New issue of Evo...
Discussion
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DanH said:
Terrible article imho!
Agreed. And EVO used to be complete Porschephiles (I actually think they are great cars as well, but the world is a slightly bigger place with some other great cars in it as well ) and now it seems they can't even drive a GT3RS.
As for the Noble.. praise for dynamics and performance seemed almost grudging (and inconsistent, going from "deftness and poise with aggression and searing speed” to "almost toy-like" in less time than it takes to draw breath. But still they just cannot get rid of their old prejudices. Space - sure it dosn't have a boot; get over it! There is an engine there instead. If I can get full camping gear and 5 days worth of clobber for 2 blokes stuffed behind the seats with nothing in the front footwells then I'm sure poor old Mr Meaden should be able to get his toothbrush in there without bad-temperedly having to sling it on the passengers seat. Yes, Mr Meaden sometimes you have to move the seat forward - this is the alternative to having to open a boot. As for the lack of gaudy M400 side-graphics – it was made out that they were kinda lucky not to have them, rather than knowing that these never went onto a single production car (afaik).
And as for the looks being ‘anonymous’ – well that just beggars belief. Yesterday I had an F40 actually stop at the bottom of my drive to gawp at the Noble (and yes, I too was gawping at the F40 – what a beautiful machine)
The article just confirmed in my own mind why I cancelled my subscription to EVO
Funny, I canceled my subscription because I got bored with reading Zonda vs BMW mini and BMW 6 series vs Renault Megan, or some other such tripe.
I thought I'd dig up the first article they wrote about the M12, and it was in a shoot out between the old Lotus espirit, and the original M12. They praised the M12, and said what a fab car it was, then chose the Lotus.
I think the problem EVO has with the M12 is that it is like the guy who comes to a party, dressed like a bit of a tramp, but manages to pull the nicest girl. Everybody 'knows' he's got it. But to actually say it .... well it's just not done.
Now, when the M14 comes along, I think they just have to admit it .... :-)
--Jools
I think Noble owners feel very protective towards their cars and the Noble Marque. I also believe that just about everyone who reads the article are intelligent enough to see through what the journalist are trying to say, and their bias.
Just look at the long history of Porsche, Lotus and the Corvette, and by comparison how long the New Kid on the block has challenged these established names and brands. Just imagine what these established manufacturers are thinking of Noble?
I have worked with journalists for many years in broadcasting (If you want a really good laugh take a look at the presenters page on www.radiotees.co.uk/DJs.htm ) and know what makes them tick. So does Simon. If you think that (some) car journalists are bad, in the bike business (mountain bike) we have one magazine whos journalists openly admit they know better than all the manufacturers!!!! How mad is that?
Cheers,
Ian.
Just look at the long history of Porsche, Lotus and the Corvette, and by comparison how long the New Kid on the block has challenged these established names and brands. Just imagine what these established manufacturers are thinking of Noble?
I have worked with journalists for many years in broadcasting (If you want a really good laugh take a look at the presenters page on www.radiotees.co.uk/DJs.htm ) and know what makes them tick. So does Simon. If you think that (some) car journalists are bad, in the bike business (mountain bike) we have one magazine whos journalists openly admit they know better than all the manufacturers!!!! How mad is that?
Cheers,
Ian.
I've been a subscriber to Evo from the 1st issue and I am also amazed at how they seem to change there opinions on the Noble , as the M400 is the reigning EVO road and track car of the year how can they then give it just **** 1/2 ! (ridiculous) the group test was also with a Porsche that is 30k more expensive !!
Shoot me down in flames, but I quite enjoyed reading it.
I'm sure the fact it was cold, and the weather wasn't exactly good, that lead to some of the conclusions. Sure, I don't agree with half of what they wrote, but does that make it a 'bad' article?
Just because someone else found different to you doesn't mean they are wrong, it just means that they don't feel the same way we feel about the cars. For me some of the descriptions were well done, with good 'placement' of their emotions through their use of English.
J
I'm sure the fact it was cold, and the weather wasn't exactly good, that lead to some of the conclusions. Sure, I don't agree with half of what they wrote, but does that make it a 'bad' article?
Just because someone else found different to you doesn't mean they are wrong, it just means that they don't feel the same way we feel about the cars. For me some of the descriptions were well done, with good 'placement' of their emotions through their use of English.
J
You really have to put this in perspective. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, British motor mags are among the best in the world - why do you think that publications like Autocar, Evo, Car and Top Gear are syndicated globally? Do you see UK versions of Wheels, Motor, Road & Track or Car & Driver in your local WHS, despite the fact they're all written in English?
Each of the top five UK car mags has a different remit, and therefore it's not uncommon to find differing views about the same car (remember how the Focus RS famously polarised opinion in Evo and Autocar?). Put bluntly, most people have fixed views on cars and their choice of reading material will tend to be in line with their bias. Yes, Evo has a style of its own, so if you don't like it, read something else. It's a poor analogy, but it's a bit like picking up the Guardian each day if you're a staunch Conservative!
Whether you agree, or disagree with what's reported in the motoring press, seasoned journalists like Richard Meaden will have driven pretty much every performance car on the UK market. And even if you do think he has a hidden agenda, that experience counts for a lot.
On the subject of Noble, I thought it was a fair and balanced piece. I've been vocal about factual errors made in Evo before (they've even published my complaints) but this test, I felt, gave a fair appraisal of the M400.
And 'only' a four-and-a-half-star car? A bit churlish, I would have thought...
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
Each of the top five UK car mags has a different remit, and therefore it's not uncommon to find differing views about the same car (remember how the Focus RS famously polarised opinion in Evo and Autocar?). Put bluntly, most people have fixed views on cars and their choice of reading material will tend to be in line with their bias. Yes, Evo has a style of its own, so if you don't like it, read something else. It's a poor analogy, but it's a bit like picking up the Guardian each day if you're a staunch Conservative!
Whether you agree, or disagree with what's reported in the motoring press, seasoned journalists like Richard Meaden will have driven pretty much every performance car on the UK market. And even if you do think he has a hidden agenda, that experience counts for a lot.
On the subject of Noble, I thought it was a fair and balanced piece. I've been vocal about factual errors made in Evo before (they've even published my complaints) but this test, I felt, gave a fair appraisal of the M400.
And 'only' a four-and-a-half-star car? A bit churlish, I would have thought...
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
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