Noble M400, 2004

 

•  Noble M400, 2004

Anyone who has driven a Noble M12 on a race circuit attest to the car's polished handling, user-friendly nature and - of course - its vivid performance. But there's an irony here, because the M12 was always designed as a comfortable and breathtakingly fast road car first, with track-day competence thrown in as a bonus.

This has led Noble Automotive to develop the M400, a car that takes full advantage of the scope left in the M12's chassis and engine for drivers who seek even more focus in their performance and dynamics. With a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne (hence the name), the M400 is not only substantially more powerful than the other cars in the M12 range, but it also showcases a variety of unique features not seen in other Nobles.

At £55,995, the M400 is not only one of the fastest production cars of its type, but its chassis - which in standard M12 form uniquely marries high-speed composure with low-speed ride compliance - has now been sharpened to give the driver even greater control of the car at speed.

But none of this has been achieved at the expense of the M400's road manners. Thanks to completely new, highly sophisticated dampers, the M400 has lost little of the M12's ride quality, which means that it is still as usable as any other M12 on the public road. Make no mistake, the M400 is so much more than just a 'track-day special'.

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
425bhp, 390lb ft
High-lift camshafts
Forged pistons
Larger turbochargers
Bespoke engine map
Oil cooler
Improved engine cooling
Larger-capacity, baffled oil sump
New gearshift mechanism

At the heart of the M400 is the 3.0-litre, 24-valve V6 engine that can be found in the current M12 range. However, power is now increased by 21 per cent to 425bhp and torque by 11 per cent to 390lb ft.

Internally, the engine has been modified with higher-lift cams and forged, rather than cast pistons, for extra strength. The forged pistons have been included as a safety feature for the engine, rather than out of necessity: in fact, the development car that spawned the M400 has covered many thousands of reliable miles on cast pistons with an even higher output than the production M400. Add to this the usual tuning recipe that goes into each and every Noble engine, and owners can be assured of plenty of durable high-performance.

The M400 retains the twin-turbocharged arrangement of the standard GTO-3 and 3R models, but now has a brace of larger Garrett T28 turbochargers, which produce maximum boost at 0.85bar, replacing the standard cars' T25s. A revised fuel pump and larger injectors cater for the M400's improved performance.

Working with leading automotive engineers, Roush Technologies, Noble has developed a bespoke engine map for the M400, which makes full use of the power and torque available in the mid- to top-end of the rev-range, allowing the 3.0-litre V6 to pull strongly right up to its 7200rpm limiter. The maximum 425bhp of power is now produced at 6500rpm (300rpm up on other models) and the maximum 390lb ft of torque at 5000rpm, with 75 per cent of this figure available from just 3500rpm.

Since Noble expects a majority of M400 owners to drive or compete with their cars on race circuits, it has also incorporated the following as standard:
+ Air-cooled oil cooler
+ Enlarged side air-scoops for improved engine bay cooling
+ Enlarged front air-intakes to allow a greater volume of air into the radiator
+ A single, dual-function oil pressure/oil temperature gauge, located next to the turbo-boost gauge on the dash-centre (the location of the pre-production press car's gauge differs slightly)
+ A baffled 'track-day' oil sump with larger, 8.5-litre capacity, which is a cost option on other Noble models.

Completing the drivetrain upgrades is a completely new gearshift mechanism for the six-speed manual gearbox, which uses low-maintenance, dry-running polymer bearings. The gearlever is now mounted slightly higher in the cabin and moves through a far quicker and more precise gate than before, making committed driving on circuit or road a pleasure.

CHASSIS
High-performance dampers and springs
Revised steering rack allowing more lock
Softer-compound, road/race tyres
Front anti-roll bar
Reduced kerbweight
Revised brake bias valving

Noble has targeted three key areas while developing the M400's chassis:
1. To improve levels of grip at high speeds without losing the inherently progressive breakaway characteristics for which the standard 3R is renowned;
2. To build in even greater degrees of body composure as the car approaches its limits, making it more predictable and controllable on the road and track;
3. To closely approach the on-road ride quality of the standard M12.

In order to achieve this, Noble started by replacing the 3R model's dampers with highly sophisticated, bespoke Dynamic Suspensions units, supplied by Multimatic Technical Centre Europe. These coil-over dampers were chosen after objective testing on Multimatic's 4-post test rig, followed by subjective evaluation on road and track, including Germany's famous Nurburgring.

The dampers are monotube units, featuring an impact-extruded aluminium body to minimise weight, and have 45mm sintered pistons and 14mm shafts, incorporating a proprietary low friction-sealing system to optimise performance. Damping levels are fixed, though a threaded external body does allow the M400's ride height to be adjusted, if required. As with all Nobles, double wishbones are fitted all round.

