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
Car Reviews From What Car
Noble M400 Coupe
Saab 9-5 Estate
ON THE ROAD
Performance
Every 9-5 has a turbocharged engine, but it’s the 1.9-litre diesel that’s likely to find favour with company car drivers thanks to low carbon dioxide emissions and useful flexibility. Petrol fans can choose from a 150bhp 2.0, a 185bhp 2.3 or the flagship 2.3 Aero. With 260bhp, this is blisteringly fast in a straight line, but unless you’re careful with the throttle, the traction control system rarely rests.
Ride & handling
The front-wheel-drive 9-5 combines a supple ride with decent body control. For such a large car it turns in well and tracks securely through corners, elbowing aside mid-corner bumps. On the downside, the steering doesn’t offer enough feedback and the flagship Aero model has more power than the chassis can handle.
Refinement
The petrol engines are hushed and, although the diesel can sound grumbly when worked hard. Whether you’re trundling along in heavy traffic or cruising on the motorway, road noise rarely intrudes, while wind roar only becomes a problem at high speed. Gearshifts aren’t particularly slick, though
Buying & owning
Running costs for company car drivers are competitive and the 9-5 undercuts most of its rivals on price. The cheaper models generally hold on to more of their original value come resale time, although the Saab still depreciates far quicker than its German rivals.
Quality & reliability
The cabin seems built to last and the dash materials are soft to the touch. However, some of the other plastics look downbeat and simple details, such as grab handles that aren’t damped, let the side down. Saab was second to last in our 2005 reliability survey and the 9-5 was 95th out of 100 cars in the same research. The company clearly has some ground to make up in reliability stakes.
Safety & security
The 9-5 was awarded the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s crash tests. Standard safety kit includes stability control and twin front and side airbags but, disappointingly for a car in this class, curtain ’bags are not available.
Behind the wheel
The 9-5’s cabin is distinctive and very Saab. Like all Saabs, its centre console curves invitingly around the driver to put all the controls within easy reach, and the layout is mostly logical. Seat comfort and support are excellent, with well shaped chairs that move to suit all shapes and sizes. However, the steering wheel could do with a wider range of reach adjustment.
Space & practicality
There’s plenty of room in the back of the 9-5 and, despite some suspension intrusion, the boot is a good size. You can accommodate three adults across the rear bench, and this splits and folds flat to accommodate longer loads. On the downside there’s not enough storage space around the driver.
Equipment
The 9-5 is generously equipped, with even the basic Linear trim getting alloy wheels, climate control, all-round power windows, electric heated door mirrors and a single-slot CD player. Leather upholstery is standard on Vector spec and above
Car Reviews From What Car
Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 3.2 R32 4MOTION 5dr
Performance
With 236lb ft of pulling power to call upon, the six-cylinder engine drags the car forward from little more than tickover. It sounds wonderful, too, barking and growling its way around the rev counter. Opt for the Direct-Shift Gearbox, which offers the choice of sequential manual or fully automatic modes, and the R32 sprints even harder.
Ride & handling
The R32's four-wheel drive makes it easier to use the available performance, even when the roads are greasy. Push really hard and the R32's front tyres will push wide, but at sensible speeds there's grip, grip and more grip. Steering is precise and incisive from the first roll of the wrist, but the ride is very firm.
Refinement
The engines sounds wonderful when you're in the mood, but once up to motorway cruising speeds it settles into the background. However, there's some wind noise to contend with and the chunky tyres kick up a fair bit of road noise. Even so, you'd happily contemplate a long drive in the R32
Buying & owning
However good it is, there's no getting away from the R32's high price. It's significantly more expensive than the likes of the Ford Focus ST and Vauxhall Astra VXR. However, the VW badge and the relatively small number of R32s sold should mean respectable resale values, and fuel bills are reasonable considering the performance.
Quality & reliability
The Golf's cabin is solidly screwed together; although it's a shame the plastics on the lower parts of the dash and doors don't have the same soft-touch feel as those on the top of the dash. Reliability shouldn't be a major concern.
Safety & security
The combination of four-wheel drive and the standard-fit electronic stability system should help you avoid an accident in the first place but should the worst happen, there are six airbags and the reassurance of a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Deadlocks and an alarm top the list of security features.
Behind the wheel
It's easy enough to get comfortable behind the wheel. There's two-way adjustment for the steering wheel and a wide range of movement from the front seats, although the side bolsters will pinch broader drivers. Sporty touches give the cabin a lift compared with more humble Golfs.
Space & practicality
The Golf is one of the most spacious small family cars, which helps to make the R32 one of the most practical hot hatches you can buy. The boot's a decent size, too. While some rivals, such as the Vauxhall Astra VXR, are three-door only, the R32 is available with five doors for the family in a hurry.
Equipment
You won't go short of toys in the R32, which goes some way to justifying the steep price. Dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, a 10-speaker stereo, and 18-inch alloy wheels are all standard. The Direct-Shift Gearbox is a pricey option, but well worth considering.
