Noble M15 may get twin-turbo Volvo V8
click above image for high-res gallery of Noble M15
I'm one of the few people in this country who have experienced a Noble on the track. While it was a few years ago and I wasn't the one driving, I can still remember the visceral way in which the car attacked Mid-Ohio Race Course, so much so that my insides are still a bit tender. It's truly one of the least expensive ways to experience a supercar in this country, even if some assembly is required. But some people scoff when the Noble is categorized as a supercar, saying that such a vehicle shouldn't be powered by a 3.0L Duratec V6 from Ford, even it is pumped up by a pair of turbos. Well, how about a twin-turbo V8 from Volvo instead? Noble's newest supercar, the M15, will reportedly be powered by a twin-turbo version of Volvo's 4.4L V8 that normally does suburban reconnaissance missions in the XC90 SUV. Jacked up on force-fed oxygen, Volvo's V8 should produce around 650 horsepower, which is more than enough oomph to slingshot Noble's newest featherweight to ludicrous speed (or 60 MPH) in 3 seconds flat.
[Source: PistonHeads]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aaron B Brown 2:37PM (11/05/2007)
ooooooh, now that's my kind of Volvo, dangerous.
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pd 2:46PM (11/05/2007)
I guess an agreement with Lee Noble keeps the guys at ROSSION from using this engine. Why else would they stick with the Duratech?
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Aaron B Brown 3:12PM (11/05/2007)
At 2755 lbs. may be 2855lbs. accounting for the additional weight of the Volvo powerplant, still with that much power the M15 will have a serious weight advantage over its nearest competitors, Lamborghini's Gallardo, and Ferraris F430, even the Enzo is carrying around the equivalent of a really fat passenger in comparison, near 350 to 400 pounds. Time for the Italians to go on a diet, better stay away from the pasta boys if you wanna hang with the M .
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DelayedZ 3:21PM (11/05/2007)
I'm sad, I liked the Duratec block being in the noble, it was cooler, the fact that they used such a simple motor and made something amazing was awesome, the volvo motor doesn't impress me as much... :(
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MixiM 3:43PM (11/05/2007)
That Volvo-engine is in fact developed by Yamaha, so it's an extremely compact and revvy one! It's great fun even without the extra turbos, it sits in the 2008 S80 also...
The engine now gets a car worthy installing it in =)
Tyo 6:34AM (11/06/2007)
The Yamaha V8is loosely based on the old 3.4l DOHC V8 from the 2nd Gen SHO. so in a way, if you squint and hold it right, its still related to a ford.
Dave 11:22PM (11/05/2007)
Still less performance and more money than an Ultima.
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Sam 1:46AM (11/06/2007)
but four times more comfortable, useable, practical, and looks less like a plastic kit car.
different strokes for different blokes
if i had a choice between the two, it'd be this, it just appeals to me more (except give it the M14 headlights back..)
isso 11:39AM (11/07/2007)
Tyo: The Volvo/Yamaha V8 is related to an ancient ford construction? so? If you press it i guess all cars and engines are related to the t-ford... what is it u wanna say? This engine is so much better than even fords newest engines when it comes to fuel economy and power/size.....
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