So now that all eyes are squarely focused on our friends in the United Kingdom for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games it only felt appropriate to shine some attention this week on the UK’s very own Noble Automotive Ltd. So where to start things off? Why with the venerable Noble M400 coupe of course!
Noble was established in 1999 by Lee Noble in Leeds, West Yorkshire, for producing high-speed sports cars with a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. | Click to Enlarge 1920×1200
The M400 is the track variant of the M12 and weighs a bit more than the GTO-3R. It has 425 bhp and has been reported to do 0-60 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds. Car and Driver (March, 2007) achieved a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 7.52 seconds. Noble indicates only that the car is capable of achieving 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. Its top speed is listed at 185 mph, though a top speed of 202 mph has been achieved by Noble’s former press officer. Lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.2. The model designation M400 is derived from the fact that the power and weight specifications for the car correspond to 400 bhp per ton. It has both a 3 point seat-belt and a 5 point harness. The most notable differences from the M12 are the use of forged pistons, a front anti-roll bar, stiffer springs, different shocks, Pirelli P Zero tires, a smoother gear shifter, and a slightly narrower central tunnel. The M400 is designed to be an outstanding track car that is also pleasant to drive on the road.
A native of Tampa, FL Robert is the presiding editor and co-owner of both Down Shift Magazine and DS Holdings, LLC. A proud alumnus of the University of South Florida’s class of 2005 Robert is active in the Tampa Bay community and when not residing at his home in Tampa, FL enjoys traveling throughout the United States and abroad covering the motorsports and cultural phenomenon that shape our modern automotive enthusiast community.
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