Noble M400 Coupe

ON THE ROAD

Performance
Who would have thought that Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 engine would find itself in such an exotic location? Noble has added turbochargers to endow it with 352bhp and 350lb ft of shove in the M12, giving a 0-60mph time of 3.7sec and a top speed of 170mph – supercar pace. For even more performance, the M400 puts out a staggering 425bhp.

Ride & handling
The Noble proves that Lotus is not the only company capable of pulling off the trick of making a sports car seem glued to the road on corners, yet still ride the bumps with poise. The Noble does both and is also blessed with fantastically responsive steering.

Refinement
The Noble is capable of dispatching motorway journeys without tiring the occupants. That’s especially true of the 3R, which comes with extra noise insulation and a six-speed manual gearbox in place of the 3’s five-speeder to allow more relaxed cruising. There’s some wind and road noise but it’s not excessive for this type of car.

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning
The M12 will be viewed by many as a quirky alternative to one of the more costly TVR models. But at this price, the Noble is the better car and is gaining a cult following, which will help with resale values. Don’t expect it to be as sound a buying choice as a Porsche Boxster, however, while running costs will be high.

Quality & reliability
Although Noble is a small company, we reckon the car should prove to be very durable, even when used as intended for fast driving. The Ford engine is tough, and the body and chassis appear to be very well constructed from high-quality materials.

Safety & security
Safety equipment is one area where Noble shows that it is a small player. There are no airbags on offer, and no anti-lock brakes or traction control. The handling is superb without them, but for this money, both should be provided. The same goes for security kit, and an alarm should not be an optional extra on the standard M12.

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel
The racing pedigree of the Noble company is obvious from the driver’s seat. Although the steering wheel adjusts only for reach and the seat only slides back and forth, the positioning is excellent. The pedals are set very close together, however, and the rear view is somewhat restricted.

Space & practicality
Many mid-engined sports cars fall down heavily in terms of load space – witness the Toyota MR2 – but the Noble has an ingenious solution to carrying luggage. Optional fitted luggage bags dotted around the cabin can hold a surprising amount of kit, as long as you leave the golf clubs behind. Head- and legroom are both good.

Equipment
The M12’s equipment list is as minimal as its ground clearance, although the 3R gains leather upholstery and a CD multichanger. Metallic paint costs extra, as does air-conditioning (an essential in our book). Then there’s the fitted luggage – and not much else. But this is a model for serious sports car fans


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