Zenos test drive

[macky17]

On a pretty damp brands hatch Indy circuit yesterday. I bagged a free test drive which the company are currently providing to anyone who asks. It was the E10S - 750kg and 250bhp.

Impressions: Fast and responsive in the way only a really light car can be. Good flexible power delivery. Easy gear change (if a little long in action). Decent steering (unassisted). Chassis feels really balanced with great grip and a pointy front end. Very firm brake pedal which actually feels great after a few minutes to acclimatise. In all, an impressive little car. Mid-engined, turbo charged, no electronic aids: it's basically a wee toy noble with no roof. And there's the 'problem' for me: my 400 feels faster, steers better, looks better, sounds better and (with the diff) handles better too. Not bad for a ten year old car. Having said that, I'd love to drive the 350 bhp R version...

[Acrowe]

macky17 said:

On a pretty damp brands hatch Indy circuit yesterday. I bagged a free test drive which the company are currently providing to anyone who asks. It was the E10S - 750kg and 250bhp.

Impressions: Fast and responsive in the way only a really light car can be. Good flexible power delivery. Easy gear change (if a little long in action). Decent steering (unassisted). Chassis feels really balanced with great grip and a pointy front end. Very firm brake pedal which actually feels great after a few minutes to acclimatise. In all, an impressive little car. Mid-engined, turbo charged, no electronic aids: it's basically a wee toy noble with no roof. And there's the 'problem' for me: my 400 feels faster, steers better, looks better, sounds better and (with the diff) handles better too. Not bad for a ten year old car. Having said that, I'd love to drive the 350 bhp R version...

The Zenos should be cheaper to run as a track car. Agree with your findings, I wouldn't replace the Noble with one but I would have one as well as the Noble. In fact we have got one as well as the Noble.

[mgbond]

Acrowe said:

The Zenos should be cheaper to run as a track car. Agree with your findings, I wouldn't replace the Noble with one but I would have one as well as the Noble. In fact we have got one as well as the Noble.

Pics.

You should bring it along on meets with the Nob

[wole0911]

I drove one last year wasn't that impressed I found you needed arms like Popey to steer it lower speeds and unless you got the brakes nice and hot they were a bit wooden.... but liked the gear change and power delivery but think I will keep my Noble!!

[JayH888]

Be interesting to see what they come out with in a couple years with their next car that will have a roof.

[arabian]

I looked at one a while back and drove the E10 and the E10S, the latter being far better. I also met Richard Meaden of EVO in the north york moors when he was test driving the E10S. he quite liked it as did I but i wouldnt swap if for the Noble. If i could have both i would as the E10 is a different experience and good fun on track, but once you get to the price of an S then you have several other alternatives.

[Acrowe]

mgbond said:

Pics.

You should bring it along on meets with the Nob

Having driven the Noble back from Jetstream at the weekend I can confirm that the Zenos is a lot more comfortable. The offset driving position in the Noble tends to upset my knee these days. I have driven the Zenos for 6 hours (really bad traffic coming back from Norfolk) and felt fine. The 2.5 hour drive back from Jetstream left my knee aching somewhat.

I haven't tried the E10 R yet but I would imagine that with the extra 100BHP it will start to get closer to the performance of the Noble. I still wouldn't swap the Noble for one though.

[macky17]

Acrowe said:

Having driven the Noble back from Jetstream at the weekend I can confirm that the Zenos is a lot more comfortable. The offset driving position in the Noble tends to upset my knee these days. I have driven the Zenos for 6 hours (really bad traffic coming back from Norfolk) and felt fine. The 2.5 hour drive back from Jetstream left my knee aching somewhat.

You need a 400