Noble M400
| Noble M400 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Noble Automotive Ltd |
| Production | 2004–2007 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Related | Rossion Q1, Noble M12 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Twin-turbo 3.0L V6, a re-built Ford Duratec 30 |
| Transmission | Getrag 6-speed manual with Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,438 mm (96.0 in) |
| Length | 4,090 mm (161.0 in) |
| Width | 1,880 mm (74.0 in) |
| Height | 1,143 mm (45.0 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Noble M600 |
The Noble M400 is a sports car from the British car maker Noble. Manufacturing was outsourced to Hi-Tech Automotive,[1][2] based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The M400 was noted by the automotive press for excellent handling and power.[3][4][5]
Engine
The Noble M400 features a mid-mounted transverse engine design. The power plant began life as a 2,968 cc DOHC Ford Duratec V6 with four valves per cylinder, as used in the Ford Mondeo ST220. With this engine as a base, Noble fits high-lift camshafts, revised fuel injection, and two turbochargers.
For durability, Noble also added forged pistons, an oil cooler, a larger baffled oil sump, and extra cooling ducts. Its engine has a maximum power of 425 bhp (317 kW) at 6,500 rpm, with a torque figure of 390 lb·ft (530 N·m) at 5,000 rpm.[6] This power and a light weight allow the M400 to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of just over 400 bhp/ton, the figure for which it was named, a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) of 3.2 seconds and a 1/4-mile time of 11.4 @ 119.8 mph (192.8 km/h).[7][3] Top speed is 187 mph (301 km/h). The UK automotive TV show Vroom Vroom suggested that the M400 gave Ferrari Enzo performance at a Porsche 911 price.
Rossion Q1
Noble no longer manufactures the M400. The exclusive dealer for Noble in the US, 1G Racing in Ohio, USA (also known as Rossion), has obtained the production rights to the M400 from Noble Automotive, and has released an updated version named Rossion Q1. 1G's version of the M400 includes a redesigned aerodynamic shell, a new interior and an upgraded engine management system (upgrading it to 450 bhp).[8] 0-60 mph (0–100 km/h) has dropped from 3.3 seconds to 3.1.[9] Its top speed changed to 189 mph (304 km/h).
References
- ↑ "Ford Noble M400". Cartorque.co.za. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ↑ DB1395_Coega News Vol 15.indd Archived September 23, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
- 1 2 Frankel, Andrew. Noble M400: Catch me if you can..., The Sunday Times, 14 November 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ↑ Stewart, Ben. "Noble M400: Road Rocket", Popular Mechanics, Hearst Communications, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ↑ Noble M400 review, MPH Online, 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ↑ Carfolio.com technical specifications, added 2004-05-20, last modified 2008-04-03. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ↑ Jacquot, Josh (8 May 2007). "Full Test: 2007 Noble M400". InsideLine.com. Edmunds Inc. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
- ↑ "Rossion Q1: New U.S. Supercar Comes From Noble Stock". Edmunds.com. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ↑ "2009 Rossion Q1 - Car News". RoadandTrack.com. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-08.