Where do Noble go next???

[crb1]

The M12 has (or will have soon) 5 derivatives to date,
2.5, 3.0, 3R, M400 & GTC. Although they are (2.5 excepted) still early in their lifecycle what do Noble do next?

Continue to extract more performance from the Duratec?
Use Ford to source other more powerful engines?
Source engines from a new supplier?
Build their own engine?
Design a new body shape altogether?
Build a £30000 mini Noble.
Or do what everyone else does and build a 4 X 4?

Lots to think about there.
Chris.

[JonRB]

I think they should do what TVR seemingly cannot these days - consolidate their current range and concentrate on honing and refining it.

However, I fear that Noble are working to the same SVA workaround that TVR are - keep bringing out "new" models so that the build numbers for any one model do not exceed the maximum for SVA and hence avoid the expensive necessity of full Type Approval, crash tests, etc.

I'm happy to be corrected if the Noble is fully Type Approved, but I suspect it is not.

[joust]

JonRB said:

However, I fear that Noble are working to the same SVA workaround that TVR are - keep bringing out "new" models so that the build numbers for any one model do not exceed the maximum for SVA and hence avoid the expensive necessity of full Type Approval, crash tests, etc.

SVA test limits were abolished around 2 years ago...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=90376&f=26&h=0&hw=sva

Consequently the need for new models is more about a business plan that works rather than trying to get around any legislation.

J

[JonRB]

joust said:

SVA test limits were abolished around 2 years ago.

Ah. Sorry about that. I guess that information must have failed to lodge in my mind.

In that case, my original post stands - I think they should consolidate the excellent models that they have and put all their efforts into honing and improving them, ironing out niggles and QA issues, etc.

It would be fantastic if TVR did likewise, but I know PW is addicted to bringing out new models.

[DanH]

I imagine they do it to keep the press coverage flowing. Still I'm not sure who needs more power than the M400, so fixing up the styling & interior might be whats needed to bring more owners into the fold?

[obes]

Racing I recon, build on the strength of the great start in the GT. Le Mans perhaps, or maybe even F1...... (if they get an anonymous deposit of several million pounds!!!) Surely there's nothing better for brining on the 'credibility' and recognition of a marque than some race success.

[MisterX]

Thought the 2.5 had ceased production? No doubt the 3 will eventually be 'discontinued' and effectively replaced by the 3R. Isn't this just a natural progression? If Noble's cars derivatives are made in 'series rather than parallel' surely there won't be more than 2 or 3 options at any given time. Far easier to support and far more economical for the factory than to have a huge range.

[DanH]

obes said:

Racing I recon, build on the strength of the great start in the GT. Le Mans perhaps, or maybe even F1...... (if they get an anonymous deposit of several million pounds!!!) Surely there's nothing better for brining on the 'credibility' and recognition of a marque than some race success.

There's also few better ways of burning through a large pile of cash for what at best may be very indirect returns. From what I can gather Lee has no racing aspirations for the cars whatsoever. Sounds like a good way of ensuring the marque is still around in 10 years!

[crb1]

No racing aspirations???? That cos its costly. But if enough businesses pledge sponsorship (like the 'Racing for Holland' Dome at Le Mans,) they could do it. I for one have told Noble what I would put up. I stand by that pledge.
Chris.

[daftlad]

Build their own engine? Have they the got the financial stability to go that route??

[obes]

I'm not sure building their own engines from scratch has that much going for it. When you look at the rest of the motor industry there's engine sharing all over the place. Everybody seems to be owned by someone else these days !!

Theres so many good..nay great engines now. Take Audi for example. I read that the normally aspirated 4.2 V8 in the new S4 is both smaller and lighter than the 2.7 bi-turbo in the previous model....and has 100bhp more than its predecessor(366BHP over 265BHP before). Hmmm, fetch me an S4, B.A. Baracus and a welding kit!

Anyway, back to the point! With all these engines about, Noble have got a huge amount of flexibility with any future models. No matter how thay replace the M12 there will be an engine to fit it.

[LaurenceFrost]

And as far as the M12's engine goes, it comes back to an old saying:

If it ain't broken, don't fix it!