My review: Noble M400 vs Lotus Exige
Well what I can I say about these two, they are probably rated as the 2 best "pure" driver's sports cars the British or any other manufacturer has to offer on the market today. Both manufacturers had similar ideals and goals in mind upon conception of these cars - they must be light as possible, good balance of power and handling that is just out of this world.
First we have the Lotus Exige, well what I can say... I have not had this much fun in a car in quite some time, well not atleast in the sub 2.0 motor category at least. This 1.8 Toyota motor has really impressed me far beyond my wildest expectations, considering that I'm 4100 feet about sea level and this is a normally aspirated engine - all I can say is WOW! The braking on the car is more than adequate, comes to a stop so quickly and effortlessly. The car does not have power steering and nor does it need it, I find it even more fun without the power-assisted steering - you really feel as if you're one with the road. The interior is VERY basic, even more than the Noble (and that's a statement you can't make very often) no carpets, or any simple luxuries that you would even find on a VW Golf. The only things would probably qualify as luxuries, be the electric windows, central locking doors and air-conditioning... suppose you can include the audio system (can't really even hear it, because this car is fitted with a stage 2 exhaust system) and it is LOUD!
Ahhh now we have the Lee Noble's creation, the Noble M400. What a machine! It's also made right here! This 3.0 Ford Mondeo motor has been equipped with two turbochargers and stuck into basically a shell of a car. The result? 0-60 in 3.5! The sound that this car makes while you're just cruising down the highway with it's dump valve going off sends cringes of satisfaction down your spine. The car at wide open throttle is a whole new ball game, you need to be focused 100% to keep this baby under control, otherwise it's just tire spin all the way into 3-4th gear! This Noble is a slightly modified, it's boost has been increased to 1.2 bar instead of the stock 0.85 - which is a little too much in my opinion. The interior is also very plain, basically just what your need on a track. Roll-bar, 4 point harness. The car comes also with air-conditioning, power-assisted steering, audio system. No electric windows on this car too.
The conclusion? Well, it is a tough call. First you have the Lotus, small, agile and much easier to drive around on at track due to it's size. You can hit every apex perfectly! The power is however lacking on the long straights, but it makes up for it in the turns. The Noble, well you can go from 0-100mph faster than a Ferrari F430 and most sports cars for that matter. It also turns on a track like a train on rails, but which one is better than?
I would take the Lotus, you can drive it to the limit more than the Noble. With the Noble, if you're not a particularly experienced driver, it can get you into a lot of trouble. Plus it's just the fun factor, the Lotus for me gives me the same feeling as when I climb into my Cooper S. It just looks so much fun! The Noble, is more serious and agressive - I wonder if I'll make it back home in one piece everytime I get behind the wheel, it really is a toy not to be underestimated!
Now for the pictures!