Noble M12 GTO

[waymilky]

Is anybody familiar with the Noble M12? Is this car just for the weekend warrior, or can it be used throughout the week without worrying about losing a kidney? Has anyone seen one in person? What was the quality like? Is this a competitor for the NSX, or for kit cars? Its specifications are certainly impressive and the magazines seem to like it.

Eric

 

[NetViper]

I saw one last week. It is gorgeous. It had no engine in it, so I can't tell you much else.

 

[waymilky]

I wrote to their website today to find out where I could see their car. I'm curious, where did you see it. Would you consider it over an NSX? Why or why not.

Eric

 

[ANYTIME]

I know where you saw it Dave. Is it done/close?

 

[special k]

Noble

I saw the same one too here in las vegas looks sweet engine was not in but apparently it would smoke us at 0-60 in 3.7 and for 70k with a built in roll cage its pretty impressive but then who's gonna work on it. Matter of fact there is a nsx for sale twin turbo red who now owns that Noble so apparently he believes in it.

 

[Meeyatch1]

Interesting....

 

[KGP]

I know where you saw it Dave. Is it done/close?

It was sitting next to my NSX.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I believe the car is sold less engine/ drivetrain. It is designed for a Ford V6 twin turbo I believe. If you can get a deal on a engine package, you can have a sweet ride for about $60k

 

[TyraNSX]

More info here
http://1gracing.com/

 

[bnewell]

The Noble is a pretty awesome car. I have driven the car on 2 different occasions and can honestly say it was the quickest car that I have ever driven. I can tell you that my 650 hp cobra wouldn't stand a chance against it!!! The Noble is made my the same South African company that made my Superformance Cobra replica and the fit and finish on any of their cars is excellent. The company also makes the S1 which is a Lotus Super Seven replica, the Daytona Coupe and they now have a GT40 in the works which should be out later this summer.

The Noble is sold through 1G Racing which is located in Ross, Ohio (just west of Cinncy). 1G Racing currently shares building space with Dynamic Motorsports which sells the cobras, daytonas and S1's. Total current production is only 4 cars a month, needless to say, there is a waiting list for the Noble.

I drove their demo car which is a 370 hp twin turbo v6 with a 5-speed. They are currently putting together a new demo car that will have a 450 hp twin turbo and 6-speed tranny. This will also be the car given to Car & Driver for their up coming road test. I have heard that this $70K supercar will out perform even the Enzo (I'll wait for the road test).

As I mentioned, fit and finish is 2nd to none. The interior is not as plush as the NSX, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. but I found it very comfortable. Considering the seats and suspension, the car drove/rode extremely well. As for dealership support, Dean and Ron Rosen are the owners of both the Noble and Cobra dealerships and I can guarantee you that you that they are a class act. You won't find two nicer guys and they stand behind their product 110%.

If any of you are in the Cincinnati area, give Dean Rosen a call, he'd be more than happy to give you a test ride.

Brian

 

[NSXLuvr]

lateral grip is up there with the mclaren f1.

I READ(not Driven) that the F1 was medicore in lateral grip dept. Something like .86-.88 G's. However, it probably Slaloms at a higher speed.

 

[RoadRacer]

I think there was a lateral-grip showdown in one of the major UK magazines where the Noble took the top spot.

It pulls (sustained) over 1.00g's on street tires. 1.15G's seems to ring a bell as far as the article goes, though I can't remember if that was peak or sustained.

I also remember reading something about the Noble pulling 1.4G's in braking.

 

[waymilky]

Lateral grip and braking forces are great, but would you want to drive this car daily? A track car is great fun on the track, but who wants to be beat up by it on a daily basis? I also want to take the car down to the grocer and on long trips. Anybody have any knowledge in this area?

Eric

 

[NetViper]

I saw absoulely NO storage space on the Noble. It sounds like you should just get the NSX. Add FI for more performance. You will not be disappointed.

 

[RoadRacer]

Net Viper is right as far as there being no trunk (front or rear), so groceries would have to go in the passenger side.

As far as the ride around town goes, that's an area where the Noble has been universally praised in everything I've read.. It apparently has great ride characteristics and takes city roads well.

As great as the car handles on the track, they are coming out with a new, track oriented model with much stiffer suspension! The 3R is considered their road and track car, the new model (M400) their track-focused car.

 

[jaytip nsx]

the noble comes with personalised luggage if you want it similar to what was once offered with the NSX.
the car is british not south african,the fibre glass body is made in south africa,then shipped to the uk where it is assembled.
the guy who is in charge of the company is Lee Noble.he was involved in the chassis set up for the mclaran F1. with regards to every day userbility it would be a much better bet than a lotus elise,and better built.as for performance and handling,NOTHING comes close for the money considering the car can be used everyday as easily as the NSX.
when the price of one drops over here i will seriously consider one,and by that time we will know what the build quality will be like over time.

