Noble M400


The Noble M400 is a rare sports car from the British car maker Noble. Manufacturing was outsourced to Hi-Tech Automotive, based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The M400 was noted by the automotive press for excellent handling and power.

Engine

The Noble M400 features a transversely-mounted rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The power plant began life as a DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder Ford Duratec V6 engine, as used in the Ford Mondeo ST220. With this engine as a base, Noble fits high-lift camshafts, revised fuel injection, and Garrett AiResearch T28 twin-turbochargers. The M400 has no ABS, no stability control, no traction control, and no air bags. Driver safety comes from a factory racing harness and built-in roll cage.
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 at 6,500 rpm, with a torque figure of at 5,000 rpm. This power and a light weight allow the M400 to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of just over /ton, the figure for which it was named, a 0– of 3.2 seconds and a Dragstrip| time of 11.4 at. Top speed is. The UK automotive TV show Vroom Vroom suggested that the M400 gave Ferrari Enzo performance at a Porsche 911 price.

About

The M400 is the track variant of the M12. Its power-to-weight ratio is over 400 bhp per ton, and is the figure from which its model name derives. It has 425 bhp and has been reported to do 0–60 mph in as little as 2.97 seconds. Car and Driver achieved a 0–60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a 0–100 mph time of 7.52 seconds. Although often listed as 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the M400 generally comes in at 3.2 seconds according to various publications and generally listed amongst the fastest accelerating cars. Noble indicates only that the car is capable of achieving 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds. Its top speed is listed as 185 mph. A top speed of 202 mph has been achieved by Noble's former press officer. Lateral Gs are reported in excess of 1.2. It has both a 3-point seatbelt and a 5-point harness.
The most notable differences from the M12 are the use of forged pistons, T28 turbos, a front anti-roll bar, stiffer springs, different shocks, Pirelli P Zero tyres, a smoother gear shifter, and a slightly narrower central tunnel as the driver now sits a bit more central than previous models. Exterior differences remain subtle. The colour scheme tends to incorporate anthracite wheels, rear wing supports and wing ends but some examples maintain silver wheels and supports. The front splitter is now removed. The main change is the addition of side pods to enhance air into the system and to create a visual impact. Air conditioning is now an £1,995 option and adds to the weight. The interior has an added oil gauge that resides next to the boost one. Additionally the Sparco Alcantara seats and finishings differ to the other Noble's. The Noble M400 won the car of the year award in 2005 for one publication. The M400 is designed to be an outstanding track car that is also pleasant to drive on the road. With just 75 examples made this version is sought after and rare.

Rossion Q1

Noble no longer manufactures the M400. The exclusive dealer for Noble in the US, 1G Racing in Ohio, USA, 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. 0- has dropped from 3.3 seconds to 3.1. Its top speed changed to.