Complementing the Dynamics dampers is a revised steering rack, which allows a further 0.8 of a turn between locks, while retaining the same ratio found on other Nobles (to make this possible, the footwell has been re-designed and is now double-skinned, adding further strength to the car's structure). There are now 2.5 turns from lock to lock (standard M12: 1.7 turns) which gives drivers potentially more control if the car is oversteering on a track. Naturally, this revision has also allowed improved manoeuvrability at lower speeds.

All Nobles are famed for their phenomenal roadholding, but the M400 raises the bar even higher. Replacing the M12 model's Bridgestone SO-3 tyres, are Pirelli P-Zero Corsas of identical size. The Pirellis are directional and asymmetric in design and their softer compound offers increased levels of grip and steering feel. The M400's high-speed control has also been enhanced by the Pirelli's stronger sidewalls, which have a high resistance to flex under extreme cornering forces.

The M400 is the first Noble production car to use an anti-roll bar (ARB), which is fitted to the front suspension only. Designed in-house, the ARB weighs just 6kgs, thanks to hollow components which have been laser-cut and CNC-machined. While no road-going Noble has ever been fitted with an ARB before, Martin Short's Rollcentre team is currently using the factory-designed system on its GT Cup Noble M12 this season, and is convinced of its worth under race conditions.

In order to arrive at the M400's 400bhp per tonne power to weight ratio, Noble has managed to shave 20kgs from the M12's already slender kerbweight by removing the air conditioning pump and its assorted plumbing. While air conditioning is a cost option on the standard 3R model, no cars have left the factory without it, hence its inclusion in the 3R's kerbweight figure. However, Noble anticipates that M400 owners will be more likely to forgo this feature in favour of a superior power to weight ratio. Air conditioning will remain a cost option on the M400.

Brakes are 330mm diameter discs all round, with four-pot callipers, taken from the current M12 range. The M400 adds a revised pressure control valve, which sends more bias to the rear brakes.

INTERIOR
Full Alacantara trim
New Sparco multi-adjustable race seats
Four-point race harnesses
Oil temp/pressure gauge

In keeping with the M400's 'race-car meets road-car' remit, all models  trimmed throughout in high-quality black Alcantara and fitted with all-new Sparco race seats. The seats themselves are trimmed in a hardwearing black jaquard fabric, and fitted with an anti-slip cushion, as well as removable backrest and under-thigh pads. Both seats are fore and aft adjustable, and can be tilted backwards and forwards for maximum comfort. As with all Nobles, the steering column can also be adjusted for reach.

Bearing in mind that the M400  popular among circuit drivers, Noble has moved both seats in towards the centre of the car by 15mm to allow more headroom at the side of, and above, occupants' heads, especially if they're wearing crash helmets. This re-positioning has also removed the slight pedal offset found in standard M12s. All M400s come as standard with four-point race harnesses, as well as a conventional inertia-reel safety belt for road use.

While the basic dash architecture be familiar to current M12 owners, the M400's cabin also receives a combined oil temperature and pressure gauge incorporated into the central switch-panel and 'M400' badging on the steering wheel boss.

EXTERIOR
'M400' badging
Anthracite-coloured alloy wheels
Anthracite-coloured rear wing supports
Larger front and side scoops
'M400' graphics

The M400 is instantly identifiable from the outside by its black or red (depending upon body colour) graphics running along each door, and its anthracite-coloured wheels and rear-wing supports. No other Noble goes like it - or looks like it.

'M400' badging adorns the rear panel and the car is also defined visually by larger air-scoops at the side and the front (see Engine & Drivetrain).

Body colours for the M400 are:
Monza red (with black graphics)
Portofino Blue metallic (with red graphics)
Diamond Black metallic (with red graphics)
Larch Silver metallic (with red graphics)
Azure Blue metallic (with red graphics)
Titanium metallic (with red graphics)

Noble M15, 2006

 

 

 

 

•  Noble M15, 2006

Building on the success of the no-compromise M12, the M15 is a more mature Noble with luxuries including Satellite Navigation, impeccable ride and 300 litres of luggage space!

With a 455bhp version of the tried and trusted three-litre twin turbo engine Noble has come to rely on, this is also the quickest car ever to emerge from Barwell, Leicestershire. With the complementary figure of 455lb/ft of torque, all in a car that weighs slightly more than 1200kg, the M15 is devastatingly fast.

The M15 accelerates from 0-60mph in less than 3.5 seconds and 10 100mph in less than 8s. It keeps going all the way to 185mph, too, and has been tuned for rapid acceleration throughout the range rather than an easily achievable 200mph top end speed.

