Future Noble owner (USA)
Discussion
I have been following the Noble ever since I read about it in EVO a few years back. Finally got to see one up close in the USA last May. Too bad I already have a Viper GTS (love it). I have for the most part decided to get a Noble as my next performance car through 1gracing within the next 18 months or so.
I have few questions:
I hear of a potential track day special variant called the R400. Anyone clarify details on this?
Also, anyone on the board here from the USA that I could speak to regarding their experience? I figure there are less than 2 dozen in the states. With all the positive write up, especially now in US car mags, the Noble will get ever more popular here.
I have few questions:
I hear of a potential track day special variant called the R400. Anyone clarify details on this?
Also, anyone on the board here from the USA that I could speak to regarding their experience? I figure there are less than 2 dozen in the states. With all the positive write up, especially now in US car mags, the Noble will get ever more popular here.
Jon7 said:
I have been following the Noble ever since I read about it in EVO a few years back. Finally got to see one up close in the USA last May. Too bad I already have a Viper GTS (love it). I have for the most part decided to get a Noble as my next performance car through 1gracing within the next 18 months or so.
I have few questions:
I hear of a potential track day special variant called the R400. Anyone clarify details on this?
Also, anyone on the board here from the USA that I could speak to regarding their experience? I figure there are less than 2 dozen in the states. With all the positive write up, especially now in US car mags, the Noble will get ever more popular here.
The factorys test mule is known as M400 - they are developing some exciting stuff - there are a few american owners on the noble owners club mailing list so join that and ask the question.
www.nobleownersclub.net
Cheers
Jon,
The trackday focused Noble has recently been announced in UK magazines - it's internally called the M400. See this thread with comments from micknall who works at the factory.
There are some US owners here, but you are more likely to link up with them by posting on the owner club site at www.nobleownersclub.net. There definately one in Florida.
Just ditch the Viper and get one now... they are amazing to drive - I now use mine as the main everyday car.
The trackday focused Noble has recently been announced in UK magazines - it's internally called the M400. See this thread with comments from micknall who works at the factory.
There are some US owners here, but you are more likely to link up with them by posting on the owner club site at www.nobleownersclub.net. There definately one in Florida.
Just ditch the Viper and get one now... they are amazing to drive - I now use mine as the main everyday car.
Regarding the R400:
According to Feb 2004 issue of CAR magazine:
400 bhp Brits square up
TVR and Noble will go head-to-head when they unleash 400hp blasters aimed at the well-heeled trackday enthusiast. The stripped-down, powered-up TVR Sagaris and Noble R400 go on sale this spring.
The hardcore Noble R400 is powered by a heavily revised version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from the standard GTO model.
Combine a peak power output expected to be at least 400bhp with a sub-1000kg kerb weight and the luxury-free R400 should have a 0-100 mph time of just over 8.0 sec - half a second quicker than the GTO's.
The R400 will also have stiffer suspension, which should make it Noble's sharpest track too to date.
Available from April, the R400 is expected to be priced around 60000 pounds and will come fitted with full roll cage and fire extinguishers for track day use.
Rest of the article is on the Sagaris.
According to Feb 2004 issue of CAR magazine:
400 bhp Brits square up
TVR and Noble will go head-to-head when they unleash 400hp blasters aimed at the well-heeled trackday enthusiast. The stripped-down, powered-up TVR Sagaris and Noble R400 go on sale this spring.
The hardcore Noble R400 is powered by a heavily revised version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from the standard GTO model.
Combine a peak power output expected to be at least 400bhp with a sub-1000kg kerb weight and the luxury-free R400 should have a 0-100 mph time of just over 8.0 sec - half a second quicker than the GTO's.
The R400 will also have stiffer suspension, which should make it Noble's sharpest track too to date.
Available from April, the R400 is expected to be priced around 60000 pounds and will come fitted with full roll cage and fire extinguishers for track day use.
Rest of the article is on the Sagaris.
Jon,
Think the guys here have told you as much as I can about the M400 (the development car's code name)at the moment. We are still developing the car with a view to it being released in time for the British Motor Show, this May. However, I would stress that it will be very much a track racer, with few concessions to road comfort (though it will be road legal). If you've never driven a Noble before, I'd suggest you get a test drive of the current 3R with 1g in Ohio. It's still a great car on a track, but it's more refined than the 'M400' will ever be.
E-mail me if you want me to set up a drive for you!
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
Think the guys here have told you as much as I can about the M400 (the development car's code name)at the moment. We are still developing the car with a view to it being released in time for the British Motor Show, this May. However, I would stress that it will be very much a track racer, with few concessions to road comfort (though it will be road legal). If you've never driven a Noble before, I'd suggest you get a test drive of the current 3R with 1g in Ohio. It's still a great car on a track, but it's more refined than the 'M400' will ever be.
E-mail me if you want me to set up a drive for you!
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
Jon7,
I too am in the U.S. and have indeed did the test drive at 1G Racing in Ohio, www.1gracing.com , 1-866-612-6625. Both Ron and Dean are great people to deal with, they are very easy going and know the product very well. But the test drive is were it is at and I am sure that you will not be disappointed! It fact I am sure you will be amazed! The car is everything you heard it was. The best thing you can do is to visit 1G Racing for yourself. I saw the car at a local show and went for the test drive and put down a deposit on the car which will be due spring/summer. Tell them you spoke to me(Jeremy Eisenhut), as I keep in contact from time to time.
