2010 Noble M600 Revealed: 485kW And 1275kg

SPY PHOTOS REVEALED in early June showed that the forthcoming Noble M600 was well on its way to production. This week, Noble has officially revealed images and details of its latest supercar.

Producing 485kW (650hp) from its mid-mounted, Yamaha-tuned, Volvo-sourced 4.4 litre V8 and powering to a top speed of 362km/h (225mph), it seems the wait for the M600 has been worth it.

To keep things under control, the driver has a choice of three power levels. At the twist of a dial, outputs of 335kW, 410kW and 485kW are available. At the highest power setting, the M600 develops 820Nm of torque.

A six-speed Graziano manual transmission is responsible for delivering power from the twin-turbocharged V8 to the rear wheels.

The British supercar draws its name from the 600hp per-tonne power-to-weight ratio, and reels in the 100km/h run in 3 seconds flat. Noble wasn't specific, but it's safe to assume that time comes with the top 485kW power setting engaged.

Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre over the top of the M600's stainless steel chassis, the newest Noble weighs in at 1275kg, with most of that weight resting over the rear axle.

Completely separate to the M12 that preceded it and hugely altered from the M14 and M15 projects kick-started by company founder and former principal Lee Noble, the M600 is the first Noble to utilise V8 power.

With two Garrett turbochargers and a Motec ECU, the Noble M600 proved capable of upwards of 560kW during development. For longevity's sake - and usability - the production model has been detuned.

Propping up the front corners are 19-inch alloy wheels, with the rear getting a pair of 20-inch alloys. Grip comes from Michelin's Pilot Sport tyres.

The M600 - built as a purist's car - features very little in the way of Ferrari-like computer control, with the main driver-assist system being a switchable traction control, deactivated via missile-launch-like switch labeled simply 'TC'.

There is no ESP, and no anti-lock brakes.

“This is a car designed to provide a pure and uncorrupted driving experience that you’re totally in control of,” Noble managing director Peter Boutwood said.

“The driving experience we’ve targeted is closer to that of a Ferrari F40 or a McLaren F1 than those of more modern, more ‘civilised’ supercars. The M600 will do nothing on the driver’s behalf.”

Featuring fixed-rate dampers and steering, along with Alcon brakes - with iron discs and limited servo assistance for increased feedback and ease of modulation - the M600 has been developed with an almost archaic sensibility.

“We tested various paddle-shift systems during the conception of the M600, such as the one on the Ferrari Enzo, and found them all to be pretty unsatisfactory,” Boutwood said.

“A good manual gearbox is just as fast, easier to maintain and gives the driver better control.”

Pricing has taken a leap, with the previous Noble price point of around £50,000-£75,000 (AU$100,000-$150,000) seeing a massive increase.

“Although rumours have suggested that this car will cost much less, we’re expecting the M600 to be priced at around £200,000 ($399,500),” Boutwood said.

“Many of those on the waiting list put deposits on an M14 or M15 in expectation that it would cost £75,000, and it’s only right that we return their money.

"Even allowing for that, we’re expecting the early interest on this car to account for at least a year’s production.”