Birth of the Noble M15
PetrolTed checks out Noble's new 911-bashing supercar and leaves impressed
Noble M15
Lee Noble’s come a long way in a few years. Not that you could tell when you meet him. Face mask on, covered head to toe in glass fibre dust, he’s as hands on now as he’s always been, despite his name now adorning cars that are the product of a multi-million pound business.
Achievement
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A visit to see the new M15 brought home to me just how much Lee has achieved in such a short time. As the dust cover was lifted from the new £75,000 supercar, there were little clues all around that this is marque now respected by component manufacturers the world over.
No longer does Noble have to find parts to fit their cars from the catalogues of the big name suppliers. Instead, the likes of AP Racing, Pirelli, Sparco and Graziano are all eager to be involved in Noble’s projects from the off, and more than happy to build components to match Lee’s requirements.
The fact that Noble is launching a car costing £75K can’t go without comment. In recent years we’ve seen a number of fledgling companies attempt to enter this sector with little success. It’s a hugely bold move after all. Companies with no heritage will always struggle to compete with the household names of the supercar world. The Porsches and Ferraris of this world have much experience to draw upon and anyone new to the party has a lot of work to do to gain credibility in their company.
Noble has now tipped the balance though. With the M12 and M400 they achieved worldwide success and such enormous credibility for the marque that they can now enter this sector of the market with authority and - an albeit short, but respected - heritage.
Shock of the M15
The M15 came as a shock to most of us who were expecting a slightly refined M14 – the car which debuted at the 2004 British Motor Show. That car, based heavily on the M12 chassis was put on ice whilst Noble dabbled with other projects and by the time Lee returned to it, his thinking had changed considerably.
Lee thought he could do better than the M14 and heavily influenced by his experiences racing an M400, he set about making some fundamental changes to the underlying design.
The engine was turned through 90 degrees resulting in a longitudinal setup. Bolted into a much, much stiffer chassis, this setup allowed a spacious install. Peering under the rear hood reveals the twin-turboed V6 sitting in a cavernous engine bay – easing cooling, easing maintenance and allowing the rear mounted gearbox (courtesy of Graziano).
Noble has developed the V6 (Ford block, Noble components), to produce a staggering 455bhp and an equally impressive 455 lb-ft of torque. They reckon there’s more in it yet, but with one eye on federalisation, they’re trying to keep things a bit 'sensible'...
This configuration also allows a reasonable (for a sports car) sized boot at the back of the car which would take a medium sized suitcase at a push. There’s also space at the front for some more soft bags resulting in a Noble that at last is capable of touring.
Moving to the cabin we reach one of the more controversial areas of the car.
Dropping yourself into the cabin, the first thing that hits you is the beautiful smell. The leather clad Sparco seats and leather clad cabin have such a strong aroma. Suddenly it feels a lot more special than it looks.
There’s certainly scope to improve the style of the interior which is marred by some nasty air vents and a fat steering wheel. Safety considerations heavily influenced what components were used within the cabin, but hopefully before the car goes into production the aesthetics of the cabin can be put on a par with the aroma!
External styling
The photos used at launch certainly gave us an accurate view of what the car looks at, but as with any studio shots what they fail to convey is the impact this car has in the real world.
While many of us will sit at our keyboards and argue about the rear lights or the shape of the gearstick, it’s not until we see one of these cars roar past us on the motorway or see one parked amongst the other exotica at the ‘Ring or in Monaco that the true impact and sense of occasion will come to bear.
It’s a large car with dramatic lines, which I believe will appear even more dramatic in the real world. The genuine exclusivity of this car will also make it a talking point wherever it goes.
Interior aside, Noble should have no problem justifying that hefty price tag – it’s a testament to Lee Noble that we all simply accept that the car will ride and handle exquisitely. Coupled with those looks and that power, we’ve just witnessed a significant milestone in British – nay, world - motoring history.
I was wondering what was changed...but indeed the engine is now longitudinal, much better looks this way I think(stil not a V6 fan but hey, its a bit better now!)