Lexus SC430 Open
Performance
There's only one engine/transmission combination in the SC430 but it is the magnificent 4.3-litre V8 and five-speed auto from the LS430 saloon. There's mighty, linear pull and instantaneous smooth kickdown into a lower gear as soon as you hit the throttle, giving rapid response.
Ride & handling
The SC430 can't match the mix of agility and comfort offered by the Mercedes SL, but revisions in late 2004 have given the Lexus a more settled ride than before. It still thumps into sharp bumps more than it should, but there is more control over broken backroads.
Refinement
The Lexus V8 and five-speed automatic 'box make for one of the smoothest and quietest production powertrains, and the SC430 also keeps wind noise nicely at bay below the legal limit, even with the roof down. But there is too much tyre noise on any kind of grainy surface, which undermines the Lexus's credentials as a long-distance cruiser
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
The SC430 is expensive, but good value because of the level of equipment. However, its rarity isn't enough to keep values as high as prestige rivals'. As a business car it attracts the top-rate tax penalty and its 23.5mpg average fuel consumption and modest tank give a range of less than 300 miles.
Quality & reliability
Lexus has earned a justified reputation for flawless build quality and utter reliability, and the SC430 - based on the old GS and LS powertrain - does nothing to change that. The cabin materials were said to have been inspired by luxury yachts and look classy, although cheap column stalks disturb the aura.
Safety & security
The only safety kit missing is a curtain airbag on each side - understandable in a car configured to run with the roof stashed in the boot. The company's security provisions are legendary - a Lexus was the first car to score 100% in a What Car? Security Test - and the SC430 is just as well defended.
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
You set your driving position - seat, mirrors and wheel - electrically, and the car remembers it. The cabin is a haven of wood, leather and classy metals. It's cosy but not cramped, although the high waistline and the curving roofline block rear three-quarter vision. Storage space is good, and there is, of course, good provision for cup holding.
Space & practicality
Any car which stows its roof in the boot is going to have packaging flaws. When that roof is metal and needs motors to move it, the flaws are magnified. The rear seats of the SC are largely useless and the space would have been better used as a ledge for extra baggage. Roof up, the boot is still only modest.
Equipment
Everything comes as standard with the SC430. Along with the metal folding roof, five-speed auto gearbox and wood-and-leather trim, buyers also get a touch-screen multi-function display with satellite navigation, a top drawer hi-fi system and climate control included in the highly impressive list of standard equipment.
Maybach 57 Saloon
Performance
The 57 use a tuned version of the Mercedes S600’s 5.5 twin-turbo V12 that develops huge power - 550bhp and 664lb ft of pull, to be exact. It shows. An even faster 6.0-litre V12 bi-turbo is fitted to the 57 S version.
Ride & handling
Air springs and adaptive dampers ought to give suppleness and composure. They don’t. Vertical bounce is well controlled, but there’s too much sideways rock and roll to allow rear occupants any peace, and sharp bumps could be better smothered. The car’s bulk, softness and light steering also work against tidy control away from motorways.
Refinement
The drivetrain – engine and automatic gearbox – is incredibly smooth, while the V12 emits just enough of a woofle under load to involve those who choose to do their own driving. There’s a bit of road noise on coarse surfaces, and wind noise above 80mph
OWNERSHIP
Buying & owning
With starting prices close to a quarter of a million pounds, you’ll need to be seriously wealthy to own one, so the chances are you’ll be unconcerned by the enormous costs of fuelling, insuring and maintaining the car. What might concern you are residuals, so Maybach has a buy-back scheme for used cars to protect these as much as possible.
Quality & reliability
The Maybach is an old-money brand reintroduced for nouveau riche buyers. You might not approve of the look of some colour and trim combos, but it’s hard to fault the hand-built quality. Mechanically, Mercedes bits are tough, but we’d like to think the electrical glitches that have plagued some models won’t be in evidence here.
Safety & security
Everything you need to keep a 550bhp, 2.7-tonne car on the road is fitted as standard, while the four occupants are protected by 10 airbags and the crash structures look deeply impressive. Deadlocks aren’t fitted, but then you’ll probably keep the car in an armoured garage anyway
IN THE CABIN
Behind the wheel
Though the driver has plenty of space and adjustment of the major controls, the switchgear demands familiarisation, and the hefty screen pillars, especially those at the rear, make exiting from junctions hazardous. The car’s soft settings and sheer bulk make it difficult to keep things smooth for passengers away from motorways.
Space & practicality
Riding in the back is even better than first-class air travel. You enter through doors that open to nearly 90 degrees, have masses of room and every luxury. The boot is no bigger than a Mondeo’s though, unless you fit a space-saver spare wheel.
Equipment
TV/DVD screens, surround-sound entertainment, reclining rear chairs and even a refrigerator and clamps for your champagne glasses are fitted in the rear. Even so, there are enough options (how about 24-carat gold-plated wheel rims?) to permit two million permutations of colour, trim and equipment, so chances are yours will be unique.
