Targa

Author
Discussion

dmaci38293

Original Poster:

224 posts

249 months

Thursday 12th February 2004
quotequote all
Are there any plans for a Targa version? I.e current Gto 3r shape but with a removable roof section - much like a vx220 or similar?

I know there is the GTC, but I personally prefer the shape and lines of the GTO 3R!

Also on the M400 front, will there be a posibility of having this engine in the current 3r? as in triming and comfort levels of the 3r but with almost m400 performance?

Thanks

Duncan

stuh

2,557 posts

280 months

Thursday 12th February 2004
quotequote all
By all accounts the GTC will look considerably different in it's final guise, to the concept shown at last years motorshow.

Can't wait to see it

dmaci38293

Original Poster:

224 posts

249 months

Thursday 12th February 2004
quotequote all
Thanks Stu,

I shall have to wait to the motor show then!

3rtt

943 posts

259 months

Thursday 12th February 2004
quotequote all
dmaci38293 said:
Are there any plans for a Targa version? I.e current Gto 3r shape but with a removable roof section - much like a vx220 or similar?

I know there is the GTC, but I personally prefer the shape and lines of the GTO 3R!

Also on the M400 front, will there be a posibility of having this engine in the current 3r? as in triming and comfort levels of the 3r but with almost m400 performance?

Thanks

Duncan


Now there's an idea

Duncan, if you are serious, speak with the factory, they can be very accommodating.

Cheers,
Ian.

ashp

222 posts

265 months

Friday 13th February 2004
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didnt i hear that the factory was going to offer a power upgrade for the 3R not to 400, but maybe 385bhp ?

micknall

826 posts

256 months

Friday 13th February 2004
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As mentioned before, we have no current plans to offer upgrades at the moment. Please bear in mind, that we're a small company and we are putting all our development efforts into evolving the M12 range, rather than simply making existing cars go faster. I trust that current owners will understand this and support us.

fourhundredbhp

18 posts

251 months

Monday 16th February 2004
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That's all well and good, but you've just started to upgrade 2.5's so why not 3's?, especialy if they are being requested pre-build.

LaurenceFrost

691 posts

259 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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fourhundredbhp said:
That's all well and good, but you've just started to upgrade 2.5's so why not 3's?, especialy if they are being requested pre-build.

It's really not that easy. Noble cannot just say, "OK as from today we're offering a boost kit to upgrade all 3's and 3R's giving 1.2 bar of boost."

Noble would have to extensively test such an upgrade to ensure it is suitable and reliable etc. or they could actually LOOSE a great deal of money over it.

Noble's time and research is clearly going into the M400 and the GTC at the minute so I guess we'll all have to be patient.

fourhundredbhp

18 posts

251 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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LW - Lee Noble has been running M400 GTO at about 385 bhp for over a year and 15k miles, and about 420/430 bhp for the last 6 months in the same car. It has been comprehensively thrashed on circuits by BTCC driver Phil Benett and GT driver Martin Short and, as far as I know it has'nt missed a beat. I think it's we were offered the 385 at least.

3rtt

943 posts

259 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
quotequote all
fourhundredbhp said:
LW - Lee Noble has been running M400 GTO at about 385 bhp for over a year and 15k miles, and about 420/430 bhp for the last 6 months in the same car. It has been comprehensively thrashed on circuits by BTCC driver Phil Benett and GT driver Martin Short and, as far as I know it has'nt missed a beat. I think it's we were offered the 385 at least.


Seriously, Lee and the Team are developing many, many parts of the car, not just engine development.

It may be frustrating to you, and to understand. However, you have to remember that Lee has built his business and brand (marque) on a very solid foundation of performance and reliability. He will NOT release any modifications until he is happy they will work.

As frustrating as it seems at times, I applaud that stance. I'm sure this will take Lee and his company forward for a long, solid future.

Cheers,
Ian.


fourhundredbhp

18 posts

251 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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Ian, I hear what you're saying but, at Rocky he told me, and I quote " that engine's bullet proof at at 385" and went on to say he saw no problem with running a 400bhp car. That was last October. He sounded like he was happy with it then so what has changed? Martin.

3rtt

943 posts

259 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
quotequote all
fourhundredbhp said:
Ian, I hear what you're saying but, at Rocky he told me, and I quote " that engine's bullet proof at at 385" and went on to say he saw no problem with running a 400bhp car. That was last October. He sounded like he was happy with it then so what has changed? Martin.


Martin, I cannot quote for Lee, but from experience I know if he is not fully happy with a development, Lee will not release it on customers cars. I can only suggest being patient. It will be worth waiting.

I, like many had to wait over 12 months before delivery of my 3R.

Cheers,
Ian.

fourhundredbhp

18 posts

251 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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I can sympathise with you there mate, I put my first cheque on the table at the begining of July 2003 and will not be getting the car 'till July/August! I must say now that the delay is mine and not with Noble, I'm nearing the end of a big insurance claim and can't start the build untill the money is in my grubby mits. Still, it gives me a little more time to work on the upgrade, ha ha, I hope I can bend Lee's ear tomorrow when I go up for my first factory visit. Thanks for the interest and information, Martin. (V6 GTO)

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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What a difference a day makes!
(changed my log-in name from fourhundredbhp to V6GTO which is my nunberplate)
Went to the factory today and had a few minutes with Lee, but a big thanks to Stuart for putting up with me. I do'nt know how you put up with me for a whole hour before starting to steer me towards the door!
OK - upgrade....I am of a totaly different opinion now to the one I had yesterday.The 2.5 was relatively quick & easy to give a little boost ( and after a little taste of Justins I would reccomend it ) But the 3 is a different kettle of fish,and if you start taking engines out to mod them you are loosing a huge amount of resources that could be put to better use i.e. - building our cars! I'm sorry if people think I was stirring up trouble, I was not. I'm just a typical bloke, I want it all and I want it now! After having the broader picture explained to me it all makes sense. Several times I've had jitters about buying a Noble, after all they aint cheap, but every time I have either the factory or an owner ( thanks Andrew ) has put my mind at rest. I am totally at peace with my choice of car. They aint cheap but they are the best car in the world under £100,000 and I can only think of two cars I'd prefer. Pagani Zonda @ £350k and a Keonigseg @£400k.
July is so far away!
Martin.

stuh

2,557 posts

280 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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Hello again Martin

Glad you had a good tour. They always make people very welcome in my experience. My better half had her first visit to the factory last Friday and she really enjoyed it.

I think my wait for the GTC is going to be almost as painful as your wait for your 3R when the first sunny driving days start cropping up in the coming weeks!

Although luckily my newly upgraded 2.5 is a revelation and continues to amaze in the quantum leap in drivability and performance the extra bhp and torque provide

Stu

amg merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
quotequote all
V6GTO said:
(changed my log-in name from fourhundredbhp to V6GTO which is my nunberplate) Martin.


Martin, does this mean I need to change my name to V60 GTO?!

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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Rob, this is a case of nothing ( 0 ) is too much. Still, V6 GTO might be up for sale soon after todays press release by Noble.

sidekick

266 posts

258 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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V6GTO said:
Rob, this is a case of nothing ( 0 ) is too much. Still, V6 GTO might be up for sale soon after todays press release by Noble.


What press release - spill the beans!

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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I'm know I'm a tease but....

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
quotequote all
if you ask your dealer he'll tell you !