WANT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180115866956&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

5/11/2007 5:48:21 PM

Yes please.

5/11/2007 6:30:28 PM

I would fucking walk to IL to own that car.

5/11/2007 7:38:40 PM

Almost $90k for a replica? And what is it a replica of?

5/11/2007 7:53:14 PM

Quote :

" This listing (180115866956) has been removed or is no longer available. Please make sure you entered the right item number. If the listing was removed by eBay, consider it canceled. Note: Listings that have ended more than 90 days ago will no longer appear on eBay."

humm.. interesting how 5 mins ago it was listed. replica or not, it's still a hot car.

5/11/2007 7:57:22 PM

^^ it's a replica of "amazing"

jk. The Noble's not a replica of anything. It just gets classified as a replica/ kit car because it is shipped here w/o engine and transmission, as a rolling chassis. Why?

Noble is a tiny british sports car manufacturer that has been making turbo ford v6 cars similar to this m400 for the last 7-8 yrs, and not just passingly well. Every car rag that's reviewed it has loved it.

However, it's a royal bitch for small makes to enter the US market, so Noble had their 3rd party manufacturer for their chassis in South Africa, which I believe is Superformance, ship the completed chassis into the US through an independent importing company, 1g racing, instead of doing the final install themselves in England. Since the car is only a rolling chassis and not a complete car at the time of sale, it doesn't have to meet a lot of the requirements that major manufacturers do, and 1g racing points you at yet another 3rd party drivetrain supplier to keep the deal all kosher within the rules for a component car. M12/M400s chassis go for like $65-70k, the drivetrain including the turbo v6 in either 360 or 425 hp is ~$20, and the installation is another $10-15, but I'm feelin too lazy to go check the numbers over at http://www.1gracing.com. So, $82k is pretty good deal for a complete m400 (which can do 0-60 in 3.3! I think that was evo), but I didn't note the mileage before they took down the auction.

To what extent the noble couldn't actually comply with emissions or fuel consumption or crash standards is still up in the air. Hopefully I'll get to figure some of these things out as part of my independent summer research project looking into a variety of exemptions for low-volume manufacturers! I'll primarily be looking at NHTSA regulations.

Interesting note: To pay for its next car, the M15 (450hp, longitudinal engine instead of transverse, look for top gear vids on youtube), Noble has sold the rights to manufacture and sell the m12/m400 chassis to 1gracing, but not the actual appearance of the car and the name Noble or the model names, m12 gto, m12 gto-3, m12 gto-3r, or m400. So 1gracing is essentially the manufacturer now, and although the chassis will be built in South Africa, business as usual, Nobody knows what the new name will be or how much 1gracing will end up changing the styling.


the m400 is third behind the ford gt and the farbio (farboud's new name, I know it sounds awful) gts on my dream car garage. Bizarre. I never noticed all of those were powered by fords before.

5/11/2007 8:51:02 PM

oh snap, it's got NAWZZZ buttons on the steering wheel!!!11

5/11/2007 9:24:37 PM

that thing better be quick, cause it loos cheap as fuck inside and out

5/11/2007 9:48:51 PM

was listed as 0-60 in 3.3 seconds or so and 0-100 in 8 seconds.

5/11/2007 10:35:11 PM

the beauty of this car isnt the straight line performance but the handling. its been named one of the best handling cars in the world. this has been my dream car (m12 gto) for quite some time, i now really want an m15

5/12/2007 4:05:05 AM

^w/ the m12's future uncertain now that 1gracing (http://www.1gracing.com/)is going to make changes to the car and Noble's no longer involved, and noble not planning on selling the m15 in the US at all until it gets a foothold in Europe, nobles are gonna be thin on the ground.

Might I interest you in something in carbon fiber with Cosworth's input? (please ignore the name...)
http://www.farbiosportscars.com

5/12/2007 10:49:02 AM

TVR 350c (pre-sagaris) vs. Noble (didn't wait to see which one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMNW1vkcluM

UkCar of the year (top gear): more noble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm9_YKyFl6s

Top Gear: Noble M15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMW0b8Ldojc

Ultima GTR (gotta be a high hp one...ultima currentlyoffers kits up to 720 hp!) catching and Passing an M12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyNfrNq_TK4

The ultima is an earlier car designed by lee noble that he sold off... kind of a weird thing he does... designs a car, sells it, starts over. crazy bastard. . The Ultima is lighter than a noble but far more compromised, with tiny dihedral doors, no rear window, and a barely finished interior. Ultimas uses Chevy engines + Porsche transaxles... like Mosler or any other number of kit supercars, like Factory Five Racing's GTM.
More Ultima
1/4 mi <10s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt-iazP1688

my bad, I was hoping to find top gear and 5th gear reviews of the m12 right when it came out... both clarkson and tiff did some classic stuff in both. Also, tiff's first review of the Ultima GTR was plain nasty... I think both have been removed from youtube now. sad.

