Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/first-drive-rossion-q1-is-a-supercar-for-the-slightly-rich/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/first-drive-rossion-q1-is-a-supercar-for-the-slightly-rich/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/first-drive-rossion-q1-is-a-supercar-for-the-slightly-rich/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rossion Q1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

"How fast can you take it?" I ask Craig Spuhler, Rossion's technical engineer and my passenger at this particular moment in time. "About 75 mph with an 85 mph exit speed." I was behind the wheel of a Rossion Q1 winding my way up a 270-degree decreasing radius on-ramp that shoots straight onto Florida's I-95. As Spuhler has put more miles on Rossions than anyone else alive, and I'd been in the car all of 15 minutes, I decided that 65 mph was a nice, sane, journalist-safe speed. Even in fourth gear there was enough twin-turbo'd torque to get me to 80 mph by the end of the ramp. Truth is, I could've done the deed at 75 mph in third, if not much, much faster.


Gallery: First Drive: Rossion Q1

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Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich

First Drive: Rossion Q1 is a supercar for the slightly rich originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American Speed FactoryAmericanSpeedFactoryDean RosenDeanRosenfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveNobleNoble M12Noble M400NobleM12NobleM400Q1RossionRossion Q1RossionQ1SupercarThu, 27 Aug 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Noble-based Salica GT comes good. Sort of.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/23/noble-based-salica-gt-comes-good-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/23/noble-based-salica-gt-comes-good-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/23/noble-based-salica-gt-comes-good-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click the picture above for a high-resolution gallery of the Salica GTC Prototype

It's been a year since Salica popped up with its chopped-roof Noble M12 and promises to make a more evil variant. We thought the Bristol, England based company had been maintaining radio silence for a rather long time, so we decided to check in on their progress, and this is what we've found. Still based on the Noble M12, the Salica Cars GT is a highly customizeable version of one of the cottage industry's favorite trackday cars. Looking mean enough to knife you were you to turn your back on it, the GT carries a twin-turbocharged V6 of unknown origin (Nobles have been using Ford Duratec 30s (this is possibly a version of that engine that's been enlarged) spitting out 500 horsepower. The dry-sump V6 (nestled amidships), can also be purchased without the turbochargers, and the GTR and GTC versions of the car carry further engine variants. The GTR ups the wick to 550 horsepower, and the GTC gets a wet-sump 3.0-liter good for 460 horsepower. A further difference between the GTC and other versions is that its turbo V6 is mounted transversely, while the GT and GTR have logitudinal layouts.

All that power and evil looking targa bodywork sum up to an automobile capable of an estimated 3.2 second run to 60 miles-per-hour, on its way to a top speed of 190 mph (again, estimated). Being a small shop, Salica is offering what it calls "bespoke motoring" to its customers. There's a high level of customization available, so that your car doesn't come out looking like the GTC prototype in the pictures. There are no driver aids other than optional traction control and ABS available, making the Salica a pure and possibly terrifying experience. If the deadly-looking GT isn't your style, Salica also offers a variety of modifications for Noble owners, like a fastback conversion and other tweaks. With performance options bound to shrink soon, small shops like Salica may soon be the only way to get exactly what you're looking for.

Gallery: Salica GT


Gallery: Salica Noble Fastback


[Source: Salica]

Noble-based Salica GT comes good. Sort of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom nobleCustomNoblenoblenoble m12noble m400noble modNobleM12NobleM400NobleModroissionsalicasalica gtSalicaGtMon, 23 Feb 2009 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Noble hands over M12 and M400 to 1G Racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/noble-hands-over-m12-and-m400-to-1g-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/noble-hands-over-m12-and-m400-to-1g-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/21/noble-hands-over-m12-and-m400-to-1g-racing/#commentsFiled under: ,



With work is continuing on the successor to the M12 and M400, Noble Automotive has apparently decided to get a quick cash infusion by selling manufacturing rights to those outgoing models to its US distributor, 1g Racing. Hamilton, Ohio based 1g has been the official sales arm for Noble, assembling the vehicles to comply with component car manufacturing standards. This new deal will allow 1g to manufacturer the M12 and M400, but they will have to re-badge and re-name those vehicles by July 15th. They will also be allowed to modify the cars to meet customer needs. Noble will still have full rights to the car in the UK, as well as trademark and naming rights.

Having driven an M400, we can attest to its outrageous performance and great handling, but concede that it needs some slight mods to make it just about perfect. We'd vote for some additional heat shielding as a start. And although the turbo Ford V6 is a powerful and responsive engine, we'd love to see something like a Nissan VQ or high-revving small V8 in the bay as an option.

[Source: Piston Heads]

Noble hands over M12 and M400 to 1G Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1G Racing1gRacingLee NobleLeeNobleNoble AutomotiveNoble M12Noble M400NobleAutomotiveNobleM12NobleM400Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Noble M15 official pics and details]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/noble-m15-official-pics-and-deets/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/noble-m15-official-pics-and-deets/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/noble-m15-official-pics-and-deets/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Noble's new, more mature supercar, the M15, has officially debuted in Europe and WorldCarFans has all the official pics and press release up. Turns out the super coupe looks a little different than the pic we lifted from Top Gear yesterday. It looks to be one mean mama-jama that improves on its predecessor in every way, particularly in luxury and livability. T

he M15 is still a Noble, and as such will generate time-shifting amounts of thrust by combining its 455-bhp, 3.0L twin-turbo six with a curb weight of around 2,645 lbs. Sixty will be hit in less than 3.3 seconds and Noble geared down the car for acceleration so its top speed will be about 185 mph, though with different ratios Noble claims it would easily crack a pair of Franklins.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Noble M15 official pics and details originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>British supercarBritishSupercarNobleNoble M12Noble M15NobleM12NobleM15Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Noble announced new M15 supercar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/noble-announced-new-m15-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/noble-announced-new-m15-supercar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/04/noble-announced-new-m15-supercar/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As one who has ridden shotgun in a Noble M12 around Mid-Ohio Raceway, I can tell you this brand knows how to bake white-knuckle, on-the-edge driving dynamics into every car it produces. According to Top Gear, the new Noble M15 that just debuted across the pond will take Noble's recipe for fun to a new level. Featuring the same twin-turbo, 3.0L V6 producing 455 bhp that debuted in the M14 concept last year, the M15 might be crowned Britain's baddest supercar. The engine is now mounted longitudinally and hooked up to a brand new gearbox packing six speeds for lunch.

Pricing of the new M15 is set at £75,000 ($130,000 USD). Will we see the M15 in the States? There's no official word either way, but the current Noble M12 GTO-3R and M400 are imported into the U.S. less an engine and transaxle by 1G Racing, so there's hope we'll see the M15 here, as well.

[Source: Top Gear]

Noble announced new M15 supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Apr 2006 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NobleNoble M12Noble M15NobleM12NobleM15Tue, 04 Apr 2006 07:01:00 EST