No lip-gloss and leg-wax, thigh-high boots, suspenders or spray-on clothes at the Noble unveiling, just a lot of facial hair and a couple of short blokes pulling the cover off of the latest Noble, the M14 (not sure where the M13 went). The absence of glamour and dancing didn't matter a fig. The M14 is quite something; the initial release of pictures and details, led to the company taking eight orders on the day.

Which isn't bad, considering that the mid-engined, 400bhp new car is priced at £74,900, putting it firmly in the realms of buyers who have Porsche 911 Turbos, Ferrari 360s and Lamborghini Gallardos to choose from.

So what makes eight put their cash down on the day of unveiling without even a test-drive, for a Mondeo-engined plastic-bodied supercar from the Midlands? Something to do with Lee Noble's engineering excellence, which has seen his previous cars (some still living on as Ultimas or Ascaris) get some of the most enthusiastic receptions around.

This one should be no different: 400bhp gives proper supercar performance to match its price tag. Nought to sixty takes 4.3 seconds, 100mph comes up in 9.5, while the top speed is a claimed 190mph, thanks to twin-turbos and intercoolers, plus forged pistons, on that Ford-sourced V6 motor. It only weighs 1100kg, too, which is handy.


Like the M12, beneath the M14's GRP bodywork lies a steel spaceframe chassis. Not the same as the M12's, but understandably, loosely based on successful underpinnings which you'll never see anyway. Apart from the styling, inside the cabin is where some obvious improvements have been made: the M14 feels like a proper supercar, with a crafted leather interior, and some extremely neat detailing like a rev-counter needle whose backlight turns from blue to red as it approaches the rev-limit. How cool is that?

Backing up the car's credentials as an everyday motor, Noble has given the M14 boots at the front and rear, with around 150 litres of space in each, while there's also some welcome storage space in the cabin. The bodywork's extra length at the front, which allows for a boot, should also help Noble if it decides to put the car through full European Type Approval, something it's considering.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking with alarm, and the car will go on sale in October. Though even if you put your name down now, you'll have to wait for the first few customer cars to be built before you get your hands on one.

Other Noble news is pretty interesting, too. The company has ridded itself of external dealers and will be selling through three, wholly owned outlets. One in the north, one in Leicester, and one in the south, and the resulting reduction in dealer margins has meant that it has reduced prices on its M12 model, which continues.

The M12 GTO-3R has been reduced to £49,950, while the M400 variant, with 425bhp, is now £55,995. And just in case that lot wasn't enough, Noble also unveiled a cabriolet variant of the M12, which is set to become its biggest-selling car.

Coming with two removable and stowable roof panels, with a further removable rear section which can't be stored on-board, the GTC is mechanically similar to coupé M12 models, but has a 290bhp version of the V6 turbo engine, and costs £44,950. Noble reckons on selling around 200 of these a year.

source : channel4

 

The M12 has gotten rave reviews, I bet this one will drive great too. I have to say the styling is a bit so so imo.

 

I like it a lot. Is it offered in the U.S. at all?

-Anthony

 

I think the M12 is offered in the US, so when this one is in full production I would think the US will get it too.

 

This is very different design for a car. But i must admit that i like it alot

 

This car is truly stunning!!! Great luggage capacity too

 

I'll probaly see a few of these in person soon -- there's a noble m12 dealer just south of here. They always have sick cars there. The shop just had a miata with an s2000 motor writeup in turbo or super street recently.

 

That noble is sick. When will it hit here in the US?

 

Neat car. Hideous interior though.

 

.....sweet....

 

I think it was just introduced here in Europe, so it could be some time before you guys get it.