Discussion
I was up at the factory this morning dropping off my car, and what was sitting there but a brand new bluish/grey Noble with 'M400' on the back.
Not sure if it is really my place to describe it, but seeing as I just had a small peek, I can't see the harm. All I could see different was black anthracite alloys, and extended air ducts along the side, ala the new Clio V6.
I'm sure most of the changes are virtually undetectable from the outside, but it was exciting to have a little look; And it looked very nice indeed!
Sorry if I have stepped on any toes!
Sam
Not sure if it is really my place to describe it, but seeing as I just had a small peek, I can't see the harm. All I could see different was black anthracite alloys, and extended air ducts along the side, ala the new Clio V6.
I'm sure most of the changes are virtually undetectable from the outside, but it was exciting to have a little look; And it looked very nice indeed!
Sorry if I have stepped on any toes!
Sam
V6GTO said:
Sam, if the clam was missing where was M400 written? M.
On the clam on the floor, next to the car! Its written in the usual place. Instead of 'GTO 3R', it's just reads 'M400'.
Edited to say... somehow I have deleted an earlier post. Which said that I didn't see the front, and that the rear clam was off the car at the time.
Continuity is now buggered!!!!!
>> Edited by s3am on Saturday 17th April 19:36
I've been wondering what people think about the M400 naming. I've come to the conclusion that (if this becomes the final production name, and we don't know yet) then it doesn't follow the naming scheme set by Noble to date!
If the new model is an M12 variant then to follow the flow: M12 2.5 (internal name), M12 3 and then M12 3R this one should really be an M12 3Rplus (that's a plus sign - I can't make one here!) or similar. But, if they absolutely must quote the power output then I'd go for 'M12-400'!
Ok, if the 'M400' body is radically different to the M12 then so be it - but we know it won't be so it remains an M12 in my book!
Here endeth my two-penneth worth (well it is Sunday now my children!)!
>> Edited by amg merc on Sunday 18th April 01:09
If the new model is an M12 variant then to follow the flow: M12 2.5 (internal name), M12 3 and then M12 3R this one should really be an M12 3Rplus (that's a plus sign - I can't make one here!) or similar. But, if they absolutely must quote the power output then I'd go for 'M12-400'!
Ok, if the 'M400' body is radically different to the M12 then so be it - but we know it won't be so it remains an M12 in my book!
Here endeth my two-penneth worth (well it is Sunday now my children!)!
>> Edited by amg merc on Sunday 18th April 01:09
I believe M400 creates a dangerous precedent in terms of marketing. Any future car with less power will be hampered with the stigma of being that, ie. less powerful, even though it may be a better car overall. I believe Mercedes have got stuck in a similar rut with their big cars. If Noble choose the power route to market their cars they will lose. So assuming Sam is correct in his observations (the car is basically the same shape as the existing M12) then M14 is not an option. So how about M12 GTO M. Cos I don't know where the M in M400 came from. Or M12 GTO LM. A bit of ambiguity here! (That's always good to get the press talking) LM being Lee's 'M'. Or Le Mans!
Chris.
>> Edited by crb1 on Sunday 18th April 09:28
Chris.
>> Edited by crb1 on Sunday 18th April 09:28
I think you've missed the point.
The M12 series are road cars that are also rather handy on track.
The M400 is a track orientated car that also has goodish manners on a road.
Regardless of looks they therefore are two totally different cars! To that end leaving the M12 moniker in my mind would confuse things.
As already stated by Noble staff on here, the two cars are *very* different. I've seen the M400 mule (and driven it on a track), and people that saw the M12 BritishGT Cup Class car will have a good idea what the M400 has in it, and they bear little relationship to each other in methodology of the drivetrain and suspension.
So - if you want a track focused car (with the obvious compromises that brings when using it a lot on the road) then you go the M400 route.
If you want a road car that you can drive to a track in total comfort and poise and still throw it around a track faster than most things then you go the M12 route.
Personally I think carrying on with ever bigger additions to the M12 name (ala Porsche 911 996TT X50) just gets
!
Oh - final thing - it's their car and so Noble can and I'm sure will call it whatever they want
J
The M12 series are road cars that are also rather handy on track.
The M400 is a track orientated car that also has goodish manners on a road.
Regardless of looks they therefore are two totally different cars! To that end leaving the M12 moniker in my mind would confuse things.
As already stated by Noble staff on here, the two cars are *very* different. I've seen the M400 mule (and driven it on a track), and people that saw the M12 BritishGT Cup Class car will have a good idea what the M400 has in it, and they bear little relationship to each other in methodology of the drivetrain and suspension.
So - if you want a track focused car (with the obvious compromises that brings when using it a lot on the road) then you go the M400 route.
If you want a road car that you can drive to a track in total comfort and poise and still throw it around a track faster than most things then you go the M12 route.
Personally I think carrying on with ever bigger additions to the M12 name (ala Porsche 911 996TT X50) just gets
! Oh - final thing - it's their car and so Noble can and I'm sure will call it whatever they want
J
Far be it for me to challenge one who has Himalayan scale knowledge of the Noble when I'm just starting to climb Pen Y Fan! But, I believe the bodywork shape should determine the initial moniker ie M12. The following letters/digits could differentiate between track focus or roadgoing. This should be marketing led. (I'm not in marketing) Given that the current shape is IMO, fantastic, the benefit of a successful racing M12 will spin directly to a road going version in terms of demand for the car. Therefore the link in naming terms needs to be strong even though the two may be significantly different on the engineering side. The goodwill created by racing should be harnessed, not thrown away. To quote one example, yep.. the 911. Which, IMO, is the car that will ultimately suffer as a result of the success of the Noble.
>> Edited by crb1 on Sunday 18th April 12:00
>> Edited by crb1 on Sunday 18th April 12:00
joust said:
Oh - final thing - it's their car and so Noble can and I'm sure will call it whatever they want :J
Absolutely correct Justin, and as customers we can spend our money on exactly what WE want! FYI, don't forget that the customer is ALWAYS king and not the supplier/manufacturer!
And hey, what was the R in 3R meant to be - 'Racing' I thought (or is it Rob!): doesn't this blow your logic out of the water?! :-)
Nah, I need more convincing that the M400 is not an M12 bolt-on!
>> Edited by amg merc on Sunday 18th April 15:34
interesting idea.... Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff