review of the M400 vs 360CS vs GT3 vs Exige was the same. Regularly the Noble is quickest and most controlled but comes last?!? Call a spade a spade, if the car's better it's better, just because its got "expensive" stamped on it doesn't make it a better experience, nor does "motorsport heritage" make a blind bit of difference if it doesn't translate to a better car on the road.
From Evo initially (2+ years ago) being interested in great cars they are all becoming more interested in "evo-ness" - the only place they seem to find this is up their own a**e. I'm fed up reading an objective analysis that puts the Noble first in everything related to the driving experience, then some arbitrary decision that its not "evo" enough because of interior, decals, lack of expense, safe enough for "normal" drivers. The cars aren't for everyone, if they were then they'd be mass produced and bland. If ever there was a stealth task-force killing great cars then Evo could be it - masquerade as a performance mag then slate any truly performance orientated cars.
Quite why the factory want to provide them an M400 for their track-days is unfathomable. I'd tell them where to work their articles - maybe they'll find "evo" in there if they push hard enough. Peter Wheeler had the right idea - if they can't be helpful then
them To factory - don't listen to the doubter - you're doing fine
PS - I'll still be in to pick up my M400 next week
Scott.
I doubt Evo have any axe to grind against Noble but maybe just speaking as they find? Almost all the reviews I've read in the car mags have commented on the awkward driving position (thought the M400 was meant to improve that!) and bad gearbox for example.
How many people here rate their gearbox?
Interestingly enough, the Noble doesn't translate it's huge power and torque/weight ratio advantage into a significantly faster lap time (0.3sec faster) and where it does, could probably be put mainly down to the softer Corsa spec compound tyre.
Btw, I love the Noble especially as it's all in a compact shape but seems like there's still more to come from it.
How many people here rate their gearbox?
Interestingly enough, the Noble doesn't translate it's huge power and torque/weight ratio advantage into a significantly faster lap time (0.3sec faster) and where it does, could probably be put mainly down to the softer Corsa spec compound tyre.
Btw, I love the Noble especially as it's all in a compact shape but seems like there's still more to come from it.
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