I too am in the U.S. and have indeed did the test drive at 1G Racing in Ohio, www.1gracing.com , 1-866-612-6625. Both Ron and Dean are great people to deal with, they are very easy going and know the product very well. But the test drive is were it is at and I am sure that you will not be disappointed! It fact I am sure you will be amazed! The car is everything you heard it was. The best thing you can do is to visit 1G Racing for yourself. I saw the car at a local show and went for the test drive and put down a deposit on the car which will be due spring/summer. Tell them you spoke to me(Jeremy Eisenhut), as I keep in contact from time to time.
I took a test drive in November and still cannot get the car out of my head. Unfortunately, there is no way I could justify $73,000 for the car. However, I have a 911 that I would gladly trade for a Noble. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll buy one or I hope 1G sells 50-100 cars over the next few years and then there will be a secondary market.
Actually, the rolling chassis price has risen to $56,700 based on the recent exchange rates for the US Dollar(which are pretty bad right now). This price is only the base price and does not include leather, air conditioning, metallic paint, start button, immobilizer/alarm system, or CD stereo. You then have to pay $14,0000 for the various parts associated with the drivetrain to be installed, not to mention labor for someone to do the work! I think this brings the prices quite a bit closer together despite the differences in currency used for purchase. For a better idea of pricing visit www.1gracing.com or give Dean Rosen of 1G Racing a call at 1-866-612-6625.
Jon,
I just purchased mine from 1G(car #021) and am in the process of having the engine/tranny installed. This is the second car I've purchased from Dean. The first was a Superformance Cobra. I have had nothing but great luck with Dean and his company. If you are at all interested in the Noble and want one by summer, I'd suggest you take a test drive sooner rather than later. They are selling very well here.
I also was interested in the track day car. However, I'm not sure the M400 is needed. You will be amazed at the performance and unless you are an SCCA experienced driver, you may not need the extra HP.(OK... an amazing comment from an American!). I believe the car is as fast and will handle better than the Viper. Additionally, there are several guys already increasing the HP here.
I just purchased mine from 1G(car #021) and am in the process of having the engine/tranny installed. This is the second car I've purchased from Dean. The first was a Superformance Cobra. I have had nothing but great luck with Dean and his company. If you are at all interested in the Noble and want one by summer, I'd suggest you take a test drive sooner rather than later. They are selling very well here.
I also was interested in the track day car. However, I'm not sure the M400 is needed. You will be amazed at the performance and unless you are an SCCA experienced driver, you may not need the extra HP.(OK... an amazing comment from an American!). I believe the car is as fast and will handle better than the Viper. Additionally, there are several guys already increasing the HP here.
Sorry - I stand corrected about the price of the rolling chassis. Got my dollars and pounds mixed up.
NobleYank,
You're quite right about the standard 3R being an exceptionally fast car. However, the M400 is being developed more with track use in mind. While the 3R has torque and power characteristics that are perfect for road use, the M400's power will be produced higher up in the rev-range, so that it will hit 7k usefully in each gear; the 3R is best up to about 6k, but produces its torque a lot earlier.
We have also modified the M12's chassis for the first time, so that it is tighter and more composed when driven on a track. I know that the standard car is excellent when tracked, but there is a good deal of compliance built into its chassis to make it supple and comfortable on the road. This has given us a great deal of scope with making a harder-edged circuit car.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
00 44 (0)1455 844 052
NobleYank,
You're quite right about the standard 3R being an exceptionally fast car. However, the M400 is being developed more with track use in mind. While the 3R has torque and power characteristics that are perfect for road use, the M400's power will be produced higher up in the rev-range, so that it will hit 7k usefully in each gear; the 3R is best up to about 6k, but produces its torque a lot earlier.
We have also modified the M12's chassis for the first time, so that it is tighter and more composed when driven on a track. I know that the standard car is excellent when tracked, but there is a good deal of compliance built into its chassis to make it supple and comfortable on the road. This has given us a great deal of scope with making a harder-edged circuit car.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
00 44 (0)1455 844 052
I can vouch for the engine changes - the current engine feels as if it's giving up after around 6k, but the M400 mule I drove just "kept on going". With the 1500rpm or so drop between gears on the 6 speeder keeping it singing will be very easy.
Scarily large the difference between the M400 and a normal car on the track...
J
Scarily large the difference between the M400 and a normal car on the track...
J
micknall said:
Sorry - I stand corrected about the price of the rolling chassis. Got my dollars and pounds mixed up.
NobleYank,
You're quite right about the standard 3R being an exceptionally fast car. However, the M400 is being developed more with track use in mind. While the 3R has torque and power characteristics that are perfect for road use, the M400's power will be produced higher up in the rev-range, so that it will hit 7k usefully in each gear; the 3R is best up to about 6k, but produces its torque a lot earlier.
We have also modified the M12's chassis for the first time, so that it is tighter and more composed when driven on a track. I know that the standard car is excellent when tracked, but there is a good deal of compliance built into its chassis to make it supple and comfortable on the road. This has given us a great deal of scope with making a harder-edged circuit car.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
00 44 (0)1455 844 052
Simon, are they changes to the chassis rigidity or to springsdampers ushes etc?
We've never had any issue with the rigidity of the car, to be honest. The spaceframe we use is exceptionally stiff, as I'm sure anyone who's driven a Noble will testify to. As far as damper and spring settings are concerned, we are currently testing different set ups to see how we can improve on the standard car, though this may well be at the expense of road comfort. But then, the M400 will be a wholehearted track animal. Think GT3 RS compared to a 996 Turbo and you'll get the picture...
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