Hope to see it on the Ring soon or on the streets to get a good look in the Flesh.
Some pictures look ok some hm...so have to see it to draw my conclusion...if only that price tag was around 40,000gbp 75K for guys like me, and cars like that to much!
GTRene
From what I was told the steering wheel is indeed part of the requirement to get it type approved - so that won't stop us owners changing it once we have the car if required.
J
joust said:
Good write up Ted. The smell is pretty good isn't it - I got back into it yesterday and had forgotten that lovely whiff of leather!
From what I was told the steering wheel is indeed part of the requirement to get it type approved - so that won't stop us owners changing it once we have the car if required.
J
The sterring wheel feels like it's out of the ford parts bin - surely it will get better than that...
gizard said:When I spoke to them the issue they were having was MOMO aftermarket wheels aren't type approved, and so they had to change to make the car 'world compatible'.
The sterring wheel feels like it's out of the ford parts bin - surely it will get better than that...
I think it's the need for specified padding etc. that means you need something that 'padded' (certainly it has a certain 'US' feel about it) - so I'm not sure if it will or won't stay.
Although not sure I really mind what the wheel looks like as long as it feels good. It was the reason I changed from the MOMO to the Richbrook on the M400, despite the Richbrook being half the price - the grips are much nicer on the Richbrook and work better for me on track - although arguably it isn't as "nice" looking.
I tried to make brrmm brrrm noises when in the cabin of the M15, but it wasn't really replicating the sensation of moving, so I've no idea really what it feels like.
J
DanH said:Cop out maybe, but heck, if you want an "engineered" steering wheel then clearly you must be a Porsche prospect
That steering wheel argument is a cop out, there are pleny of airbag wheels that aren't a) ugly b) lifted from a mk1 focus...
DanH said:SHOCK HORROR! Thinking of one Dan? (You should get and see it in the flesh my friend).
Having said that pics of the car in Car magazine are far more flattering than those in Evo, and the looks have grown on me
J
joust said:
That steering wheel argument is a cop out, there are pleny of airbag wheels that aren't a) ugly b) lifted from a mk1 focus...DanH said:SHOCK HORROR! Thinking of one Dan? (You should get and see it in the flesh my friend).
Having said that pics of the car in Car magazine are far more flattering than those in Evo, and the looks have grown on me
Can't see myself going for one, but I shall watch you brave pioneers from afar!
In all honesty, if I wanted a car I didn't intend to track I'd probably go for a gallardo given I don't need everyday wheels and that lambo thing has to be done at some point!
joust said:
The sterring wheel feels like it's out of the ford parts bin - surely it will get better than that...
J
What about the MOMO used in the VX220? Surely that would be an improvement? :-/
JJ
). Interior is quite spartan which I think is the preferred norm for Nobles - but well thought layout and stylish. Seats incredibly supportive and comfortable. Tyres appear to ride very close to the arches - front clearance reasonable and certainly does not appear excessively low re concerns over grounding. Surprises - what appeared to be elements of aluminium on the dash seemed to feel more like plastic (could be my error however). Pretty minor point, and may be wide of the mark.
joust said:
Hmmn. AT £75k I can't see it flying out of the showrooms - The 911 is far better built and much nicer both inside and out. Nobles are fast bits of plastic - the M12 was priced accordingly.
There are some (many?) people who do not wish to paying money, and contributing to the most profitable car company in the world. (Porsche).
Rather support a true Brit and be a bit more individual myself. Just gotta chose the colour now I guess.
Cheers,
Ian.
This is a car made for people who enjoy taking the road less travelled, made by someone who who just seems to know how a car should handle... its a driving tool, less a style statement.....he should've contracted out the styling though... "noticeable presence", "just wait til you see it in the flesh", and equally desperate statements like that do not bode well... "beautiful", "stunning", "gorgeous" etc..thats what you want...see Aston, Lambo even TVR....
But then that just proves the 1st bit....made for people who like the the less obvious choice... thank god for variety eh.
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