Supreme cornering skills and a confidence-inspiring chassis are part the DNA and, in this respect, the M15 promises to be the best yet. The spaceframe chassis with integral rollcage is 57 per cent stiffer than the M12 that has won plaudits throughout the world and intensive development has ensured that the fabled Noble handling on the limit is even better than before.

At £74,950 the M15 pitches straight into battle with the established supercar brands, but Noble is happy to meet them head on. "Hopefully people that test this car will see it as a real alternative to £130,000 exotica, as well as the immediate competition in the price range," he said. "We know we're taking on tough opposition, but I'm sure this car is going to take us forward in a big way."

Noble M14, 2004

Noble M14, 2004

 

 

 

Having conquered the specialist sports car market over the last five years, Noble Automotive is now launching an all-new model, which will firmly establish it at the quality end of the supercar market.
The British Noble M14 is set to take on rivals, such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari 360 Modena, with a tantalising mix of class-leading dynamics, prodigious performance, a finely crafted and well equipped cabin, and levels of practicality that will appeal to owners who wish to use their car every day.
Priced at £74,950, the M14 will be the flagship of the Noble range, falling into place above the existing M12 models.

EXTERIOR DESIGN
The 2004 British Motor Show will see the Noble M14 unveiled for the first time. Far from being a mere concept, the show car's styling, interior, drivetrain and chassis represent what will reach production when the car goes on sale in October this year.

From the M14's conception, Lee Noble has focused on creating a form that eschews current design trends, and majors on a far more emotive shape, led by broad, sweeping curves along the car's flanks, an aggressive front treatment and a graceful - yet imposing - rear end.

This fact is obvious when you look more closely at the car: beautifully engineered door handles, hewn from billets of aluminium; six circular rear light lenses, which make reference to legendary supercars from the past; the rear screen, which reveals the engine's plenum chamber protruding above the perforated aluminium engine cover; and the body-coloured rear diffuser, which cuts deep into the rear panel, highlighting the twin exhausts which exit from its centre. Overall, 95 per cent of the components which make up the M14 (excluding the drivetrain) are distinct from the current M12 series of cars, and an additional 70 per cent of components are now made in house, compared with previous Noble models.

While the M14 retains the current M12's wheelbase, its length has grown by 178mm to 4267mm and its width by 50mm to 1935mm. As a result, more space has been liberated in the cabin, compared with the M12, and there are now two luggage compartments, one behind the engine, and one at the front of the car. This increase in size has also helped Noble incorporate significant crash protection in the doors, and deformable sections at the front and rear of the M14, with a view to it achieving full European Type Approval in the future.

Lee Noble's provenance as a designer of performance cars has been well-documented, and it's this experience which has ensured that the aerodynamics of the M14 will create exceptional stability, as well as an estimated top speed of 190mph.

DRIVETRAIN & PERFORMANCE
Noble has chosen again to adopt a highly-modified version of Ford's 3.0-litre V6, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, for use in the M14. The unit, which in base form also powers certain Jaguar cars, has proved particularly durable in five years of Noble M12 development and production.

Like the GTO-3R and M400 models, the engine employs twin turbochargers, but uses an engine map developed specifically for the M14. In common with the 425bhp M400 model, the M14 will gain forged pistons to ensure durability. Maximum power will be 400bhp at 6100rpm, with a wholesome 385lb ft of torque at 4750rpm. Estimated performance will be 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, 0-100mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 190mph.

But crude benchmark figures tell only half the story. The Noble M14's power delivery has been fine-tuned to exploit much of the engine's potential with minimal effort. In-gear acceleration should be class-leading, with over 90 per cent of the engine's torque available at just 2750rpm. And in typical Noble style, the engine will be placid and tractable from as low as 1000rpm, highlighting the M14's versatility in every day driving conditions. A cultured exhaust note has been engineered to excite the senses under acceleration, but remain civilised at cruising speeds.

Twin intercoolers now feature in the M14, and are mounted behind each rear wheel arch. This location has two clear advantages: it creates vital space at the back of the car for a luggage compartment; and cooler air can now be ducted over each internal wheel arch cover, rather than above the engine, improving the efficiency of the intercoolers.

The ratios in the M14's six-speed gearbox have been designed to specifically match its power and torque characteristics, complementing the engine's linear delivery. In top gear the M14 pulls 26.5mph per 1000rpm, giving it a remarkably relaxed cruising gate, with 70mph registering just over 2600rpm. This gearbox, which is mated to an automatic torque-biasing differential, has received extensive development in Noble's even more powerful M400 model, and has proved exceptionally durable. A completely new gearshift mechanism, offering drivers slick, finger-light changes, completes the package.