 

[poet_x]

There was a blue one at the Woodward Dream Cruise last year that I was in. I looks alot like an Elise with a hard top, until you read the badges. I almost lost it when i realized what it was. I am told from 1g that it was one of 2 in the country at the time. I was VERY impressed with the fit and finish, and it sounded great. It has NO storage (no trunk what-so-ever). I also smacked my head getting in (it's quite low). And, on the Top Gear report, it has a HORRID turning radius (I'm talking Dodge Ram Extended Cab Long Box). Anyway, here are some pics I snapped at the event (sorry about the last pic. I needed to wash my windshield)...

 

[lemansnsx]

Excellent review of the Noble at http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtests/roadtest_277_1.html

According to that article the luggage set consists of 6 small soft bags that are attached by velcro (!) to "various points around the cabin" including under the seat bolsters...

Noble's site: http://www.noblecars.com/index2.html

 

[sjs]

Hmmm... I wonder how my spare NSX 3.2 + 6-spd would fit, with turbos of course. What's the price without drivetrain?

It looks like an absolute blast and someone whom I respect in such matters has driven it and absolutely raves. Too bad about the big ass wing, and I'm not too fond of some of the interior details, but I suspect I'd learn to live with it.

 

[bnewell]

you can order it without the rear wing.

Brian

 

[bnewell]

jaytip nsx,

I visited 1G Racing this morning and was told that all of the US bound turn key minus cars are manufactured in South Africa and then shipped directly to 1G Racing.......it never touches UK soil.

For you Florida guys, 1G Racing will be in Sebring next week (I think) with about 5 cars including their demo model.

One of the technicians today was working on a Monza Red Noble with black leather interior.......sweeeet!!!!

Brian

 

[jorligan]

Drove the Noble today and it is a blast to drive. Corners perfectly flat with wonderful steering. It has a HUGE turning radius. Excellent ride over bumps, probably as good as the NSX if not better.

Power to spare with massive instant torque. No interior room and no room for any serious luggage. Flawless finish.

Price 56.7 K without engine and drivetrain. Already finished to receive the twin turbo 3.0 Duratech engine, around 81 K as a turnkey including AC, stereo, leather. 370 HP with only 7 lbs boost on the engine which has forged pistons, forged crank and has been ported, compression around 8:1 according to the mechanic who was in the process of dropping in an engine.

 

[cmhs75]

I always read about the Noble. Even the previous generation that probably no one here has ever heard of before. It caught my attention when a British car magazine chose it over the late model Elise. That was more than good enough to consider.

But I've never heard of the Noble being a user friendly vehicle. I don't mean the handling, a car that can do over steering while doing 110 mil/h must be a sublime handler, I mean its creature comfort. The Noble is very low you have to be extra careful not to scrape its bottom and the seating is not for long distance travels. The switch gear is not for a 50,000+ US$ super car. And forget about practicality.

The Noble is not an NSX rival. It should be compared with an Elise, Toyota MR2, Radical, and the Cobra. It's more of a kit car than an all rounder such as an NSX, Porsche, or Ferrari. And all kit cars go faster and corner harder and cost less than a Maclaren F1. It's nothing new. The Noble is the best of its bread. But the NSX is not of its bread.

If you like these cars, you should also consider cars like the Caterham, Atom, and Radical. They'll give you a lot more competition than the NSX.

 

[jorligan]

I agree that the Noble is low but no lower than the NSX. The seats are pretty comfortable for the short drive that I had but will know better in June when we take delivery of Number 50. The switch gear is better than in our 89 911, and even though the switch gear is limited, it is pretty similar to that of current Corvettes

The Noble will be in addition to the NSX, selling the Porsche. In regards to "supercar", the Noble is more like an older Porsche which was pure performance vs a grand touring car which the newer Porsche has become. I agree that the Porsche is great but you know, its really become tame, refined. Really thought long and hard about a 360 Modena but I just have a hard time paying the cost not only for the car but for the maintenance. I can afford it but can't justify it.

Lastly, every production car in the world costs less than a Mclaren F1, not just kit cars. I wouldn't call the Noble a "kit car" since the build is pretty incredible. The specialty production cars like the Caterham are pretty great but its also a matter of styling.

Finally, practicality, if you want practicality, drive an M3 BMW. Nice comfortable seats, quiet interior, plenty of room, nice engine, take it to the track, and drives great in the winter with snow tires. Ask Meeyatch the joys of driving the NSX in snow

 

[JAM]

Funny this was brought up here... I saw the car when I was out west last week and have been reading what I can about it since then. I didnt drive the car, but I like the looks and price seems to be more than reasonable with the performance the Noble kicks out. I am still looking for the more radical drive applications people are using before I think about getting one through