5/12/2007 11:22:34 AM

i'd f*ck it

5/12/2007 12:46:42 PM

WIN A NOBLE M12 GTO

This guy just casually makes a thread saying he is raffling his Noble for charity!

http://www.sportscarforums.com/f7/noble-being-raffled-charity-19772.html

Here is where you can buy tickets ($50) and view a pic of the actual car:

http://www.winthenoble.com

5/13/2007 4:09:12 PM

Noble M400 Returns as Rossion Q1 (US)

http://www.rossioncars.com

Make sure to check out the colors: http://www.rossioncars.com/pages/models/models_q_one_colors_ad_green.html

Rebodied and reworked, available for 90K in the US, or the chassis for 69K. Looks very much like the sexy Noble M15 now. Phreaking gorgeous!

Biggest bang for the buck, in modern automotive history? Enzo-rivalling performance for 1/7th the cost.

Quote :

"7.9.2007 – Press Release ROSSION AUTOMOTIVE ANNOUNCES WORLD DEBUT OF THRILLING NEW ROSSION Q1 Rossion Q1 Redefines Supercar Landscape Offering Ultimate Performance in Luxurious Road Car, Perfectly Suited for Street or Track CINCINNATI, OH (July 9, 2007) – Rossion Automotive proudly announces the worldwide debut of their new supercar, the Rossion Q1. The move into production for the Rossion Q1 began after 1G Racing acquired both the intellectual and design rights for the Noble M400 and M12 platforms earlier this year in February. While further stressing the performance aspects that made Noble platforms such a startling success, the new Rossion Q1 incorporates dramatic design and a comfortably refined interior to create a versatile supercar that mesmerizes on the road as easily as on the track. “We are extremely proud to launch the Rossion brand with the introduction of the new Q1,” says Rossion Automotive Vice President Dean Rosen. “The Q1 is about achieving the very highest possible levels of performance and blending them with luxurious touches traditionally absent from cars of this caliber.” The Rossion Q1 is for the enthusiast looking for a refined road car that pushes the limits of performance in every way.” The Q1 offers one of the most superb driving experiences available with a wide array of the highest quality comforts with available options including satellite navigation, power mirrors, hand-stitched sumptuous interiors, and high-grade sound system. The sensuously-styled body covers the fiery power of the Q1 with a suggested drive train offering a visceral 450-horspower and 400 ft. lbs. torque. To maximize performance, the mid-mounted engine is set into a feather-light frame offering a slim total weight of under 2,500 lb. With 0-60 mph times posting an ethereal 3.2 seconds, a daunting 11.4 second quarter mile time with well over 1G of lateral track skid pad, and a blisteringly fast top speed of 185 mph, the Rossion Q1 will offer even the most accomplished drivers a truly world class driving experience. Available with one of the most versatile high-performance packages available today as a component vehicle, the Rossion Q1 will be hand built in limited numbers at the same 380,000 square foot production facility the M400 was produced. The Rossion Q1 chassis will have a base price just under $69,000 (U.S.) minus drivetrain. Owner completed cost with suggested drivetrain Base price $90,700. Initial orders are now being accepted for the Q1 with first deliveries set for later this year. About Rossion Automotive Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rossion Automotive is the distributor of high-performance component cars including the new Rossion Q1. For more information on Rossion vehicles, please visit http://www.rossioncars.com or call 866-612-6625 (International 513-738-0828)."

The best colors:

7/13/2007 9:59:09 PM

Quote :

"I would fucking walk to IL to own that car."

i don't know why but that made me LOL. i guess it's just the thought of someone setting out on that trek with the look of determination.

7/14/2007 7:31:03 AM

I like the styling of the M400 better, personally. The Rossion looks like it's trying to rip off the front-end styling of a Carrera GT. (Still an attractive car though)

7/14/2007 8:46:21 AM