When is the Noble coming to the USA ???

[hugh09876]

I was just windering when the Noble will be in the US and does anyone have info on how much one is going to cost ?

[guysh]

Last time I spoke to Lee Noble he metioned this and his coment at the time was it was not - it's too expensive to fedralise the car and would ruin it's spec etc. Although he will gladly sell one to anyone and even make a left hooker but it will not pass US regs. Lotus are still trying to do this with the Elise - in my opinion it will not do them any favours.

Guy

[ErnestM]

Guy...

Out of curiosity, do you know which regs it won't pass? Emissions or Crash?

Emissions shouldn't be too hard to overcome as the engine is a derivative of the FOrd duratech. Crash would be harder...

ErnestM

[goodlife]

ErnestM said:
Out of curiosity, do you know which regs it won't pass? Emissions or Crash?

It would probably pass both. The issue for Noble (and TVR, etc) is the £2m+ outlay to obtain certification. The ROI just doesn't stack up right now. Bugger is that US regs mean you must certify to Model/Year, so next years models require additional certification...

What a nightmare to smash a shedfull of M12's to pieces, just to be able to sell them!

[ErnestM]

Noble needs to look at getting a variance a la the one that Lotus used to get for the Esprit before becoming a "volume manufacturer" (the Elise/VX220 threw them over the top of the vehicle per year limit I believe)

ErnestM

[guysh]

Yes I think the sheer cost of it is what put's Noble off, and also the likes of TVR. I really can't see lotus selling lots of Elises over your side of the pond but I willing to be proved wrong...

[guysh]

guysh said: Yes I think the sheer cost of it is what put's Noble off, and also the likes of TVR. I really can't see lotus selling lots of Elises over your side of the pond but I willing to be proved wrong...

Having said that another reason for Noble not doing this is that they would have to go through a large expansion and I don't they think this is a good idea. This would put them firmly in competion with the likes of Porche etc. which unfortunatly would be a disaster for Noble...

Any can't you import the car in bits and call it a Kit car??? and then just have someone drop the engine in etc...?

[ErnestM]

Yes you can import one as a kit but that in itsself is a pain. Plus, I would like a Noble dealer or two that I can take the car to for service.

Actually, with the current lack of offerings in the sportscars market, the Elise should sell like hotcakes, especially if they drop the 2.2 litre GM engine that they are talking about now.

I personally think Noble, with the right plan, could run circles around Porsche.

ErnestM